Why was the P-51 so fast?
Over the years, new features and technology were added to the P-51 to keep it updated with the times. These updates began as early as 1942 when the Mustangs were equipped with the British Merlin engine for speed. Adding the Merlin engine increased the speed of the P-51A (original Mustang) by 110 mph.
How far can p51 Mustang fly?
It had a maximum speed of about 390 miles (630 km) per hour and a combat range of roughly 750 miles (1,200 km). The use of external drop tanks nearly doubled its operational range to 1,375 miles (2,200 km).
How hard is it to fly a p51 Mustang?
The P-51D, which I flew, was a very straightforward airplane in every way. By that I mean it wasn’t difficult to fly or hard to handle, as long as you remembered a few basic things. First and foremost, you never forgot for a minute that it could bite hard if you got careless.
What made the p51 so good?
The Mustang, with its high speed, long-range, low-cost, and six . 50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns, made it the ideal fighter for the job. The P-51 dominated air combat in Europe, destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft. It was also a very capable fighter-bomber and could carry 1,000 pounds of bombs and rockets.
What does P stand for in P-51?
The P in P-51 stands for pursuit (plane). Pursuit was adopted during the First World War as the designation for what are now called fighters. It was probably a mistranslation of the German Jager (hunter or chaser). When the US Air Force was formed in 1947 it replaced the P with F, standing for Fighter.
Which is better Spitfire or Mustang?
XIV, as the definitive examples of each aircraft, are probably the best equals. A Rolls-Royce Griffon, the engine that powered the MKXIV Spitfire to a top speed of 437mph. In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter….Mustang Vs. Spitfire – Which Was Best?
| Aircraft | Mustang | Spitfire |
|---|---|---|
| Number Built | 16,000 | 20,300 |
What did the Japanese call the P 38?
Developed for the United States Army Air Corps, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament. Allied propaganda claimed it had been nicknamed the fork-tailed devil (German: der Gabelschwanz-Teufel) by the Luftwaffe and “two planes, one pilot” by the Japanese.
What does the P in P-38 stand for?
A master sergeant serving in the 30th Signal Construction Battalion in North Africa, Bandola began his acquaintance with the P-38 in 1943. “The P-38 was our means for eating 90 percent of the time, but the next thing I knew we were using it for cleaning boots, fingernails, screwdrivers, you name it.
How many guns did the P-38 have?
four
What was the P-38 called?
Lightning
What does the K in K rations mean?
The first procurement of K-rations was made in May 1942. Some believed the K-ration was named after Dr. Keys or was short for “Commando” (as elite troops were the first to receive it). However, the letter “K” was selected because it was phonetically distinct from other letter-name rations.
How many planes did the P-38 shoot down?
Between December 27, 1942, and December 17, 1944, he shot down 40 Japanese planes, still a U.S. record. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and twice was pulled from combat owing to the psychological impact on both sides should be he killed by the Japanese.
What engine was in the P-38 Lightning?
Allison V-1710
What was the range of a P-38 Lightning?
2,100 km
How high can a p38 fly?
25,000 ft.
Which is better p38 or p51?
The Mustang was more maneuverable than the P-38 and had a higher top speed. The P-51 didn’t suffer from tail-flutter in a high-speed dive as the P-38 did. The P-38 didn’t function as well in a cold environment, Its cockpit was famously cold, so it functioned better in the PTO than the ETO in the air superiority role.