Their design, dubbed Mustang by the British, had a low-drag laminar-flow wing and an efficient low-drag engine cooling system that gave it exceptional speed and range. It had a maximum speed of about 390 miles (630 km) per hour and a combat range of roughly 750 miles (1,200 km) .
How far can a P-51 fly?
Their design, dubbed Mustang by the British, had a low-drag laminar-flow wing and an efficient low-drag engine cooling system that gave it exceptional speed and range. It had a maximum speed of about 390 miles (630 km) per hour and a combat range of roughly 750 miles (1,200 km) .
Did P-51 fly in the Pacific?
P-51 Mustangs were used in both the Pacific and the European theaters . After WWII, more than 55 countries used the P-51 in their militaries.
What engine did p51 Mustang have?
The British fitted five test aircraft with the Merlin engine , and the results were nothing short of astounding. Hawker’s assessment proved correct: the Merlin engine powered Mustangs reached speeds in excess of 430 miles per hour at 30,000 feet, almost 100 miles per hour faster than the Allison engine.
Why was the P-51 so fast?
Over the years, new features and technology were added to the P-51 to keep it updated with the times. These updates began as early as 1942 when the Mustangs were equipped with the British Merlin engine for speed. Adding the Merlin engine increased the speed of the P-51A (original Mustang) by 110 mph .
What made the P-51 so good?
The Mustang, with its high speed, long-range, low -cost, and six . 50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns , made it the ideal fighter for the job. ... The P-51 dominated air combat in Europe, destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft. It was also a very capable fighter-bomber and could carry 1,000 pounds of bombs and rockets.
What does the P stand for in P-51?
For example, before the new system, the Army Air Force used the “P” designation, which stood for pursuit , on a wide variety of its fighter aircraft, like the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-38 Lightning.
Which plane shot down the most planes in WW2?
While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109 , enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills. How did Hartmann get so good at dominating the skies over the Eastern Front?
Why was the P-51 Mustang the most famous airplane that the Tuskegee Airmen flew?
The most famous airplane they flew was the P-51 Mustang. It was the fastest fighter airplane at the time . To make their airplanes easy to see in the sky, the Tuskegee pilots painted the airplane’s tail bright red. They were known as “Red Tails” during the war.
Which is better P51 or Spitfire Mustang?
In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter. ... However, the P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire . In it’s main role, the Mustang proved itself as a superb escort fighter in Allied bombing raids over Germany.
What is a P51 Mustang worth?
An original World War II era North American Aviation P-51 fighter-bomber is now up for sale. According to Auto Evolution, this particular aircraft is located in Germany and is being offered for sale for 3.3 million euros or roughly $3.9 million .
Did a P51 ever fight a zero?
This Mitsubishi A6M5, captured at Saipan in July 1944 and now maintained by Planes of Fame, is the only Zero still flying with its original Nakajima Sakae 31 engine. Mitsubishi’s legendary A6M ran circles around opposing fighters early in World War II, but by 1945 its odds of surviving a dogfight were close to zero .
What was the most famous plane in WW2?
The US North American P-51 Mustang , which is the most celebrated US fighter plan of WWII. While America entered the war rather late, only after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the P-51 Mustang was flown by British pilots from May that same year.
How much horsepower does a P-51 Mustang have?
Roush P-51 Mustang Gets Official With 727 Horsepower | News | Car and Driver.
How did the P-51 get its name?
“Dutch” Kendelberger, the president of North American offered to build an entirely new advanced fighter using the same Allison V-1710-39 engine used on the P-40. It was said that “Dutch” got his inspiration for the P-51 after a 1938 tour of aircraft industries in Great Britain and Germany .
