P-51 Mustang I
„Razorback“

Der bekannteste US-amerikanische Jäger des Zweiten Weltkrieges wurde aufgrund einer englischen Ausschreibung im April 1940 entwickelt. Das Projekt hieß NA73X und war bereit nach 120 Tagen abgeschlossen. Die verspätete Lieferung des Allison-Triebwerks verzögerte den Jungfernflug um 2 Monate. Am 26. Oktober 1940 war es so weit. Die Begutachtung verlief problemlos, so dass das erste serienmäßige Exemplar (Mustang Mk. I) bereits am 1. Mai 1941 flog.
 

Die P-51 Mustang flog 1942 ihren ersten Einsatz für die britische Luftwaffe, die ihn im Rahmen der amerikanischen alliierten Waffenhilfe gegen die Achsenmächte erhalten hatte. Das Ursprungsmodell erwies sich bei niedriger Flughöhe als sehr effizient, doch die Leistung der Triebwerke fiel ab 3500m stark. Deswegen setzte die RAF die Mustang Mk. I hauptsächlich als Aufklärer und für Bodenangriffe ein. Die mit einem Allison Triebwerk ausgestattete Grundversion war den gegnerischen Bf-109 oder FW-190 unterlegen, diente jedoch als Basismodell für die späteren Varianten. Von der USAAC eingesetzte und geschätzte Mustang (als Version XP-51 bekannt) wurde mit einem Rolls-Royce-Merlin Triebwerk ausgestattet. Diese Änderung erhöhte die Leistungsfähigkeit so dramatisch, dass bald darauf  die Versionen P-51A, B und C in großen Stückzahl produziert wurden.
 

Dieser "erste" P-51 leistete der amerikanischen Luftwaffe ausgezeichnete Dienste bei Einsätzen im Mittelmeerraum und im Fernen Osten.

Die 11. Version, die Mustang P-51D mit tropfenförmigen Dach und sechs Maschinengewehren war die am meisten gebaute und erfolgreichste Version. Sie war bei der USAF bis 1957 und in vielen anderen Ländern bis in die Sechzigerjahre in Betrieb. Es wurden insgesamt 26 Mustangversionen gebaut.

Technische Daten:
Länge 9,83 m; Flügelspannweite 11,28 m; Höchstgeschwindigkeit: 604 km/h; Reichweite 1600 km; Bewaffnung:
britische Version (Mustang I) 4 x 12,70 mm Maschinengewehre und 4 x 7,62mm Maschinengewehre; amerikanische Version (P-51) 4 x 20mm Kanonen; 2 x Bomben zu 227 kg.

Einsatzländer: über 50

 

P-51 MUSTANG

The Mustang turned out to be one of the War winners. In all respects a good to excellent aircraft, coupled with an extraordinary range. It's beginnings can be traced to a British requirement for a fighter, placed in the USA. Originally the British wanted to buy the Curtiss P-40, but since their production capacity was to heavily taxed at the time, they turned toward North American. Experience with the North American BT-9 trainer (or North American NA-19) had satisfied the British, hence the approach to North American. Also, North American had spare production capacity to offer at the time, which meant that the British would see their aircraft coming in faster and earlier. North American didn't want to build the P-40 however, and offered their own design instead, which could be built equally fast. The design they had in mind had already been worked upon, and had advanced features such as a laminar-flow wing, and a coolant duct under the fuselage that not reduced but in fact increased the speed of the aircraft because of the thrust of the coolant air that left the system.
The British were convinced by this design, and in May 1940 ordered one prototype, the NA-73X, to be delivered in January 1941. The prototype was completed in 122 days, of which 20 days had been lost due to a slow delivery of the engine.


The British favoured liquid cooled engines, and the only engine available in the USA was the Allison V-1710-F3R Vee, rated at 1,150 hp (856 kW). The inadequate supercharger resulted in low performance at higher altitudes, although the NA-73 had adequate performance on low altitudes.

