Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51>HA7710

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

On August 6, 1944 Major George Preddy scored six victories. In October 1944 when George Preddy returned from a 30 day leave he was promoted to CO of the 328th FS. Preddy was assigned a new P-51D s/n 44-14906 he named “Cripes A’ Mighty”. On November 2, 1944 the 352nd destroyed a record 38 aircraft with 25 credited to the 328th FS. On Christmas day Preddy led 10 other P-51’s on patrol and were vectored to a group of enemy fighters. Preddy downed 2 aircraft before he and his wing man were vectored to another group of aircraft near Liege, Belgium. Preddy spotted a Fw-190D-9 at tree top level and dove to pursue. The chase led the aircraft over an area being defended by the U.S. 12th AA. When the P-51 roared by the American troops opened fire. His Mustang was hit by friendly fire and crashed near Langerwehe, Germany killing Major George Preddy Jr. age 25. Preddy was credited with 27.5 aerial victories and 5 ground strafing victories.

Specifications :

Tasks:	Dive-bomber, bomber-escort, ground-attack, interceptor, photo recon
Number Produced All Variants:	14,819
Dimensions
Height:	13 ft 8 in (4.16 m)
Wingspan:	37 ft (11.27 m)
Length:	32 ft 3 in (9.82 m)
Weight
Empty:	7,125 lb (3,232 kg)
Gross:	10,100 lb (4,581 kg)
Maximum Take-off:	11,600 lb (5,262 kg)
Performance
Engine:	Packard Merlin two-staged supercharged V-1650-7, 12 cylinder V engine 1,695 hp.
Maximum Speed:	437 mph (703 km/h)
Ceiling:	41,900 ft (12,771 m)
Range:	950 miles (1,529 km)
Maximum Range:	2,300 miles (3,701 km)
Armament	(6) .50 caliber MG
	Maximum External Bomb Load – 2,000 lb (907 kg)
	Or (4) .5 inch rockets