Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51B>HA8504

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

The 352nd FG was activated October 1, 1942 and arrived at RAF Bodney on April 14, 1943. Upon arrival the aircraft received their distinctive blue paint schemes. On April 8, 1944 the 352nd FG received their P-51Bs with 43-6506 HO-Y piloted by John "Muscles" Bennett of the 487th FS also had a fearsome Tiger-Mouth in addition to the blue nose. With nearly 60,000 combat hours, 519 aerial victories and 287 destroyed on the ground the Germans referred to the 352nd FG as "The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney".

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