![]() The maximum altitude is approximately 40,000 feet. The Packard engine delivers approximately 1,490 horse power at sea level. The engine spins a four blade Hamilton Standard Hydromatic constant speed propeller. The engine is equipped with a two-speed, two-stage supercharger and an automatic manifold pressure regulator. The North American Aviation P-51D fighter aircraft is a single-seat, low wing monoplane powered by a 12 cylinder V-1650-7 liquid cooled, Packard built Rolls Royce "Merlin" engine. Mustang pilots chalked up almost 5,000 victories over enemy aircraft in WW2. The P-51D played a major role in establishing Allied air superiority during the June, 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy, and in maintaining air supremacy as Allied forces fought their way towards Berlin. ![]() The use of external drop tanks increased the P-51D’s operational range to 1,375 miles (2,200 km), enabling it to escort Allied bombers on long-range missions to the heart of Germany. Powered by the Packard V-1650-7, a license-built version of the two-speed, two-stage supercharged Rolls-Royce Merlin 66, the Mustang had a maximum speed of 390 miles per hour and a combat range of roughly 750 miles (1,200 km). With its graceful lines, distinctive bubble canopy and clipped wings, the ‘D’ variant rapidly became the mainstay of the United States 8th Air Force in Europe. It was especially dominant in dogfights above 20,000. The Mustang began combat operations with the RAF in April 1942, immediately proving its effectiveness both as a fighter and in ‘Rhubarb’ low-level fighter-bomber attacks against enemy airfields, supply trains and in the close air support role. 50 caliber Browning machine guns, the Mustang was also able to carry either two bombs or up to ten unguided rockets. The P-51D Mustang is not only one of the most iconic aircraft ever built, it is also arguably the most effective all-round fighter-bomber of WW2.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |