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The P-51 is the most famous fighter plane of the American "big three" from W.W.II: those being the P47, P38, and the P51. The P51 owes its rightful place as one of the best fighters due to the innovative design in the low drag airframe and laminar flow wings. The P-51-D represents the typical Mustang configuration. It had a 37-foot wingspan with an area of 233 square feet and was 32 feet 3 inches long. Height was 12 feet 8 inches. The Packard-built Merlin V-1650-7 was capable of delivering 1,695 hp which provided a truly staggering (at the time) top end speed of 437 mph at 25,000 feet. Weights were 7.125 lbs. empty and 10,100 lbs. normal gross, but an additional 2,000 lbs. Could be carried. Internal fuel capacity was 105 gallons, giving a range of 950 miles at 362 mph at 25,000 feet. Armament was six .50 cal. wing-mounted guns with 1,880 total rounds gave it a killer punch. It's good maneuverability at hi speed made more Mustang Pilots aces than any other plane flown by allied forces in W.W.II. Today there are only a very few of the over 15,000 planes built still flying. So help keep them flying, if you know where one is, or any parts please contact us. |
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HOME PAGE | THE MUSTANG LEGEND | MAKING THE "THUNDER MUSTANG" | THUNDER MUSTANG |
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RIGHT: THE XP-51F ONLY 3 WERE BUILT THEY WERE USED FOR WEIGHT TESTING |
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HISTORY |
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One of the most famous fighter groups was the 332nd THEY NEVER LOST A BOMBER THEY WERE ESCORTING |
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THE MUSTANG WAS BUILT IN 17 DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS THE MOST NUMEROUS WAS THE P-51-D-NA 6,502 WERE MADE AT RIGHT IS A XP-51 ONLY TWO WERE BUILT MODEL NA-73 FOR UK DEVELOPMENT |
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TOP: A P-51D TAKES OFF FROM IWO JIMA TO ESCORT B-29 TO JAPAN |
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THIS P-51D IS MOUNTED WITH ROCKETS TO ASSIST TAKE OFF ON SHORT FIELDS. FEW WERE EVER USED. |