Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51B>HA8506

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

P-51B 42-106908 is considered to be the personal aircraft of Lt. Leonard Randy Reeves of the 530th FS/311th FG based at Pungchacheng, China in 1944 – 1945. Around the end of January 1945 Lt. Reeves was part of two missions to Peking with the second flight resulting in severe damage to the tail of 2106908. Because of the extent of the damage to this aircraft Lt. Reeves was assigned another P-51. Sometime during the time that 2106908 was with Lt. Reeves he had named the aircraft “My Dallas Darlin”.

Specifications :

P-51B/C Production:	3,738
B:	1,988 produced at Inglewood plant
C:	1,750 produced at Dallas plant
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