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Originally Posted by Splitter
The whole story of the P-51 is what makes it special in my mind. NA saw an opportunity with the British government who really wanted them to produce the P-40 (even though they knew it to be an inferior design).
It was produced in record time and performed well at low level with the Allison engine. They saw it as a ground attack and recon aircraft. But here, again, the Brits stepped in and said, "What if we put a Merlin into a Mustang?" (though it wasn't a Mustang to them).
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Yeah, the legend says that the first drawing of the Mustang/A-36 was sketched on a restaurant napkin and from that sketched it was developed in just over 100 days
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So while the airframe was amazing, it didn't become a plane to be reckoned with until they put the Merlin under the hood. What we know as the Mustang was really a joint development between the Americans and Brits.
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I think it's success reflected the American basic theory on dogifghting. The US was all about speed and punch. Swoop in on the prey and keep going. In looking at all of the American designs, you don't really find aircraft that can turn and fight. The 51 is probably about the closest they came to it. What the P51 lacked that most American fighters enjoyed was toughness...it really didn't absorb a lot of punishment compared to other designs.
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The P-40 is not actually a bad turner itself, it just lacked the high altitude performance. The P-51 was an energy fighter that could go pretty much everywhere and mix up with the best that the Germans and Japanese had.
It was quite delicate compared to the rugged P-47, but it could outperform it pretty much everywhere (except maybe for diving?).
Regarding the ruggedness, I always wondered why the Americans insisted on using the F-51 in Korea when they could have delivered a better payload on a more robust plane with the P-47.. the development of the Skyrider should be quite significant on this aspect..
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But, used as a speed fighter, it was about the best thing around. High altitude, dive in, blast away, get out fast. Add to that it's long legs and it truly was unique.
I dunno, if I could stay higher and move faster than my opponent he could never touch me unless I made a mistake. I might not get him but he couldn't touch me.
I have exactly one ride in a P-51 and it was an awesome feeling of speed. I've never had more of a sense of speed than that day....too bad rides now cost $2200 for 30 minutes....
Splitter
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I agree Splitter, the feeling of speed, stability and readiness is incredible.. no sloppiness, delay, slow reactions.. just 1650HP of energy packed in the 10ft between you and the propeller!
Are Mustang rides really that expensive now?! Jeeez! That would cost me quite a lot of money!
Who did you fly with, the Crazy Horse guys?
SJ