Rutman P-51B poll

[BiggTim]

I am considering (I said CONSIDERING) reproducing Jerry Rutman's P-51B kit, with his blessing, of course. Before I attempt it, I want to gauge interest, since it would require a ton of time and expense to set up. So here's what I'm thinking:

 

It would likely be a limited run of say....25 kits to start with, because that's likely the life span of the first set of molds (and I'm being generous). Due to the time it would take to produce, it would probably cost 100+ USD. It would NOT include the white metal landing gear or the PE parts Jerry originally included, as the cost would be too high to make those for such a limited run. I would likely include a set of resin LG with the kit, but would probably ask Damian to make a set of his exceptional landing gear especially for this kit if the buyer wanted. It would also include the vac-form canopies, both standard and malcolm. 

 

Otherwise, it would be a faithful re-pop of Jerry's original kit cast in new gray resin just like my other products. Exactly as he made it, with no re-working or corrections beyond the very basic items necessary to make new masters. I love Jerry's work, and I would love to see this kit come back to life to preserve the awesome art form of scratch building the old fashioned way. 

 

If you would buy one, please vote.

Edited March 13 by BiggTim

[D Bellis]

IMHO, it's not worthy of reintroducing the kit.

 

I have that kit, and have concluded first-hand that the Rutman P-51B kit is undoubtedly a hybrid of the Revell B and Hasegawa D kits. The main issue with Rutman's hybrid is that both of those base kits suffer from a fuselage that is about 3/16" too wide. There's no fixing or correcting that, and the entire canopy area suffers as a result. Plus, the shapes of the wings, stabilizers and fin/rudder were not corrected from the Revell B offering, either. 

 

Best to leave that one for the nostalgists and wait for either ZM or Eduard's promises to come to fruition.

 

HTH,

D

[Rob Owens]

". . .to preserve the awesome art form of scratch building the old fashioned way." Really? There two resources at play here: money & time.  If I wanted a 1/32 P-51B/C (The Houstonian Bendix Trophy racer) I'd sooner pay more for an accurate plastic kit, or what's more likely, a 3D print. I have a dearth of time. . .

[BiggTim]

12 hours ago, D Bellis said:

IMHO, it's not worthy of reintroducing the kit.

 

I have that kit, and have concluded first-hand that the Rutman P-51B kit is undoubtedly a hybrid of the Revell B and Hasegawa D kits. The main issue with Rutman's hybrid is that both of those base kits suffer from a fuselage that is about 3/16" too wide. There's no fixing or correcting that, and the entire canopy area suffers as a result. Plus, the shapes of the wings, stabilizers and fin/rudder were not corrected from the Revell B offering, either. 

 

Best to leave that one for the nostalgists and wait for either ZM or Eduard's promises to come to fruition.

 

HTH,

D

 

11 hours ago, Rob Owens said:

". . .to preserve the awesome art form of scratch building the old fashioned way." Really? There two resources at play here: money & time.  If I wanted a 1/32 P-51B/C (The Houstonian Bendix Trophy racer) I'd sooner pay more for an accurate plastic kit, or what's more likely, a 3D print. I have a dearth of time. . .

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input!!

[Troy Molitor]

What D Bellis said.   x 10.  A stop gap effort not worth your valued time Tim.  

[gerry1]

I'm sure there are members who would want the kit reproduced despite the wider fuselage and some of the other discrepancies.  A suggestion would be to make the kit for the people who want one.  Maybe require a minimum deposit of US $50.00 or so for the members who are serious about wanting this kit reproduced.  

[Reuben L. Hernandez]

Although it would be nice, but with Eduard hinting at a P-51B in the pipe line, it would be just a waste of your time and effort. Of course I say this with two of Jerry's kits in the stash. 🤪

[williamj]

On 4/22/2025 at 7:54 AM, Reuben L. Hernandez said:

Although it would be nice, but with Eduard hinting at a P-51B in the pipe line, it would be just a waste of your time and effort. Of course I say this with two of Jerry's kits in the stash. 🤪

  I have been hearing about a P-51 B or C in the works for the last 20+ years, LOL.  

Thing is it would be a money make for sure, but...still waiting, still wishing.

Edited April 23 by williamj

[Juggernut]

2 hours ago, williamj said:

  I have been hearing about a P-51 B or C in the works for the last 20+ years, LOL.  

Thing is it would be a money make for sure, but...still waiting, still wishing.

Your wait is almost over.  Eduard has announced 1/32 P-51B, likely to be released in 2026.  No cad images or details yet but it has been confirmed by the people in charge at Eduard.

[Reuben L. Hernandez]

13 hours ago, williamj said:

  I have been hearing about a P-51 B or C in the works for the last 20+ years, LOL.  

Thing is it would be a money make for sure, but...still waiting, still wishing.

The "Old Man" at ZM has also hinted at producing a P-51B/C. Like you, still waiting and hoping for a mainstream, injection molded accurate kit.

[Aptivaboy]

Yes!!! I have one in the stash, but the more the merrier. Jerry was nice enough to sell me a Malcolm Hood as well, so I hope we'd see that, too. 

 

Any chance of his F-4/F-5 Lightning conversions coming back? I also have his P-47 fuselage, I just need the Revell wings. Good times. 

 

Bob 

Edited May 16 by Aptivaboy

[BiggTim]

On 5/15/2025 at 8:03 PM, Aptivaboy said:

Yes!!! I have one in the stash, but the more the merrier. Jerry was nice enough to sell me a Malcolm Hood as well, so I hope we'd see that, too. 

 

Any chance of his F-4/F-5 Lightning conversions coming back? I also have his P-47 fuselage, I just need the Revell wings. Good times. 

 

Bob 

Thanks, and yes, the F-4/F-5 conversions are in the works. I am currently trying to remaster the early P-38 set in order to make those possible.