Pavla

Vacuum Formed Canopies P/TP-51D Mustang For the Academy & Tamiya kits

Stock Number: V 72-60

Reviewed By  Clare Wentzel, IPMS# 1096

MSRP: $4.44 www.pavlamodels.cz Most of us are familiar with Pavla of the Czech Republic as a manufacturer of aircraft kits. Their kits have tended to resemble cottage industry kits in the thickness of sprue connections but they usually include sufficient resin parts to enable the modeler to product an acceptable model. Their kits are usually of the more rare subjects. That makes them interesting, to me at least. Based on their skills with resin additions to their model kits, Pavla also offer some detailed cockpit sets, aircraft accessories, armor accessories and ejection seats. Some of the cockpit sets have included vacuum-formed canopies as well. The logical extension is for them to also offer vacuum-formed canopies separately. Probably most of these parts are sold in Europe. This review sample covers canopies for the P-51D and TP-51D Mustang. The kit includes four examples of the rear canopy, three for the P-51 and one for the TP-51, and two samples of the front windshield. Each of the three rear canopies for the P-51 are slightly different in shape to represent some of the more bulged variations of the P-51. The rear canopy for the TP-51 allows the modeler to make not only this version but also some of the two seat civil Mustangs with the long canopy. Many of us modelers use vacuum-formed canopies as a replacement for the injection-molded canopies from time to time. They can replace a damaged part or a kit part that is so thick that it does not look realistic. Also, and the main reason that I have used them, is to provide a model with the canopy open to show off the work that you have done on the interior. The modeler has been provided these replacement canopies by after market manufacturers for many years. Squadron and Falcon have been providing very acceptable vacuum-formed canopies. These parts by Pavla provide the modeler with another acceptable source. The three different P-51 versions provide some additional options for the modeler. The higher bulged versions may be appropriate for photo-recon versions of the P-51 and the TP-51 version gives the modeler a chance to scratch-build a two-seat version of the Mustang. A close inspection of the samples showed a couple of molding flaws on the TP-51 version. On the plus side, one of the P-51 canopies shows the roller location where the antenna goes through the canopy. I would like to thank Pavla for supplying these samples. They offer the modeler an acceptable alternative supplier of these parts. The only concern is, as always, the modeler should inspect the parts before buying to make sure that all of the parts are cleanly formed. Recommended for modelers who need these parts.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.