Version list:

·         North American P-51A Mustang

·         North American P-51B-1 Mustang

·         North American P-51C Mustang

·         North American P-51D Mustang

·         North American P-51H Mustang

·         Other North American P-51 Mustang versions

·         North American Mustang versions for the RAF

·         North American F-6 versions

·         North American A-36 Apache versions

·         Australian (Commonwealth) built Mustang version



North American P-51D, 2 wings in formation
 North American P-51D, 2 wings in formation

Technical data on the North American P-51A Mustang

Powerplant

1 × Allison V-1710-81 Vee, rated at 1200 hp (894.59 kW)

 

Role during war
bullet Air superiority Fighter
bullet Fighter
bullet (Ground) Attack Fighter
bullet Fighter-bomber
bullet Reconnaissance Aircraft

Length

32 ft 3 inch

 

Height

12 ft 2 inch

Empty weight

6550 lb

 

Operational weight

8800 lb typical

Wing Span

37 ft 0 inch

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.88

Wing Area

233 sq ft

 

Service ceiling

31350 ft

Maximum speed

390 mph at 20000 ft

 

Cruising speed

unknown

Initial climb rate

2,300 ft per min,
Climb to 20,000 ft in 9 min 6 sec

 

Range

750 miles typical,
1250 miles max

Fuel capacity internal

150 Imp gal (180 US gal)

 

Fuel capacity external

Up to 250 Imp gal (300 US gal) in two 125 Imp gal (150 US gal) or 62 Imp gal (75 US gal) drop tanks

Machine guns
bullet 2 × 0.50 inch Browning MG53 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 350 rounds each (inboard pair)
bullet 2 × 0.50 inch Browning MG53 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 280 rounds each (outboard pair)

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

Up to 1,000 lb of disposables carried on 2 under wing hardpoints, rated at 500 lb each. Generally it consisted of 2 × 500, 325, 250, or 100 lb bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

-

Crew

1

 

Naval or ground based

Ground

First flight (prototype)

26 October 1940

 

Operational Service

April 1942 - 1960's

Manufacturer

North American Aviation, Inc

 

Number produced

15.576 total, 310 this version

 

Metric system

Length

9.83 m

 

Height

3.71 m

Empty weight

2971 kg

 

Operational weight

3992 kg typical

Wing Span

11.28 m

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.88

Wing Area

21.65 m²

 

Service ceiling

9555 m

Maximum speed

628 km/h at 6096 m

 

Cruising speed

unknown

Initial climb rate

701 m per min,
Climb to 6.095 m in 9 min 6 sec

 

Range

1207 km typical,
2012 km max

Fuel capacity internal

681 liters

 

Fuel capacity external

Up to 1.136 liters in two 568 liters or 284 liters drop tanks

Machine guns
bullet 2 × 12,7 mm Browning MG53 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 350 rounds each (inboard pair)
bullet 2 × 12,7 mm Browning MG53 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 280 rounds each (outboard pair)

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

Up to 454 kg of disposables carried on 2 under wing hardpoints, rated at 227 kg each. Generally it consisted of 2 × 227, 148, 113, or 45 kg bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

-

 

Technical data on the North American P-51B Mustang

Powerplant

1 × Packard V-1650-3, rated at 1,400 hp (1.044 kW), or a maximum combat emergency power, rated at 1620 hp (1207.69 kW)

 

Role during war
bullet Air superiority Fighter
bullet Fighter
bullet (Ground) Attack Fighter
bullet Fighter-bomber
bullet Reconnaissance Aircraft

Length

32 ft 3 inch

 

Height

8 ft 8 inch

Empty weight

6840 lb

 

Operational weight

9200 lb typical,
11200 lb max

Wing Span

37 ft 0.25 inch

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.88

Wing Area

233 sq ft

 

Service ceiling

42000 ft

Maximum speed

440 mph at 30000 ft

 

Cruising speed

343 mph at 25000 ft

Initial climb rate

Climb to 20,000 ft in 7 min 0 seconds

 

