Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51B>HA8502

General Background

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.

The Aircraft

RCAF Mustang III 9G-E was a former RAF Mustang that flew with No. 19 Squadron as QV-A and No. 165 Squadron as SK-A. This aircraft and seventeen other Mk. IIIs were taken on charge with the RCAF on May 31, 1945 and assigned to the 441 "Silver Fox" Squadron, the only RCAF Mustang III squadron. The aircraft were painted in a Bomber Escort scheme and preparing to take part in the war against Japan. Most 441 Squadron Mk. IIIs had a tail fillet but 9G-E was an exception.

Specifications :

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