Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series

HA8515

P-51B Mustang "Steve Pisanos" 36798, 4th FG, 334th FS, May 1944

y 1944

General Background

Later in WWII the Allied bombers were flying deep into Germany but suffered tremendous losses because of the lack of range the fighter escorts had. German fighters would wait beyond the range of the Allied fighters and then attack the vulnerable bombers. Once the P-51 called Mustang by the British had the Allison engine replaced with a British Merlin it possessed the high performance that had been lacking. With drop tanks the P-51 had the range to escort bombers all the way to Berlin and back.

The Aircraft

The only difference between the North American P-51B and C variants was the B was built in Inglewood and the C in Dallas. The B variant first flew on May 5, 1943 and the C variant first flew on August 5, 1943. The B variant saw 1,988 built while the C variant saw 1,750 built. On December 1, 1943 the P-51B Mustang flew its first combat mission and in March 1944 provided bomber escort to Berlin.

Specifications

P-51B/C Production: 3,738

B: 1,988 produced at Inglewood plant

C: 1,750 produced at Dallas plant

Dimensions:

Length: 32.25 ft

Wingspan: 37.04 ft

Height: 13.67 ft

Weight

Empty: 6,985 lbs

Normal T/O: 9,800 lbs

Maximum Gross: 11,800 lbs

Performance

Power Plant: 1 X Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-3-7 producing 1,380 hp in the B variant and 1,490 hp in the C variant

Maximum Speed: 439 mph @ 25,000 ft

Service Ceiling: 41,800 ft

Range: B – 1,180 miles

C – 1,900 miles

Armament 4 x .50 cal machine guns with 1,260 rounds

2 x 1,000 lb bombs or rockets