Range

810 miles typical,
2200 miles max

Fuel capacity internal

unknown

 

Fuel capacity external

unknown

Machine guns

4 × 0.50 inch Browning MG53-2 guns, with 280 rounds for the inboard pair, and 350 for the outboard pair

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

up to 2,000 lb on 2 hardpoints, generally being 2 × 1,000 lb or 500 lb bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

-

Crew

1

 

Naval or ground based

Ground

First flight (prototype)

26 October 1940

 

Operational Service

April 1942 - 1960's

Manufacturer

North American Aviation, Inc

 

Number produced

15.576 total, 1.988 this version

 

Metric system

Length

9.83 m

 

Height

2.64 m

Empty weight

3103 kg

 

Operational weight

4173 kg typical,
5080 kg max

Wing Span

11.28 m

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.88

Wing Area

21.65 m²

 

Service ceiling

12802 m

Maximum speed

708 km/h at 9144 m

 

Cruising speed

552 km/h at 7620 m

Initial climb rate

Climb to 6.095 m in 7 min 0 seconds

 

Range

1304 km typical,
3540 km max

Fuel capacity internal

unknown

 

Fuel capacity external

unknown

Machine guns

4 × 12,7 mm Browning MG53-2 guns, with 280 rounds for the inboard pair, and 350 for the outboard pair

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

up to 907 kg on 2 hardpoints, generally being 2 × 454 kg or 227 kg bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

-

 

Technical data on the North American P-51C Mustang

Powerplant

1 × Packard V-1650-7, rated at 1,450 hp (1.044 kW), or a maximum combat emergency power, rated at 1695 hp (1263.61 kW)

 

Role during war
bullet Air superiority Fighter
bullet Fighter
bullet (Ground) Attack Fighter
bullet Fighter-bomber
bullet Reconnaissance Aircraft

Length

32 ft 3 inch

 

Height

8 ft 8 inch

Empty weight

6985 lb

 

Operational weight

9800 lb typical,
11800 lb max

Wing Span

37 ft 0.25 inch

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.88

Wing Area

233 sq ft

 

Service ceiling

41900 ft

Maximum speed

435 mph at 30000 ft

 

Cruising speed

397 mph at 25000 ft

Initial climb rate

Climb to 20,000 ft in 6 min 54 seconds

 

Range

1300 miles typical,
2440 miles max

Fuel capacity internal

unknown

 

Fuel capacity external

unknown

Machine guns

4 × 0.50 inch Browning MG53-2 guns, with 280 rounds for the inboard pair, and 350 for the outboard pair

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

up to 2,000 lb on 2 hardpoints, generally being 2 × 1,000 lb or 500 lb bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

-

Crew

1

 

Naval or ground based

Ground

First flight (prototype)

26 October 1940

 

Operational Service

April 1942 - 1960's

Manufacturer

North American Aviation, Inc

 

Number produced

15.576 total, 1.750 this version

 

Metric system

Length

9.83 m

 

Height

2.64 m

Empty weight

3168 kg

 

Operational weight

4445 kg typical,
5352 kg max

Wing Span

11.28 m

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.88

Wing Area

21.65 m²

 

Service ceiling

12771 m

Maximum speed

700 km/h at 9144 m

 

Cruising speed

639 km/h at 7620 m

Initial climb rate

Climb to 6.095 m in 6 min 54 seconds

 

Range

2092 km typical,
3927 km max

Fuel capacity internal

unknown

 

Fuel capacity external

unknown

Machine guns

4 × 12,7 mm Browning MG53-2 guns, with 280 rounds for the inboard pair, and 350 for the outboard pair

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

up to 907 kg on 2 hardpoints, generally being 2 × 454 kg or 227 kg bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

-

 

Technical data on the North American P-51D Mustang

Powerplant

1 × Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-7 Merlin Vee, rated at 1695 hp (1263.61 kW)

 

