21c Retooled P-51 Reviews??

[scbvideoboy]

When 21C came out with the original Me 109 and P-51, I looked at both and went with the Me 109. Never did buy S1 P-51.

So when I saw the new ones, I bought the RidgeRunner. At WM.

Now when they say "retool" just how much is made new? With the above review, some of the cockpit has been redone, and some minor corrections but the absence of even an attempt to add a radiator strikes me as using original S1 tooling.
The Me 109 S1 had no inside radiator pieces either.

I have 2 P-51's one BBi and the 21c one.

I'm not likely to buy anymore unless there is a B/C model made. I always liked the revell P-51 C(?) with the malcolm canopy.

DH

[scbvideoboy]

I will say they seem to be a good seller, as the 4 that arrived at WM a few weeks ago are all gone.

DH

[MightyMustang]

Well, I finally recieved my 21c retooled P-51 this past Tuesday, and after having spent time with it for a few days, will contribute my own review to this thread

I got "The Flying Undertaker" scheme. I really like the paintscheme and its nice to see a P-51 that doesn't have the invasion stripes and that is from the Pacific theater. I like the use of fewer rivets as it makes the plane look "faster" in a way. The riveting on actual P-51s was not as visible as on the BBI version. The bent props do not bother me and are not nearly as extreme as they have been made out to be, IMHO. There was alot more stenciling on the exterior than I would have thought, though it doesn't approach the amount seen on the 21c F-104, let alone the BBI P-51. The aircraft looks good sitting on its forward-raked main gear and correct tail wheel. The wing dihedral is also the best I've seen on a 1:18 P-51. The moving control surfaces are a plus and are not too loose.

I was disappointed with the cockpit detail, however. While it is a vast improvement over the origional 21c P-51, the BBI version exceeds it by far! I was quite shocked to see that the instruments went unpainted and that the gunsight was silver instead of clear plastic as on the BBI plane. The seat, side controls, and radio were done well, however, and I also liked the larger controlstick. When the radiator flap under the cockpit is opened, there is no radiator grill as seen on the BBI P-51 (and the radiators of other 21c WWII aircraft). The figure was decent and can sit on its parachute, though the BBI P-51 pilot (as usual) is better. The doors for the main landing gear were also a little loose, though I fixed that problem. A little weathering, especially around the exhaust pipes, guns, and ammo chutes would have been nice.

In the end, this is a good renditioning of the P-51 Mustang, though it does not offer any significant improvement over the BBI P-51 - save only with the landing gear. Its detail, while good, is not up to par with other current 21c aircraft such as the BF-109G or F-104. I am sincerely hoping the Avenger will not follow the lead of this 21c release and keep with the pattern set by the above aircraft. Nonetheless, I will enjoy this P-51 and it looks quite good hanging from my ceiling (chasing the BBI Zero) or sitting on my display table

Great review tman and what you wrote is precisely why I'm passing on the 21st Mustang. I also passed on it because I just think BBI did a better job. But hey dont get me wrong its a major improvement over 21st's first series release hands down. I dont think you will have to worry though about the Avenger. I think its gonna be the BEST 1/18th ac ever made. 21st has put to much time and effort for it not to be.

[tmanthegreat]

When 21C came out with the original Me 109 and P-51, I looked at both and went with the Me 109. Never did buy S1 P-51.

So when I saw the new ones, I bought the RidgeRunner. At WM.

Now when they say "retool" just how much is made new? With the above review, some of the cockpit has been redone, and some minor corrections but the absence of even an attempt to add a radiator strikes me as using original S1 tooling.
The Me 109 S1 had no inside radiator pieces either.

DH

Almost the entire plane is made new over the origional 21c P-51. The origional 21c P-51 was the first ever WWII aircraft in 1:18 and was designed more as a toy. It did not have the rear radiator flap at all and none of the control surfaces moved. If you have purchased a 32x P-51D, then you will have a very good idea of what the origional XD Mustang looked like. The retooled version is far better, but still lacks in some respects to other new 21c aircraft and the BBI P-51.

