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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
North American P-51 Mustang aircraft were originally produced in the U.S. for Great Britain. With the addition of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine the North American P-51 Mustang became the Allies premier escort aircraft of World War Two.
The original Allison powered North American P-51 Mustang aircraft were used for photo reconnaissance and ground support missions due to their poor high altitude performance. British models were designated as the NA-73 and were first flown in 1941.
In Dec. 1943 Rolls Royce Merlin powered North American P-51 Mustang aircraft first entered service over Europe as high-altitude escorts for B-17 and B-24 bombers on long distance missions into Germany.
North American P-51 Mustang aircraft downed over 4,950 Axis aircraft in air-to-air victories, more than any other aircraft in the European Theatre.
A large contributing factor in the North American P-51 Mustang aircraft high number of air victories was the K-14 computing gyro sight. The K-14 was especially useful in providing the correct lead for high deflection angles.
North American P-51 Mustang aircraft served in the Pacific where they escorted B-29 bombers to Japan and performed photo recon operations.
During the Korean War, North American P-51 Mustang aircraft were used primarily for the close support of ground troops and for reconnaissance through 1953 when they were retired from U.S. active service. They flew with the U.S. Air National Guard through 1957. North American P-51 Mustang aircraft flew in the air forces of U.S. Allies until being retired in 1984.
Today, highly modified North American P-51 Mustang aircraft fly as air racers at speeds of up to 500 mph around pylon courses. Numerous North American P-51 Mustang aircraft can be seen in exhibits and air shows.
If there is a single word that can be used to describe flying the North American P-51 Mustang, it is probably “great”! The aircraft had few bad habits. Its flying was rock solid.
The controls of the North American P-51 Mustang didn’t become overly heavy to the point of freezing with the increase of speed. That meant that the Mustang could be rolled quickly and with little trouble at high speeds.
A big help to pilots of North American P-51 Mustang aircraft were the rudder and elevator trim controls within easy reach of the left hand. By keeping the aircraft properly trimmed, control forces necessary for high speed combat maneuvers could be keep to reasonable levels. For accurate shell groupings on target, it was important to keep the rudder trim centered.
One sore point with many pilots of the North American P-51 Mustang was the fuselage fuel tank behind the pilot. While filling it was a necessity for long range missions, it positioned the center of gravity to the rear of the P-51. This made the elevator extremely sensitive. If forced to do any radical maneuvers with a full fuselage tank, such as in combat, the aircraft would react in an unstable manner. This could necessitate the reversal of control, pushing down elevator while executing a sharp inside turn in order to maintain aircraft maneuverability. Once about half of the fuel was depleted from the tank, stability returned to the aircraft.
During long range flights in the North American P-51 Mustang, it was necessary to first use the fuel stored in the external tanks. However, on shorter flights, the fuel in the fuselage tank could be used first.
Landing approaches in the North American P-51 Mustang could be made nose low, with touch down on the main wheels, rather than three point landings, in order to be able to see over the nose as long as possible.
A total of 14,855 North American P-51 Mustang aircraft were produced.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
US$ Cost
Crew:
Engine
Power:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Wingspan:
Length:
Prop Diameter:
Machine Guns:
Bombs:
Rockets:
Cruise Speed:
Max Speed:
Climb Rate:
Ceiling:
Range:
Year Deployed:
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fighter/bomber
$54,000
one
RR Merlin
1,750 hp
7,125 lbs.
12,100 lbs.
32' 10"
37' 0"
11' 4"
6- 50 cal.
2,000 lbs.
10- 5"
275 mph
437 mph
4,270 fpm
41,900 feet
2,300 miles
1942
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Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane by Bob Campbell
Radio Control Airplanes:
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There are numerous RC North American P-51 Mustang airplanes to choose from.
Pictured above is a 144" wing span North American P-51 Mustang radio control airplane scratch built by Bob Campbell. Power for the rc airplane is by a 1.40 cc in line twin.
Below that is a ARF trainer North American P-51 Mustang radio control airplane from Hanger 9. Wing span for the rc airplane is 58". The radio control airplane is powered by a .40 engine.
In the second picture below is the CMP ARF RC North American P-51 Mustang airplane. CMP P-51 radio control airplanes have wing spans of 71.5" for a 4c 1.40 engine, and 53" for .40 - .46 power.
Nitro Gas has North American P-51 Mustang radio control airplanes. There is a 68" wing span radio control airplane for .40 - .46 engines and a 68" wing span RC Airplane for .90 - 1.08 engines.
Like building your RC North American P-51 Mustang airplanes from plans? Flying Models has plans for North American P-51 Mustang model airplanes with wingspans from 29" up to 85".
Nick Ziroli has plans for a 96" wing span North American P-51 Mustang radio control airplane. Power for the RC Airplane is by 3.7 c.i.d. power or larger.
Giant Scale Planes has two sizes of North American P-51 Mustang radio control airplanes. A 53" wing span RC Airplane for 40 - 46 engines and a 72" wing span radio control airplane for 4c/1.30, 1.50 engines.
American Eagle has a kit for a 87" wing span RC North American P-51 Mustang airplane. Zenoah .62 and up engines power the radio control airplane.
Top Flight makes a 84.5" wing span ARF RC North American P-51 Mustang airplane. Power for the radio control airplane comes from 2.5 - 4.3 glow engines.
There is a kit from Meister Scale for a 90" wing span RC North American P-51 Mustang airplane. You will need .90 - 3.0 power for this radio control airplane.
Jack Devine Models has a kit for a 82" wing span RC North American P-51 Mustang airplane. This radio control airplane is for ST 3250 or G45 engines.
Like your RC North American P-51 Mustang airplanes smaller? How about a P-51 Mustang radio control airplane park flyer from JK Aerotech? The RC Airplane is made of foam and has a 38" wing span. Power for the radio control airplane is by a speed 400 or 1/2A to .15 engine.
House of Balsa has a kit for a 43" wing span RC North American P-51 Mustang airplane. To power the radio control airplane you will need at least a .20 engine.
GWS has a 34" wing span park flyer North American P-51 Mustang radio control airplane powered by a 370 size motor.
If you have a favorite North American P-51 Mustang radio control airplane of your own, or if you would like to recommend RC North American P-51 Mustang airplane plans, an ARF or a kit, please email us.
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Radio Control Airplane |
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RC Airplane from Hanger 9.
Radio Control Airplane
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RC Airplane from CMP .
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