Role during war
bullet Air superiority Fighter
bullet Fighter
bullet (Ground) Attack Fighter
bullet Fighter-bomber
bullet Reconnaissance Aircraft

Length

320 ft 3 inch

 

Height

13 ft 8 inch

Empty weight

7635 lb

 

Operational weight

12100 lb max

Wing Span

37 ft 0 inch

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.83

Wing Area

235 sq ft

 

Service ceiling

41900 ft

Maximum speed

437 mph at 25000 ft

 

Cruising speed

395 mph at 25000 ft

Initial climb rate

3,475 ft per minute at 5,000 ft altitude,
Climb to 20,000 ft in 7 min 18 sec

 

Range

950 miles typical,
1650 miles max

Fuel capacity internal

224 Imp gal (269 US gal)

 

Fuel capacity external

Up to 183 Imp gal (220 US gal) in two 90 Imp gal (108 US gal) or 62 Imp gal (75 US gal) drop tanks

Machine guns
bullet 2 × 0.50 inch Browning MG53-2 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 400 rounds each (inboard pair)
bullet 4 × 0.50 inch Browning MG53-2 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 270 rounds each (outboard pairs)

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

Up to 2,000 lb carried on 2 underwing hardpoints, rated at 1,000 lb each. General disposable load was 2 × 1,000 lb or 500 lb bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

10 × 5 inch HVAR air-to-surface rockets on later aircraft in stead of bombs

Crew

1

 

Naval or ground based

Ground

First flight (prototype)

26 October 1940

 

Operational Service

April 1942 - 1960's

Manufacturer

North American Aviation, Inc

 

Number produced

15.576 total, 7.956 this version

 

Metric system

Length

97.61 m

 

Height

4.17 m

Empty weight

3463 kg

 

Operational weight

5489 kg max

Wing Span

11.28 m

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.83

Wing Area

21.83 m²

 

Service ceiling

12771 m

Maximum speed

703 km/h at 7620 m

 

Cruising speed

636 km/h at 7620 m

Initial climb rate

1.059 m per minute at 1.525 m altitude,
Climb to 6.095 m in 7 min 18 sec

 

Range

1529 km typical,
2655 km max

Fuel capacity internal

1.018 liters

 

Fuel capacity external

Up to 1.018 liters in two 409 liters or 284 liters drop tanks

Machine guns
bullet 2 × 12,7 mm Browning MG53-2 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 400 rounds each (inboard pair)
bullet 4 × 12,7 mm Browning MG53-2 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 270 rounds each (outboard pairs)

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

Up to 907 kg carried on 2 underwing hardpoints, rated at 454 kg each. General disposable load was 2 × 454 kg or 227 kg bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

10 × 127 mm HVAR air-to-surface rockets on later aircraft in stead of bombs

 

Technical data on the North American P-51H Mustang

Powerplant

1 × Packard V-1650--9, rated at 1,470 hp (1.096 kW), with a maximum emergency output, rated at 2218 hp (1653.5 kW)

 

Role during war
bullet Air superiority Fighter
bullet Fighter
bullet (Ground) Attack Fighter
bullet Fighter-bomber
bullet Reconnaissance Aircraft

Length

33 ft 4 inch

 

Height

8 ft 10 inch

Empty weight

6585 lb

 

Operational weight

9500 lb typical,
11500 lb max

Wing Span

37 ft 0 inch

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.825

Wing Area

235 sq ft

 

Service ceiling

unknown

Maximum speed

487 mph at 25000 ft

 

Cruising speed

359 mph at 10000 ft

Initial climb rate

5,350 ft per min,
Climb to 15,000 ft in 5 min 0 sec

 

Range

1075 miles typical,
1530 miles max

Fuel capacity internal

unknown

 

Fuel capacity external

unknown

Machine guns

6 × 0.50 inch Browning MG53-2 fixed forward-firing in the wing

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

Up to 2,000 lb carried on 2 underwing hardpoints, rated at 1,000 lb each. General disposable load was 2 × 1,000 lb or 500 lb bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

