-The North American P-51 Mustang-

As the bombers of the Eighth Air Force flew deeper into the heartland of Germany, the North American P-51 Mustang was the "little friend" that cleared the skies of any opposition. It's combination of long - range and high altitude performance made the aircraft the perfect chioce for this escort mission. Once the bombers were free from harm, it also could loiter in the area long enough to take on all comers. More Mustang pilots (281) qualified for ace status (five air to air victories or more) than in any other allied aircraft, and one version was the fastest piston - powered fighter of it's day with a top speed of 472 m.p.h. Originally ordered by the RAF as a replacement for their obsolete P-40 Warhawks, the low - drag laminar - flow wing was largely responsible for the Mustang's agility and the Packard (US-built Rolls - Royce)Merlin engine was responsible for it's amazing speed.
Many aces flew the Mustang to victory, including Col. Charles Yeager (who later went on to be the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound, ) Don Gentile(15 victories), Leonard "Kit" Carson (18 victories) and it was the mount of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.Of all the aircraft that saw action during the war, there are a good number of P-51s that have survived to this day, many in flying condition.
Col. Ilfrey carried the name "Happy Jack's Go Buggy" over to his new P-51D-5-NA when the squadron converted over. This aircraft was s/n: 44-13761, and it's squadron code was MC-I.

View the P-51 Mustang's cockpit

Specifications For The P-51D Mustang

-Manufacturer: North American Aviation (USA)
-Crew: One (1)
-Wingspan: 37 ft.
-Length: 32 ft., 3in.
-Height: 13 ft., 8 in.
-Weight: (empty) 7,125 lbs. (loaded) 11,600 lbs.
-Armament:6 x .50 Cal. Browning Machine Guns (Mounted in wings)
-Max. Speed: 437 m.p.h.
-Service Ceiling: 41,900 ft.
-Range: 2,300 miles
-Powerplant: One (1) Packard V-1650-7 12 cylinder engine,
liquid cooled and creating 1,720hp
-First Flight:
-Versions Created:


A Merlin engine on display at the Mighty 8th.AF Heritage Museum, Savannah, Georgia

#-view

Stall speeds for the P-51

WHERE SURVIVING P-51 MUSTANGS CAN BE FOUND

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Unless otherwise noted, all content © copyright The Art of Syd Edwards 1998-1999. All rights reserved and reproduction is prohibited.

 

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