Historic Aircraft.qxp_GAB Master LEFT 11/02/2022 09:41 Page 2
two-speed, two-stage-supercharged Merlin 66. The ‘D’ included several design changes but visibly the most notable was probably the installation of a new Plexiglas ‘bubble’ canopy for improved all-around vision (the early canopies suffered with limited rear visibility). This most celebrated version flew at a maximum speed of 440 miles per hour and if left climbing could reach a ceiling of almost 42,000 feet (that’s above the service ceiling limits of most commercial jets!).
When the North American assembly line in Dallas, Texas finally closed its doors on Mustang production, more than 15,000 Mustangs had been built. In the European theatre the Mustang destroyed nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft and destroyed more than 4,000 targets on the ground, having flown very close to 214,000 missions.
These aircraft proved a game-changer as the P-51’s performance, and therefore combat superiority, increased significantly. That, combined with the aircraft’s amazing range, meant the German Luftwaffe took a huge, unexpected knock as their recorded losses of Me109s and Fw 190s increased dramatically.
Our stunning picture aircraft was built in 1944 as a P-51D and was one of the last Mustangs built by North American. Just before the Korean War it was converted to an F-51D and was shipped to South Korea where it served with the 45th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo. But Mustangs were phased out in favour of jet technology, which in Korea took the shape of the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter. So the Mustangs were retired back to the USA.
miles per hour and if left
You will have likely noticed already that the canopy on this one is elongated to accommodate a second pilot. During its restoration, between 2005 to 2007, it was converted to a training variant, so this is called a TF-51D (‘T’ for Training). There are two main conversions possible to add a back seat in a Mustang — one is a ‘jump seat’ and aimed to give people the ‘Mustang experience’; and the other is a full second cockpit and can be used for training pilots converting on to the type. Either way, getting airborne in a Mustang is something very special indeed.
service ceiling limits of
A Plane of Firsts The Mustang was the first US-built fighter to press into the European theatre after the fall of France. And it was the first single-engine aircraft based in Britain to reach Berlin. In his comments about using the Mustang to escort bomber raids over Germany, Mustang ace Brig. Gen. Thomas ‘Tommy’ Hayes said that the Merlin-powered P-51 “had the three qualities you need most if you were going to escort bombers to Berlin – range, range and range!” Add to that Mustang ace Col. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson’s comments about performance, when he said that the Mustang “went like hell!” It’s fair to say it was a very well-liked aircraft and it was nothing short of formidable in its military role. But one of the highest accolades formally recorded was following its review in 1944 by the Truman Senate War Investigating Committee who said [at the time] that it was “the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence.” The Mustang served the allied forces proudly right through to the end of the war. Not only was it capable of escorting bombers all the way to Germany (and able to return) but it’s all-round performance gave it superb qualities in a number of combat applications — it had speed, superb high-altitude performance, excellent low-altitude handling performance, and of course it had the range to get to Berlin and back. And, towards the end of the war, it could go head-to-head with Germany’s incredible jet fighter; the Me262. But the story doesn’t end there as the Mustang continued its active service following WWII in multiple theatres, including notably as a ground-attack fighter in the Korean War (1950–53). During this time the ‘P’ was changed to an ‘F’ for Fighter.
Contrary Mary
“This most celebrated version flew at a maximum speed of 440 climbing could reach a ceiling of almost 42,000 feet (that’s above the most commercial jets!)”
The livery is that of ‘Contrary Mary’ - USAAF 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group USAAF (Duxford, UK) as flown by pilot Lt Col Roy B Caviness. Lt. Col. Roy Caviness was a highly decorated USAAF pilot. The Squadron was stationed at Duxford with its primary mission being to escort heavy bombers to Berlin. But they also took part in fighter sweeps and ground-attack missions.
Can I have a go!? Yes! If you fancy getting your hands on Mary please contact www.warbirdflights.co.uk for the ultimate warbird experience. If there’s two of you, you could even go for a tail-chase with a two-seat Me109 or fly wingman with a two-seat Mk. IX Spitfire! For information on owning a warbird or a vintage aircraft, please contact
ww.TASCvintage.com
Spec: Type:
North American P-51D Mustang
WIR SPRECHEN DEUTSCH - ASTRID AYLING: +44 (0)208 549 5024 - Astrid@avbuyer.com
Wingspan:
11 m
MGW:
5,490 kg
Powerplant:
1,490 hp
VNE:
440 mph (IAS)
Cruise speed:
360 mph (IAS)
Service ceiling:
41,900 ft
More info:
www.TASCVintage.com
MARCH 2022 HISTORIC AIRCRAFT EUROPE 41