10 × 5 inch HVAR air-to-surface rockets on later aircraft in stead of bombs

Crew

1

 

Naval or ground based

Ground

First flight (prototype)

26 October 1940

 

Operational Service

April 1942 - 1960's

Manufacturer

North American Aviation, Inc

 

Number produced

15.576 total, 557 this version

 

Metric system

Length

10.16 m

 

Height

2.69 m

Empty weight

2987 kg

 

Operational weight

4309 kg typical,
5216 kg max

Wing Span

11.28 m

 

Wing Aspect ratio

5.825

Wing Area

21.83 m²

 

Service ceiling

unknown

Maximum speed

784 km/h at 7620 m

 

Cruising speed

578 km/h at 3048 m

Initial climb rate

1.631 m per min,
Climb to 4.570 m in 5 min 0 sec

 

Range

1730 km typical,
2462 km max

Fuel capacity internal

unknown

 

Fuel capacity external

unknown

Machine guns

6 × 12,7 mm Browning MG53-2 fixed forward-firing in the wing

 

Cannons

-

Bomb load

Up to 907 kg carried on 2 underwing hardpoints, rated at 454 kg each. General disposable load was 2 × 454 kg or 227 kg bombs

 

Torpedoes/rockets

10 × 127 mm HVAR air-to-surface rockets on later aircraft in stead of bombs

Here is a quick overview of all different versions, without the full technical specifications:

Different versions of the North American P-51  Mustang

North American P-51

A number of Mustang Mk IA's were delivered to the USAAF, where they were redesignated to P-51. See Mustang Mk IA for more details.

P-51-1

55 Conversions from the P-51 to reconnaissance aircraft, fitted with 2 K-24 cameras.



Redesignated aircraft

North American P-51A Mustang

During the operational life of the P-51/A-36A Apache the value of the Mustang as a multi-role fighter became more and more appreciated. An additional 310 aircraft were ordered with a powerplant of 1 × Allison V-1710-81, rated at 1,200 hp (895 kW). For further details see above.
Of these aircraft only 260 were delivered to the USAAF, which stationed most of them in the CBI (China, Burma, India). In this theatre a number of aircraft were often fitted with a cluster of 3 bazooka-like rockets to add additional firepower in their ground-attack role.
50 aircraft were delivered to great Britain, to replace the Mustang Mk I, and were subsequently redesignated Mustang Mk II.
35 aircraft were converted to the F-6B standard, to operate as photo-reconnaissance aircraft mostly used in the ETO (European Theatre of Operations).
Number built: 310

North American P-51B Mustang

During the War Rolls Royce were given the opportunity to test aircraft not fitted with their engines. A test with the Mustang Mk I revealed that it had very good agility and performance, but that at altitude the latter suffered severely. The conclusion was reached that in case the Mustang would be fitted with the Rolls Royce Merlin (61) engine fitted with a two-stage two-speed supercharger, it would overcome this problem and would be an excellent aircraft. Guesses concerning a Merlin-powered Mustang revealed a speed of 432 Mph (695 km/h), far higher than any Allison powered Mustang. After 5 Mustangs had been converted to Merlin 65/66 powered aircraft it was proven that these speeds could be reached. Rolls Royce approached the USAAF and North American with their idea to fit the Mustang with Merlins. North American stood open for the idea because at that moment Packard was producing Merlin XX's already, meaning there was a USA source for the engines. The USAAF also approved the idea, because it meant there was no need to fear a shortage of other engines that currently were powering the Republic P-47 and Lockheed P-38.
The 2 XP-51B's that were powered by a Packard V-1650 license built Rolls Royce Merlin possessed a max level speed of 453 Mph (729 km/h) at 28,800 ft (8.780 m). The final P-51B's were thus fitted with 1 × Packard V-1650-3, rated at 1,400 hp (1.044 kW), or 1,620 hp (1.208 kW) maximum combat emergency power. See details above

P-51B-1

The initial P-51B standard, see technical details.

