The P-51 flight model is Bad until the fuel tank is fixed. These are facts and there is no counter arguement for leaving the plane broken.
The center tank cannot be full and must drain first for combat!
This has been establishing for several years, with begging from the allies to not leave this plane as is! it's totally wrong to leave this plane broken!
Thank you,
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More info from the P-51 Mustang forums for pilots of real aircraft..
P-51 Fuel tank info:
http://www.mustangsmustangs.us/theha...12&topic=115.0
Multiple facted sort of question:
I have read that the Mustang was a bit unstable when the fuselage tank was full. Yet I also read that the pilots, understandably, burned down the drop tanks first.
So how "unstable" was the airplane with full fuselage tanks? Was the long ride enough time to burn some out of the Fuse tanks?
Then, on todays, Mustangs, do they still use the fuselage tanks? Does a passenger seat interfere with tank installations?
thanks
Saville
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Sander Talman
Backseater
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Posts: 63
Fuselage tanks, stability, passengers
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2004, 11:50:58 AM »
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Hi Saville
I believe that the main fuselage tank (behind the cockpit) was not allowed to be filled completely, but I will check that to make sure if I'm right.
With the Mustangs of today, I think they fly different than the WWII Mustangs. Today the P-51 is much lighter, all armor is removed and no guns are installed.
The place were the second passenger sits is at the place of the former radio installation and armor plate.
Sander Talman
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CraigQ.
Backseater
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Posts: 52
Fuselage tanks, stability, passengers
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2004, 04:15:28 PM »
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Saville, from what I understand from written accounts and personal conversations with former pilots, the standard procedure was to switch to the fuselage tank very soon after takeoff.
After burning down to 'X' amount of gallons of fuel in the tank (the number escapes me) the pilot then switched off to the drop tanks.
It may have varied from group to group.
Art Fielder should be able to provide insight here if he reads this thread.
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vlado
Guest
Fuselage tanks, stability, passengers
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2004, 07:22:32 PM »
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The rear passenger seat occupies the space where the fuselage tank would be located.
Some recreation-restorations have the fuselage tank installed. With fuel in the fuselage tank, the aircraft is not dangerously unstable to fly. However, with full fuel in this fuselage tank during combat maneuvering, the aircraft would be very easy to stall with an aft center of gravity condition plus, should a spin occur, recovery would be difficult or impossible. Thus, for control considerations, the fuelage tank fuel is used first.
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mayfair335@aol.com
Guest
Fuselage Fuel Tanks
« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2004, 09:05:10 PM »
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Re: Use of fuselage tanks. Initially we were unaware of the stability problem with a full fuselage tank and so in an effort to conserve fuel we would use the drop tank fuel first. The problem was that in a steep turning contest over Ploesti, our guys were reporting that once the turn had been established, they found themselves pushing FORWARD on the stick with all their strength to prevent the turn winding up. Some succeeded, some did not. Those that could not prevent the turn from getting tighter and tighter reported that the bird would whip over into the most vicious high speed stall snap roll they could imagine. This often culminated with a spin. To the best of my knowledge most were able to recover in the 30,000 feet or so they had available; however, it is possible that some who did not return might have failed to recover.
Within a couple of weeks we were given orders that after takeoff, we would burn the fuselage tank down to 35 gallons which would prevent the above from happening....well theoretically at least.
Cordially, Art Fiedler
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Swiss Mustangs
P-51 Ace
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Posts: 304
Fuselage tanks, stability, passengers
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2004, 01:52:29 AM »
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Sir
your first hand experience input is always highly appreciated. You have stated the 'problem' of the full fuselage tanks moving the CG aft very accurately.
Thank you and blue sies
Martin / / Swiss Mustangs
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Skype: "swissmustangs"
Randy Haskin
Line Pass Holder
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Posts: 120
Fuselage tanks, stability, passengers
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2004, 02:11:12 AM »
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Art -
Thanks for the "pilot's eye" view of the situation -- the first accurate description that I've ever heard.
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"Trains were meant to be strafed"
Saville
Guest
Thank you Mr. Feidler
« Reply #7 on: June 18, 2004, 06:33:13 AM »
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Thanks for the real life wartime word on Mustangs in combat.
We are indebted to you - in many ways.
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Sander Talman
Backseater
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Posts: 63
Fuselage tanks, stability, passengers
« Reply #8 on: June 18, 2004, 12:01:46 PM »
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Hi
Thank you Art for sharing your experiences!
I found some 'information' about a restriction that was used :the fuselage tank was usually filled with 65 gallon instead of 85 gallons.
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/p51_8.html
Sander Talman
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