Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51B>HA8508

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 43-6315 “Ding Hao” (Chinese phrase, “very good” or “number one”) was the second P-51B assigned to Lt. Col. James Howard. This aircraft had the new improved sliding Malcolm Hood canopy. James Howard was an American born in China and moved to the USA, became a USN pilot, left to join the AVG and later flew with the 354th FG/ 487th FS. He is credited with 6 Japanese victories and 6 more confirmed plus 1 probable and 2 damaged, for a total of 8.333 during World War II.

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