P-51B-5

P-51B-1 with increased internal fuel in the rear fuselage. Capacity was increased with 71 Imp gal (80 US gal, 322 liters)

P-51B-10

Unknown changes

P-51B-15

Unknown changes



Number built: 1.988

North American P-51C Mustang

Identical to the P-51B, but powered by 1 × Packard V-1650-7, rated at 1,450 hp (1.081 kW), or 1,695 hp (1.264 kW) combat emergency rating.
Number built: 1.750

North American P-51D Mustang

This was the final P-51 version. It was based on the P-51B and P-51C, but had amongst others the cockpit canopy revised to the teardrop bubble canopy offering clear view to the rear. Also there were some small changes to the wingroots (slightly extended forward), and a small dorsal fillet to improve directional stability of the aircraft. The P-51D was armed by 4 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) Browning MG53-2 guns with 1.600 rounds (400 each), or 6 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) Browning MG53-2 guns with 1.880 rounds.
Because the demand for the P-51 was so high, the first batch was produced with the original canopy, the rest with the teardrop canopy.
Early P-51D's had provisions for two underwing assemblies of 3 launcher tubes for the 4.5 inch (114 mm) M8 air-to-surface rockets with an HE warhead. The P-51D-25 and onward possessed zero-length underwing launchers for the 5 inch (127 mm) HVAR air-to-surface rockets with an HE warhead. In this case 3 launchers under each wing could be carried together with drop tanks, or 5 launchers under each wing without drop tanks. In the Pacific Theatre of Operations the P-51D was the only aircraft capable of escorting Boeing B-29's to Japan, and not even all the way. They had to take off at Iwo Jima to reduce the range, and carry 2 × 138 Imp gal (165 US gal, 625 liters) drop tanks.

P-51D-1

Original batch, still without the teardrop canopy.
 Number built: 800

P-51D-5 and onward

Revised teardrop canopy and dorsal fillet.
 Number built: 7.156



number built: 7.956

North American P-51F Mustang

North American contemplated upon improving the P-51D. As such, range was more than adequate for it's task, so only performance and/or maneuverability were viable options. In order to increase speed and climb rate, either the engine needed to be uprated, or weight should be reduced. To do so, they replaced some metal parts for plastic, removed some items, reduced internal fuel to 171 Imp gal (205 US gal, 776 liters), reduced the armament to 4 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) Browning guns, and introduced a revised bubble canopy. The revised model had a maximum take-off weight of only 9,060 lb (4.110 kg), and this resulted in a max level speed of 466 Mph (750 km/h) at 29,000 ft (8.840 m). Weight was thus reduced with 3,040 lb (.1379 kg), and speed was increased with 29 Mph (47 km/h). This resulted in 3 prototypes
Number built: 3 prototypes

North American P-51G Mustang

Like the P-51F, the P-51G was revised in much the same manner, but to a larger extend. The max take-off weight had become 8,885 lb (4.034 kg), and was powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin 145M, rated at 1,695 hp (1.264 kW), driving a 5-bladed propeller. Max level speed reached 472 Mph (759 km/h) at 20,750 ft (6.325 m). Only one prototype was produced.
Number built: 1 prototype

North American P-51H Mustang

Based on the P-51F, the P-5H was the fastest of all P-51's. It was powered by 1 × Packard V-1650--9, rated at 1,470 hp (1.096 kW), with a maximum emergency output of 2,218 hp (1.654 kW). The P-51F's fuselage was slightly lengthened, and had a little taller vertical tail. Also a 42 Imp gal (50 US gal, 190 liters) fuselage tank and 6 guns were (re-)introduced. See details above.
Number built: 557

North American P-51J Mustang

Two prototypes, powered with 1 × Allison V-1710-119, rated 1,500 hp (1.118 kW). The nose entry was completely revised as the carburetor air inlet was incorporated into the ventral radiator installation
Number built: 2 prototypes

