Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>P-51B>HA8511

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

In 1944 the USAAF 14th Air Force became involved in the Sino-Japan War on the side of the Nationalist Chinese Air Force. By this time the CNAF (CNAC – Chinese Nationalist Air Corps) already had been fairly well equipped with up-to-date aircraft delivered by the U.S.. By 1944 the list included A-29, P-40, P-43 and P-66s and with the defeat of Germany more of the latest advanced aircraft began arriving in 1945 which included B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress along with P-51Bs and P-51Ds. Several Mustangs came from the 23rd FS.

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