The machine that has come to symbolize USAAF fighter operations over enemy territory in World War Two, the North American P-51 Mustang was – arguably – the best overall single-seat fighter of its time.
 |
| P-51 Mustang |
When its original Allison engine was replaced by the Packard-built Merlin, the Mustang in its most numerous P-51D version became a versatile weapon, able to escort bombers deep into Germany and defend them from intercepting fighters. Along with the RAF’s Supermarine Spitfire, it is hardly surprising that the Mustang has ascended into legend, and around 170 remain airworthy today. The number increases to over 200 if those currently being repaired or restored are included.
The P-51’s roots can be traced back to 1940, when North American was commissioned to build a new fighter for the RAF. The manufacturer, which in the run up to America’s entry into the war had already opened factories in Ohio, Texas and Kansas, designed and built the NA-73X prototype in just four months.
It had several innovative features including a laminar flow wing and a low drag radiator scoop below the fuselage, and flew for the first time on October 26, 1940, from Mines Field (now Los Angeles International Airport) in the hands of Vance Breese. Although the prototype suffered a landing accident a month later, it had already begun to demonstrate its superiority over other contemporary fighters.
The P-51’s roots can be traced back to 1940, when North American was commissioned to build a new fighter for the RAF. The manufacturer, which in the run up to America’s entry into the war had already opened factories in Ohio, Texas and Kansas, designed and built the NA-73X prototype in just four months.
It had several innovative features including a laminar flow wing and a low drag radiator scoop below the fuselage, and flew for the first time on October 26, 1940, from Mines Field (now Los Angeles International Airport) in the hands of Vance Breese. Although the prototype suffered a landing accident a month later, it had already begun to demonstrate its superiority over other contemporary fighters.
Ground attack
Initially powered by a 1,150hp (857kW) Allison V-12 engine, the RAF ordered 620 as the Mustang I. The RAF’s first production examples arrived in October 1941, and went on to operate over northwest Europe in the low level armed tactical reconnaissance role. The subsequent IA was similar but exchanged its machine-guns for cannons. This version, originally called Apache in US hands, was also restricted to low altitude sorties as the power output of the Allison fell off rapidly in the climb. Perhaps because of this drawback, US interest in the P-51 did not develop quickly. The first P-51 Mustang for the USAAF was the P-51A which had a slightly more powerful engine and was equipped with bomb racks for dive-bombing and ground attack missions. Of the 310 built, 50 ended up in RAF hands as the Mustang II.
To tackle the fighter’s poor performance at higher altitudes, four Mustang Is were converted to fly with Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. The combination of the Merlin and the fighter’s aerodynamically efficient airframe resulted in an immediate and significant improvement. With Packard already building the Merlin in the US, the P-51B became the first Mustang to be ordered in quantity by the USAAF, deliveries beginning in June 1943. Nearly 2,000 were built and these were followed swiftly by 1,750 of the similar ’C version.
To tackle the fighter’s poor performance at higher altitudes, four Mustang Is were converted to fly with Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. The combination of the Merlin and the fighter’s aerodynamically efficient airframe resulted in an immediate and significant improvement. With Packard already building the Merlin in the US, the P-51B became the first Mustang to be ordered in quantity by the USAAF, deliveries beginning in June 1943. Nearly 2,000 were built and these were followed swiftly by 1,750 of the similar ’C version.
Cadillac of the sky
Flying with the USAAF’s UK-based Eighth Air Force, the new breed of fighters excelled as long-range escorts. Their first operation was to Kiel, Germany, in December 1943, and in March 1944 they flew alongside Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and Consolidated B-24 Liberators in a raid on the German capital.
Its prowess proven, the P-51 Mustang was quickly utilised in other theatres, including the Mediterranean and China-Burma-India, as well as equipping RAF and Commonwealth units in Britain, Europe and Italy. By 1945, Mustangs were in use with all but one of the Eighth Air Force’s fighter escort groups.
Although not its final incarnation, the ‘definitive’ and most widely produced P-51 was the ’D variant, with 7,956 built. It differed externally from previous versions by having a cut down rear fuselage and a sliding ‘teardrop’ canopy, affording much better visibility. Fitted with the more powerful Packard-built Merlin, the P-51D could fly (with drop tanks) for 1,650 miles (2,655km), often protecting bomber formations for the entirety of their missions.
In combat, they were agile, fast and gave confidence to those that flew them. A match for the best propeller-driven German fighters of the day, it is believed that the sight of Mustangs over Berlin incited German Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring to declare the war to be lost.
The only country to produce the fighter outside of the US was Australia. The RAAF operated 215 P-51Ds and 84 P-51Ks (which had a different propeller) from April 1945. Based on a ‘pattern aircraft’, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation then built another 200, the first of which flew in May 1945.
P-51 Mustang fighters remained in service long after World War Two, proving extremely useful in the ground attack role during the Korean War. The last USAF Mustang was F-51D 44-74936 which was retired in 1956, but the type remained in service with other nations for many years afterwards. The Dominican Air Force was its last operator, not retiring its final examples until 1984.
The P-51 Mustang’s role as a military aircraft may be over, but in civilian hands it continues to be extremely popular, and heavily modified versions have proved especially successful as air racers, featuring at events such as those held annually at Reno, Nevada.
Its prowess proven, the P-51 Mustang was quickly utilised in other theatres, including the Mediterranean and China-Burma-India, as well as equipping RAF and Commonwealth units in Britain, Europe and Italy. By 1945, Mustangs were in use with all but one of the Eighth Air Force’s fighter escort groups.
Although not its final incarnation, the ‘definitive’ and most widely produced P-51 was the ’D variant, with 7,956 built. It differed externally from previous versions by having a cut down rear fuselage and a sliding ‘teardrop’ canopy, affording much better visibility. Fitted with the more powerful Packard-built Merlin, the P-51D could fly (with drop tanks) for 1,650 miles (2,655km), often protecting bomber formations for the entirety of their missions.
In combat, they were agile, fast and gave confidence to those that flew them. A match for the best propeller-driven German fighters of the day, it is believed that the sight of Mustangs over Berlin incited German Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring to declare the war to be lost.
The only country to produce the fighter outside of the US was Australia. The RAAF operated 215 P-51Ds and 84 P-51Ks (which had a different propeller) from April 1945. Based on a ‘pattern aircraft’, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation then built another 200, the first of which flew in May 1945.
P-51 Mustang fighters remained in service long after World War Two, proving extremely useful in the ground attack role during the Korean War. The last USAF Mustang was F-51D 44-74936 which was retired in 1956, but the type remained in service with other nations for many years afterwards. The Dominican Air Force was its last operator, not retiring its final examples until 1984.
The P-51 Mustang’s role as a military aircraft may be over, but in civilian hands it continues to be extremely popular, and heavily modified versions have proved especially successful as air racers, featuring at events such as those held annually at Reno, Nevada.
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu