The North American P-51 C Mustang was first introduced into service with the United States Army Air Force in August 1943.  Eventually 15 fighter groups that were part of the 8th & 9th Air Forces in England and the 12th & 15th Air Forces in Italy were equipped with the P-51 C Mustang.  While not as famous as the definitive P-51 D Mustang variant, approximately 1,750 P-51 Cs were produced during World War II.  P-51 C's were forever made famous due to their association with the famed" Tuskegee Airmen".  Following the end of World War II, many surplus P-51 Mustangs, including the C variant, which is the subject of this scaled model, were purchased by civilian pilots for as little as $350.  These civilian P-51 C Mustangs were used as personal aircraft while others were modified for air racing.  Two of the more famous civilian P-51 Cs were flown by noted air race pilots Paul Mantz and Jacqueline Cochran.  Paul Mantz was also a stunt pilot and at the end of World War II purchased a total of 475 war-surplus bombers and fighters.  Most of Paul Mantz's aircraft were scraped but he did end up retaining 12 aircraft for his film work.  One of these aircraft, a P-51 C, was extensively modified by Mantz and went on to win the Bendix trophy race for an unprecedented three consecutive years (1946-1948).  Jacquelin Cochran was a pioneer American aviator who was considered one of the most gifted racing pilots of her era.  During World War II, Cochran became the director of women's flight training for the United States Army Air Force supervising the training of more than 1,000 female pilots during the war.  Post war, Cochran went on to become the first female pilot to enter the Bendix Trans-continental Race and also became the first female pilot to break the sound barrier in a Canadair F-86 Sabre jet borrowed from the Royal Canadian Air Force.  To this day, Cochran holds more distance and speed records than any other pilot living or dead, male or female.  This highly detailed 60 piece P-51 C Mustang (Transcontinental Race) scaled model includes the following features: 1) Authentic markings for two different aircraft: A) North American P-51 C-1-NA NX-1204 as piloted in the Bendix Trophy Race by Stanly Reaver & displayed by in the Mantz Museum & B) North American P-51 B-1-NA NX-28388 as piloted by Jackie Cochran in the 1946 & 1948 Bendix Trophy races; 2) Detailed cockpit; 3) Optional Clear plastic canopies (standard or Malcom hood); 4) Optional tires (weighted & un-weighted); 5) Protected clear parts; 6) Recessed panel lines; 7) Painting guide and 8) Illustrated assembly instructions.  The box is in new condition.  Never started and factory sealed.