{"product_id":"hobby-master-ha7727-1-48-p-51d-mustang-usaaf-357th-fg-passion-wagon-1945","title":"Hobby Master HA7727 1:48 P-51D Mustang USAAF 357th FG Passion Wagon 1945","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA magnificent 1:48 scale diecast replication capturing a decorated long-range escort fighter complete with historic wartime nose art.\u003c\/strong\u003e This premium model by Hobby Master (HA7727) replicates the definitive North American P-51D Mustang (#44-13691), famously christened \"Passion Wagon\" while serving with the USAAF 357th Fighter Group, 362nd Fighter Squadron in 1945. The aircraft was originally piloted by Major Arval Roberson, who completed his tour of duty with 6 victories behind its controls, featuring a provocative nude nose art layout applied by mechanic Bob Child that stood as the very first female design applied within the unit. The fighter was subsequently re-assigned to Captain Charles \"Chuck\" Weaver, who preserved the iconic pin-up girl nose art. Captain Weaver went on to achieve Ace status in the aircraft, downing four Bf-109s, three Fw-190s, and one Me-262. Originally designed to fulfill a British RAF requirement for a multi-role fighter-bomber and reconnaissance platform, the P-51 first took flight on October 26, 1940. While at least eight variants were produced, it was the bubble-canopy P-51D that stood as the definitive version, utilizing a powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin engine to deliver tremendous performance gains as a long-range bomber escort that the Truman Senate War Investigating Committee declared \"the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReleased under Hobby Master's Air Power Series, this large 1:48 scale model is constructed almost entirely from solid diecast metal with an intelligent use of high-quality plastic components. The sliding canopy smoothly opens to expose a fully detailed cockpit interior, complete with pad-printed flight controls, a realistic instrument panel, and radio equipment boxes. Key operational highlights include an all-metal propeller assembly that spins freely, alongside fully functional, movable wing flaps and an adjustable radiator cowling. Fine structural touches include separately applied metal engine exhaust stacks featuring six flanged pipes on each side, paired with high-fidelity pad-printed rivets visible across the flaps, engine cowling, and rudder surfaces. Complete with modular landing gear and gear doors engineered as a single drop-in subassembly for quick ground configurations, this premium warbird includes a selection of wing-mounted external fuel tanks and ordnance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFact Sheet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hobby Master\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Air Power Series\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel code:\u003c\/strong\u003e HA7727\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e North American P-51D Mustang\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial\/Tail Code:\u003c\/strong\u003e #44-13691\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose Art \/ Nickname:\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Passion Wagon\" (Later \"Gypsy\")\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilots:\u003c\/strong\u003e Major Arval Roberson \u0026amp; Captain Charles \"Chuck\" Weaver\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e USAAF 357th Fighter Group, 362nd Fighter Squadron (357th FG, 362nd FS)\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1945 (World War II Era)\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:48\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Diecast Metal with Plastic Parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Authentic Bob Child pin-up girl nose art graphics, sliding cockpit canopy with interior instruments, free-spinning metal propeller, movable wing flaps and radiator cowl, separately applied 6-pipe flanged metal exhaust stacks, pad-printed rivets, modular landing gear subassembly, detachable under-wing fuel tanks and ordnance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eModel Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8\" or 20.3 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e 9.25\" or 23.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - Excellent (8\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModel is in excellent condition overall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight handling marks are present on the underside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTiny area of paint loss present on the underside of the horizontal stabiliser.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome light paint bubbling is present, but this is not major.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll noted defects have been marked with a red arrow in the photos.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Very Good (7\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBox is in very good condition for its age, with shelf wear present to the edges and corners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhotographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n","brand":"Hobby Master","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57628285632894,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/IMG_3129.jpg?v=1782927522","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/hobby-master-ha7727-1-48-p-51d-mustang-usaaf-357th-fg-passion-wagon-1945","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}