Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51B>HA8507
P-51B/C Mustang "Kitten", flown by Charles McGee, 302nd FS/332nd FG, 1944
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
North American P-51C 42-103968 c/n 26522 was one of the 1,000 P-51Cs manufactured in
1942. This aircraft was flown by Tuskegee airman Lt. Charles McGee of the 302nd FS/332nd FG
who named the aircraft using his wife’s nickname “Kitten”. Lt. McGee flew this particular aircraft
for 136 of his 408 combat flights flown during 3 wars. After WWII McGee flew another P-51
“Kitten” in Korea followed by the Vietnam War as the C/O of the 16th TRS and flew RF-4s.
Charles McGee dedicated 31 years in service to his country.
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 |