Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51B>HA8510

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

Early in 1945 P-51Cs, Ds and Ks began to arrive in the Pacific Theater of Operation since they were no longer needed in large numbers in Europe. The first units to receive the Mustangs were the 8th and 32nd Pursuit Squadrons of the 3rd Pursuit Group. These aircraft were also assigned to the 3rd, 4th and 5th Fighter Groups and eventually equipped seven Chinese Air Force Air Groups. Between January and June 1945 and with over eight hundred aircraft between the two forces they carried out attacks against Japanese forces in occupied China.

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