North American P-51K Mustang

This version was built exactly like the P-51D, and only differed with respect to it's propeller. The P-51D had a Hamilton Standard propeller with a diameter of 11 ft 2 inch (3,40 m), the P-51K had an Aeroproductspropeller with a diameter of 11 ft 2 inch (3,35 m).
Number built: 1.500

North American P-51M Mustang

Based on the P-51H, the P-51M had a powerplant of 1 × Packard V-1650-9A. Only 1 was completed before the order was cancelled.
Number built: 1

North American Mustang Mk I

The first production model of the famous P-51 Mustang had been initiated by a British order. As such, the aircraft had a lot of typically British features, such as a liquid cooled Vee engine, the Allison V-1710-39, rated at 1,150 hp (856 kW). The empty weight of the Mustang Mk I was 6,300 lb (2.838 kg), max take-off weight was 8,600 lb (3.901 kg). Max level speed was 390 Mph (628 km/h) at 8,000 ft (2.440 m). Range was 1.050 miles (1.690 km), service ceiling was 32,000 ft (9.755 m), and it could climb to 15,000 ft (4.570 m) in 8 min 6 sec. It's armament consisted of:

bullet 2 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) Browning MG53 fixed forward-firing in the lower parts of the nose, 400 rounds each
bullet 2 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) Browning MG53 fixed forward-firing in the wing, 400 rounds each
bullet 4 × 0.30 inch (7,62 mm) Browning MG40 fixed forward-firing in the lower parts of the nose, 500 rounds each

The British had ordered 620 aircraft, 320 NA-73's and 300 NA-83 with some small changes. All these aircraft went to Great Britain, except 12 aircraft. 10 Were sent to Russia, and 2 were sent to the USAAF as the XP-51 for trials.
Initial test in Britain revealed a dramatic loss of performance above 13,000 ft (3.965 m), but other aspects were excellent. It was decided that the Mustang would be used as an Army co-operation (ground attack) and tactical reconnaissance aircraft because of it's good performance at low levels and heavy armament.
Number built: 620

North American Mustang Mk IA

Identical to the Mustang Mk I, except it's armament: 4 × 20 mm cannons fixed forward-firing in the wing. This version was also delivered to the USAAF as the P-51.
Number built: 150

North American Mustang Mk II

Redesignated P-51A's, when delivered to the RAF
Redesignated aircraft

North American Mustang Mk III

274 P-51B's and 636 P-51C's delivered to the RAF, and subsequently redesignated (910 total). These aircraft still had the hinged cockpit canopy, which the RAF found inadequate because of the egress problems, and poor fields of vision. An unofficial modification was made to most aircraft of theRAF, and a number of aircraft of the USAAF: the 'Malcolm Hood'. This was a blown and bulged canopy that could slide to the rear, and provided a lot better field of vision.
Redesignated aircraft

North American Mustang Mk IV

Transferred P-51D's to the RAF, and subsequently redesignated. Also, a number of P-51K's were transferred, and were redesignated to the same Mk.
Number transferred: 271 + 594

North American F-6A

Redesignation of the P-51-1 reconnaissance version
Redesignated aircraft

North American F-6B

Converted from the P-51A to reconnaissance standard, and redesignated subsequently to F-6B
Converted aircraft: 35

North American F-6C

Conversion from the P-51B to photo-reconnaissance standard. These aircraft were fitted with either 2 × K-17, 2 × K-22, or 2 × K-24 cameras.
Number converted: 71

North American F-6D

Conversion from the P-51D to photo-reconnaissance standard. These aircraft were fitted with either 2 × K-17, 2 × K-22, or 2 × K-24 cameras.
Number converted: 126

North American F-6K

Conversion from the P-51K to photo-reconnaissance standard. These aircraft were fitted with either 2 × K-17, 2 × K-22, or 2 × K-24 cameras.
Number converted: 163

