[stalag8611]

The P-51B arrived this morning and I've been doing comparisons against Geminis, Dragons and Corgis. First things first: the Malcolm hood does seem too flat. I've never seen the real thing but, from all the photographs I could find of the P-51B/Malcolm hood, it looks as though Corgi didn't get it high enough. Otherwise, the shape of the cockpit, e.g., the rear half-oval windows, looks right on.
As for the length of the nose, I measured the Corgi against the Gemini and if there's a difference it got to fall into the tens of thousandths of an inch. Further, I also measured the Corgi P-51B against the "D" models of Dragon, the benchmark for P-51s, and the noses are of the same length.[Should the A thru D real planes have equal lenth noses? Anyone know the answer?] Lacking electronic measuring instruments I measured as accurately as I could, and the nose issue, in my mind, is now a non-starter. I also compared the "flatness" of the engine cowling to the other manufacturers efforts: it looks to have the same shape as the Gemini, but without scale templates is really too difficult to make a sound conclusion. As for the shape of the lower rudder, in profile the P-51B, the Gemini and the Dragon look identical to me.
Overall, I like what I see and I'm glad I pre-ordered it. Now, if they'd just drop the price by about $15.00.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

The P-51B arrived this morning and I've been doing comparisons against Geminis, Dragons and Corgis. First things first: the Malcolm hood does seem too flat. I've never seen the real thing but, from all the photographs I could find of the P-51B/Malcolm hood, it looks as though Corgi didn't get it high enough. Otherwise, the shape of the cockpit, e.g., the rear half-oval windows, looks right on.
As for the length of the nose, I measured the Corgi against the Gemini and if there's a difference it got to fall into the tens of thousandths of an inch. Further, I also measured the Corgi P-51B against the "D" models of Dragon, the benchmark for P-51s, and the noses are of the same length.[Should the A thru D real planes have equal lenth noses? Anyone know the answer?] Lacking electronic measuring instruments I measured as accurately as I could, and the nose issue, in my mind, is now a non-starter. I also compared the "flatness" of the engine cowling to the other manufacturers efforts: it looks to have the same shape as the Gemini, but without scale templates is really too difficult to make a sound conclusion. As for the shape of the lower rudder, in profile the P-51B, the Gemini and the Dragon look identical to me.
Overall, I like what I see and I'm glad I pre-ordered it. Now, if they'd just drop the price by about $15.00.

I'll give the benefit of the doubt as I don't have this bird in-hand to say differently.. though the reference to Dragon P-51D and Geminis is tough to accept at face value -- I mean if this were true, why then do Corgi's Mustangs look much ... paler... in comparasion to these makes to so many people? (to me there is no comparison with Corgi's and Dragon's D models, for example) Perhaps the measurements/differences are indeed tiny, but perhaps if you add 'em all up therein lies the answer. ?? Dunno. (but a small measurement at this scale can actually be greater than it may seem at face valuem, too...??)

Anyhow, the important thing is that YOU like the model and are HAPPY with your preorder.... and I can can certainly agree with the price point, if that were the case, I wouldn't split hairs on the other aspects...

The scheme is certainly attractive, so I'll never say never! I do like to support The Mule's commission efforts...

I will wait and see if it does eventually come down in price, though. (I've jumped on previous FM commissions only to see them plummet in price, such as the Donnie Boy Jug..) Thanks for your assesment!

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

As for the length of the nose, I measured the Corgi against the Gemini and if there's a difference it got to fall into the tens of thousandths of an inch. Further, I also measured the Corgi P-51B against the "D" models of Dragon, the benchmark for P-51s, and the noses are of the same length.[Should the A thru D real planes have equal lenth noses? Anyone know the answer?] Lacking electronic measuring instruments I measured as accurately as I could, and the nose issue, in my mind, is now a non-starter.