Here's some pictures off the internet for comparison:

Origional 21c P-51D


Retooled 21c P-51D
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BBI P-51D


...and I agree with MightyMustang that the 21c Avenger should have far better workmanship than the retooled P-51. I have a feeling the P-51 was sort of an interm project (to keep us collectors satiated) and to give 21c a chance to reneg on one of their least-accurate aircraft

[scbvideoboy]

From that picture of the BBi P-51 looks almost Over- weathered

I'm sure a lot of repaints and re issues are to keep sales moving while new projects are being worked on and there is aways new collectors and enthustists buying up the available planes and vehicles.

And P-51's are guaranteed sellers.

DH

[p51]

Yeah, I've always agreed Killer was a bit overweathered. Especially being around Mustangs so much and seeing how they can get dirty.

I just got the Flying Undertaker, and I love it. IMO, it has more of the 'Mustang Look' than BBi's version. Granted, I've seen them flying formation with me during air-to-air shoots, so I have unique perspective of Mustangs most people don't ever see. I cannot wait to shoot photos of her once I get to feeling a bit better. I will make sure to do a Lou IV, Killer, and Flying Undertaker comparison photo series. This is the best P-51 in the series so far IMO... and that comes from my experience with P-51D Mustangs, not my love of 21st CT Aircraft.

[tmanthegreat]

The 21c P-51 does indeed catch the "fast" look of the plane whether its sitting on its landing gear or hanging from the ceiling - and its not just the slightly bent props

[Lefty]

Got my 21C Ridge Runner today - can't decide whether I like this one or Flying Undertaker the best (both look great) but I do know that they are already 2 of my most favorite planes in my entire collection. Can't wait to get it hung from my ceiling!

Now I'm anxiously wondering and waiting to see what the "Tender Terror" 4 for Victory prize plane is gonna look like!!!

[Bruzzer]

I shuffled a few planes around and 3 more Mustangs up. I really like the look of the Petie but Ridgerunner looks good too.

[Teamski]

I shuffled a few planes around and 3 more Mustangs up. I really like the look of the Petie but Ridgerunner looks good too.

Wow, what a formation!! I just got back from visiting family in Milwaukee, and I finally got a Ridge Runner there that I can't find in DE. I really like the look of the plane, personally. While I am a weathering fan, I like the 21st version a bit better than bbi. The lines of the plane look better, IMHO. I hope I can find another one soon!

I dropped by the USAF museum on the way back and I am just blown away. That museum is just incredible!

-Ski

[Shin Densetsu]

So the only thing the new tooled stang's got over the BBI release is the dihedral and intake?

I am tempted to buy one but I decided to wait till the definitive new tool XD Mustang comes out(the one with the gun lockers). The reason I am not buying the current new tool XD stang's is because I like my BBI one so much and there doesn't seem to be too much difference/much incentive for me to buy the new stang just yet.

But see the gun lockers will make a huge difference and stick out when compared to the BBI one, so I am definitely waiting for that.

Does anyone know what colors the gun locker stang will have, and when the release date is? And how is the pilot? I love the BBI figures, but the cobra or CIA pilot from 21st that I got with my cobra wasn't to my tastes(limbs don't like to stay in sockets).

[vulgarvulture]

There are 3 Undertakers at the Concord, CA HobbyTown USA. $49/ea.

Having seen this plane for the first time in person, I have to agree that the bent prop is a distraction, albeit a minor one.

[tmanthegreat]

Thats cool you Hobbytown got the new Mustangs in - I don't think my store a ways south of you in Fresno has gotten them yet - if ever. They used to carry a great selection of XD, but I think they have stopped stocking it due to poor sales. Then again, what do you expect when most of the planes in their stock are the S1 red nose BF-109G6 and FW-190s, which moved even slower at Wal Mart and for $10 less!

To get back on topic, I didn't think the bent props really detracted from the model. They certainly weren't as bad as they were made out to be, IMHO.

[p51]

Agreed. I don't often look at the Mustang in a profile view, especially when I hang them in dramatic flying positions... and in that angle is to me what makes the 21st retool better than the BBi one.

[Sabrefan]

Has the "Petie 2nd" version of the 21st Century P-51 reached Wal-Mart yet? Thanks.

[tko211]

Petie 2nd is a NO GO to Wally! Look to on-line only on this bad boy. The main stream public would frown down on the "correct victory markings" featured on the side. Mine is on on the way as we speak.

it will make lucky number 62 in the 1:18 scale airforce.