North American A-36A

The USAAC had received 2 aircraft as XP-51, but in 1941 they had little interest in the type. The upper command then felt that the aircraft would not fit in enough, because it was built to British requirements (not that British requirements were less, but different, resulting in possible logistical problems etc). It was not until 1942 when the USA had been drawn into World War 2 that the USAAF (former USAAC) returned it's attention to the Mustang. This was mainly because of the very positive British reports about the aircraft, and the intervention of General H. H. 'Hap' Arnold, the commanding officer of the USAAF.
An order of 500 aircraft was placed in April 1942, and these aircraft were designated A-36A Apache. The Apache was powered by 1 × Allison V-1710-87, rated at 1,325 hp (1.030 kW), armed with 6 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) Browning guns in the wings, and was able to carry 2 × 500 lb (227 kg) bombs under the wings for it's intended ground attack and dive-bombing operations. For this the Apache had dive breaks installed to stabilise the aircraft during a shallow dive and keep the speed in range of an estimated optimal speed of 250 Mph (402 km/h). The max level speed of the Apache was 356 Mph (573 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1.525 m), and declined to 310 Mph (499 km/h) with 2 bombs. The clean aerodynamical design was actually a problem for steep dive-bombings, a problem that could not be solved with the dive brakes.
Number built: 500

North American TP-51D Mustang

Conversions from the P-51D, with a revised cockpit and relocated radio equipment. This version was a two-seat trainer
Number converted: 10

North American (Commonwealth) Mustang Mk XX

Australian P-51D built by Commonwealth. Australia received 1 completed P-51D and components for another 100 aircraft. This version was powered by 1 × Packard V-1650-3.
Number built: 80

North American (Commonwealth) Mustang Mk 21

Australian P-51D built by Commonwealth. This version was powered by 1 × Packard V-1650-7.
Number built: 40

North American (Commonwealth) Mustang Mk 22

Australian P-51D built by Commonwealth. This version had an F.24 camera fitted for photo-reconnaissance. Also, a number of mustang Mk 21's were converted for the same task.
Number built: 14 + 14 conversions

North American (Commonwealth) Mustang Mk 23

Australian P-51D built by Commonwealth. This version was powered by 1 × Rolls Royce Merlin 66 or 70.
Number built: 66

Operational remarks:

The first operational sortie of the Mustang was during a sad event: the Canadian-British landing at Dieppe. During the day in August 1942, a Mustang Mk I scored a kill against a Focke-Wulf Fw 190. During October 1942 the Mustang was the first RAF single-engine aircraft that operated over Germany during the War, a prelude of it's final role of long-range escort for bombers.
The Mustang was also well used in the Photo-reconnaissance role, gathering vital data the Allied forces needed for Operation Overlord, the landings in Normandy.
The P-51B and P-51C were the first long range escort fighters. The P-51B was first used on a mission to Kiel in December 1943, and in March 1944 the first mission to Berlin was flown with the P-51 as escort fighter.
As an escort fighter, the Mustang was instrumental in destroying the Luftwaffe. Raiding allied fighters were mostly left alone to avoid 'unnecessary' losses to the Luftwaffe, but a group of bombers was an entirely different story. Letting the bombers roam free in German airspace was generally considered to be a bad idea, and necessitated the Luftwaffe to intercept. The Mustang then could engage the fighters, and destroy them, while the bombers took care of airfields, production facilities and other strategic targets.
In the Pacific Theatre of Operations the P-51D Mustang was the only fighter capable of escorting the Boeing B-29 Superfortress all the way to Japan, but in order to do so they had to take off at Iwo Jima with extra large droptanks (2 × 138 Imp gal/165 US gal, 625 liters).

Strengths:

·         Excellent performance

·         Good acceleration

·         Excellent range

·         Structural strength, able to take damage

·         Good maneuverability

Weaknesses:

·         Poor fields of vision (early models)


USA AIR FORCE


Royal Air Force