Project Propeller on Armed Forces Day

[Derek]

Great work Alex. I would have loved to have seen the spitfire.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Only after it had a British Rolls-Royce engine.

T.

..................P-51H Mustang........................................... ...........Spitfire

Horsepower: 2,270............................................. ......................2,218
Top Speed: 487mph.................@ 25,000 ft....................................387 mph
Ceiling: 41,000 ft .................................................. .................35,000 ft
Rate of Climb: 3,300 .....................feet per minute......................2,665

In September, 1940, the British ordered 150 P-51s as part of lend lease; while impressed with the maneuverability of the aircraft, they discovered that the British specified Allison engine limited its effectiveness to 15,000 feet, and relegated the aircraft to ground support roles. In 1941, at the instigation of RAF pilots, and with the assistance of USAAF General Carl Spaatz, six British P-51s were modified to accept Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. This improved the high altitude performace of the aircraft, and beginning in 1942 the similar Packard Series V-1650 engine replaced the Alison engine for Pursuit aircraft (the Alison was used for other applications).

The Packard engine was continually refined during the war (as was the Rolls-Royce Merlin) but Packard-engined P-51s out performed the Merlin Powered Spitfires, as may be seen from the above figures.

That the P-51 was, arguably, the best conventional fighter of WWII -- the Fw 190 being the other contender for that title -- is generally accepted as fact by most aviation historians. Proof?

Well, if you don't want to accept the performance figures cited above, then perhaps the fact that the P-51 remained operational not only throughout the Korean war, but well into the 1960s, 70s, and even into the 1980s (Air Force of the Dominican Republic flew them until 1984) may change your mind. (Not yours, Todd; some of the other Blokes who may read his. )

The P-51 entered production in 1939, with the last aircraft being delivered by Cavalier Aircraft in 1968. All in all, a pretty impressive record.

So like I said, "P-51 Mustang-- Cadillac of the skies!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (probably the best quote in the film, Empire of the Sun.)

[Bugbear]

I'm guessing that the two would sound quite different when flying over... I live under one of the flight streams from Wiliams Field where they fly some of those WWII plains from time to time. It's usually the B 17s that are most noticeable... Or at least shake my aluminum cottage the most.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Both the Spit' and the Mustang have V-12 engines, and they sound pretty much the same. I doubt you could tell the difference as they flew over your wee cottage in the Arizona Territory. A radial engine, on the other hand, has a totally different sound, and it's is unlikely you'd confuse the sound of a T-6 (Texan) with either the Spitfire or Mustang.

[Bugbear]

A retired pilot used to live across the street from me, and would point out which ones were which, but he moved a few years ago. I guess they have air showes over at the field.

I've gotten to where I don't pay attention unless they're unusually low or strange sounding.

Anyway, interesting discussion.

[English Bloke]

Good pictures Alex. It's nice to see that you're looking after 'the few'.