Interesting. What I see when I look at the photos is a difference in the placement of the forward edge of the wing between the Corgi and the Gemini. If you look at the panel line forward of the cockpit that goes down at about 135 degrees or there abouts on the Corgi it terminates in the wing. On the Gemini it terminates at the leading edge. Visually that makes the nose look shorter. Interestingly the Corgi P-51D models have a similar panel line there though it does not go all the way to the wing on the D mould.

[leeG]

Thanks for the review. I plan to do the same comparison next week after the big brown truck arrives. Corgi's p-51B and D versus Dragon's P-51D and Gemini's P-51B (and the EasyModel's D) versus some references I will have access to by then.

Tell me about the plastic turtle deck. Are the half-oval windows clear inserts or is the turtle deck painted clear plastic?

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

Interesting. What I see when I look at the photos is a difference in the placement of the forward edge of the wing between the Corgi and the Gemini. If you look at the panel line forward of the cockpit that goes down at about 135 degrees or there abouts on the Corgi it terminates in the wing. On the Gemini it terminates at the leading edge. Visually that makes the nose look shorter. Interestingly the Corgi P-51D models have a similar panel line there though it does not go all the way to the wing on the D mould.

I think you've nailed it, the Corgi wings do look to be mounted too far forward and that throws everything off. I hope these pics work, Its shows the Gemini wings to be correct if going by the diagonal panel line that comes off the front of the GA wing.
- Shawn

[stalag8611]

Originally Posted by leeG

Thanks for the review. I plan to do the same comparison next week after the big brown truck arrives. Corgi's p-51B and D versus Dragon's P-51D and Gemini's P-51B (and the EasyModel's D) versus some references I will have access to by then.

Tell me about the plastic turtle deck. Are the half-oval windows clear inserts or is the turtle deck painted clear plastic?

The half-oval windows are clear inserts. Through the windows you can see a box shaped object, the radio perhaps, painted dark green.

[stalag8611]

Originally Posted by PappyB

I'll give the benefit of the doubt as I don't have this bird in-hand to say differently.. though the reference to Dragon P-51D and Geminis is tough to accept at face value -- I mean if this were true, why then do Corgi's Mustangs look much ... paler... in comparasion to these makes to so many people? (to me there is no comparison with Corgi's and Dragon's D models, for example) Perhaps the measurements/differences are indeed tiny, but perhaps if you add 'em all up therein lies the answer. ?? Dunno. (but a small measurement at this scale can actually be greater than it may seem at face valuem, too...??)

Anyhow, the important thing is that YOU like the model and are HAPPY with your preorder.... and I can can certainly agree with the price point, if that were the case, I wouldn't split hairs on the other aspects...

The scheme is certainly attractive, so I'll never say never! I do like to support The Mule's commission efforts...

I will wait and see if it does eventually come down in price, though. (I've jumped on previous FM commissions only to see them plummet in price, such as the Donnie Boy Jug..) Thanks for your assesment!

Pappy, the issue I was trying to address was the length of the nose, not the over quality of Corgi v. Gemini v. Dragon. There's no doubt in my mind that Dragon owns the P-51D, I just wish it went together easier. The big issue with the Corgis is the flat engine cowling-it is wrong.

"I mean if this were true, why then do Corgi's Mustangs look much ... paler... in comparasion to these makes to so many people? "

If you (we) can get over that hurdle, many collectors can't, I think the Corgis are OK, not great, but OK.

[jim]

Is it the photos that are misleading, but the panel lines on the Corgi look more like panel grooves?

[butcherbird]

Originally Posted by jim

Is it the photos that are misleading, but the panel lines on the Corgi look more like panel grooves?

I got mine today and yeah, I think the panel lines are exaggerated by the camera.

[1250ships]

Another quick Photoshop job putting Shawn's image of the real bird in between the two models. Remember- different angles and different canopy types so you can only tell so much from these images. Also shrank them a bit to get them to fit hopefully on one screen.



My two cents is that the Gemini is closer to correct though I really do like the polished finish on the Corgi.