Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51B>HA8503B

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

On June 6, 1944 near Leipzig, Germany while the 363rd FS/357th FG P-51B Mustangs were escorting B-17s on a bombing mission eight German Fw-190s came up to engage the bombers. The P-51s reacted and went after the Fw-190s with Capt. C.E. Bud Anderson unleashing a long- range volley eliminating the leader who bailed out. This time Anderson moved in closer on the second Fw-190 and set him ablaze. The third Fw-190 of the day for Bud came when the German failed to see him and flew directly in front of the P-51 with a predictable outcome. At the end of WWII Bud Anderson was credited with 16.25 victories, making him a triple ace.

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