|
About the North American RAF Mustang III
The Rolls-Royce Merlin engine
was powering the best warplanes in England early in the war. To develop a new
engine for the fledgling P-51 would take much time and the allies did not have
it. In 1940, the Packard Motor Company of the U.S. began license production of
the Merlin V-1650-1 engine in Detroit. Both the U.S. and England started
modifications almost simultaneously. 10 airframes were altered and became the
start of the most successful fighter series of the war.
Flying on 30 November
1942, the XP-51B was soon modified with a larger coolant radiator, which
increased top speed by 50mph and a higher ceiling by 10,000ft. The 85 gallon
fuel cell installed behind the seat allowed it to escort the bombers the target
and back. If there was on single fault in the P-51B/C design, it was the canopy.
British fighter specifications differed from the U.S. so they requested that a
sliding canopy was used on the early Spitfire Mk's for greater headroom and
vision.
The low profile canopy of
the P-51B/C restricted visibility, and offered considerable discomfort. North
American engineers felt it was necessary to reduce drag and maintain the high
degree of performance. Even a small pilot was forced to fly with his head
pressed against the top of the canopy for adequate vision during take off,
landing and combat. The Malcolm hood became a very popular modification as it
offered some considerable relief to the pilot.  |
