1/72 Tamiya Prop Aircraft

Building Classic WWII Warbirds in 1/72 Scale

The 1/72 scale represents the ideal balance for building comprehensive collections of World War II aircraft. Tamiya's engineering excellence ensures that complex propeller-driven aircraft with their intricate engine details, cockpit instrumentation, and authentic panel lines are accurately reproduced while maintaining straightforward assembly suitable for modelers at all experience levels.

American Fighter Legends

The P-51D Mustang represents the pinnacle of American fighter design, combining the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine with North American's sleek airframe to create the war's premier long-range escort fighter. The kit features detailed cockpit with instrument panel decals, optional position canopy, accurate bubble canopy shape, detailed landing gear and wheel wells, optional external fuel tanks, and markings for multiple USAAF squadrons including the famous Tuskegee Airmen.

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt served as the heavyweight champion of American fighters. Both the P-47D Thunderbolt razorback variant and the P-47D Thunderbolt Bubbletop feature detailed radial engine with optional cowling positions, comprehensive cockpit detail, optional position canopy, detailed landing gear, optional external stores including bombs and rockets, and markings for European and Pacific theater aircraft.

The Vought Corsair's distinctive inverted gull wing made it instantly recognizable. The F4U-1A Corsair and F4U-1D Corsair kits capture this powerful naval fighter with detailed cockpit, accurate wing fold mechanism representation, optional position canopy and cowl flaps, detailed landing gear with tail wheel, and markings for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps squadrons.

British Aviation Excellence

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I captures the Battle of Britain's most iconic defender. This early variant features the distinctive two-blade propeller, detailed Merlin engine, authentic elliptical wing shape with fabric-covered control surfaces, detailed cockpit with period-correct instrumentation, optional position canopy, and markings for RAF squadrons during the summer of 1940.

The De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.VI/NF Mk.II represents one of WWII's most versatile aircraft. Built primarily of wood to conserve strategic materials, the Mosquito served as fighter-bomber, night fighter, photo reconnaissance platform, and pathfinder. The kit includes detailed twin Merlin engines, comprehensive cockpit for pilot and navigator, optional armament configurations, radar equipment for night fighter variant, and markings for RAF squadrons in multiple roles.

Luftwaffe Fighters

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 served throughout the war in numerous variants. The Bf109 E-4/7 Battle of Britain variant features the earlier rounded wingtips and detailed Daimler-Benz engine, while the Bf109 G-6 represents the most-produced variant with its more powerful engine, enlarged tail, and underwing gun gondolas. Both kits include detailed cockpit, optional position canopy, accurate panel lines, and comprehensive Luftwaffe markings.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-3 introduced a formidable opponent when it appeared over France in 1941. The kit features detailed BMW radial engine, comprehensive cockpit detail, optional position cowling, accurate wide-track landing gear, and markings for Jagdgeschwader units on the Western and Eastern fronts.

Japanese Naval and Army Aviation

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero dominated the Pacific war's early years. The A6M2b Zero Fighter represents the classic early variant with detailed Sakae radial engine, comprehensive cockpit, optional position canopy, accurate lightweight structure representation, and markings for carrier air groups at Pearl Harbor and Midway. The A6M3 Type 32 features the clipped wingtips and other improvements introduced in 1942.

The Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien Tony was unique among Japanese fighters for its liquid-cooled inline engine, giving it a superficial resemblance to the Bf 109. The kit includes detailed cockpit, accurate inline engine representation, optional position canopy, and markings for home defense units.

The Aichi M6A1 Seiran represents one of WWII's most unusual aircraft—a floatplane designed to be launched from submarines for surprise attacks on the Panama Canal. The kit includes detailed float assembly, folding wing mechanism representation, and authentic markings for this rare aircraft.

Soviet Ground Attack Power

The Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik was produced in greater numbers than any other combat aircraft in history. Known as the "flying tank" for its armored cockpit, the IL-2 devastated German armor and infantry on the Eastern Front. The kit features detailed armored cockpit tub, comprehensive cockpit for pilot and rear gunner, accurate inline engine, optional underwing rockets and bombs, and Soviet Air Force markings.

Tamiya Quality and Historical Accuracy

Since 1946, Tamiya has maintained the highest standards in scale model manufacturing. These 1/72 propeller aircraft kits feature precision injection molding with crisp panel lines, engineered fit requiring minimal filler, detailed cockpits with instrument panel decals, clear parts for canopies molded in crystal-clear plastic, optional position canopies and cowlings on most kits, comprehensive decal sheets by Cartograf with multiple marking options, and detailed instructions with color painting guides.

The 1/72 scale allows builders to create impressive squadron displays or collections representing different theaters and air forces without requiring extensive display space. Panel lines are finely engraved for realistic appearance, and the smaller scale actually makes certain weathering techniques easier to execute convincingly.

Finishing Your Tamiya Warbirds

Achieve authentic period finishes with Tamiya Paints, including accurate colors for RAF, USAAF, Luftwaffe, and Japanese camouflage schemes. Add realistic operational wear with Tamiya Weathering products to replicate exhaust staining, gun blast residue, paint chipping, and field maintenance. Optimize your paint application with Tamiya thinners and cleaners.

Expand your aviation collection with additional kits from our 1/72 Aircraft, Tamiya Aircraft, and WWII Aircraft collections, covering all combatant nations and aircraft types from the Second World War.