U.S. NAVY P-51D Mustang

Shay · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 9:40 pm

This is with regards to the Naval mustang mentioned in the Mustang recovery thread.

ETF-51D Ser No. 44-14017

Flown on Carrier Operational test by Lt. Robert Elder from Sept. 44 to Nov. 44 at Mustin Field and aboard CV-38 USS Shangri-La.

From: http://www.mustang.gaetanmarie.com/articles/naval/naval.htm

What if....

Anyone know of the final disposition of this Mustang?

Another Navy P-51 to try and trace is P-51H Ser No. 44-64700

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Curtis Block · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 9:57 pm

Dig the Essex markings on a mustang.

Very cool.

I wonder what my grandfather would have to say.

corsair166b · **Posted:** Wed May 07, 2008 10:54 pm

I did a drawing once of a Corsair with Air Force markings on it-checkerboard nose, side codes, even the name 'old exterminator' on it....drew it with the regular engine and then one with a Mustang shaped nose for the Merlin engine...interesting stuff...who knows what MIGHT have been had the war run a year or two longer...

Never did hear any pilot reports on the 'SeaHorse' trials, how the Mustang handled during these flight cycles, would love to hear more from anyone who knows more....

M

Mgawa · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 12:06 am

Naval Mustang- very nice to see it

Curtis Block · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 12:33 am

You think they would have made the wings fold?

If so, then where?

Did they ever do similar trials with the P-40, P-47, or any other predominantly USAAF aircraft.

Mgawa · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 12:34 am

Wing folds on Mustang- technicaly possible but with big weight penalty!

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 12:50 am

Curtis Block wrote:

You think they would have made the wings fold?

If so, then where?

Did they ever do similar trials with the P-40, P-47, or any other predominantly USAAF aircraft.

P-40's and P-47's did take off from carriers during operation Torch.

Curtis Block · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 2:21 am

I should have specified, sustained carrier operations.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 9:08 am

Quote:

P-40's and P-47's did take off from carriers during operation Torch.

Sorry no pony for you :!:

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 9:18 am

I like puppies anyway. :lol:

Django · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 10:04 am

Wow, it looks good in Dark Sea Blue!

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 10:47 pm

That is very interesting. Sounds like a very talented and brave pilot. I would not like to be trying to bring a 51 aboard a carrier after a 6 hour escort mission. And man would it be a marginal thing going off the front end at full fuel load with big drop tanks. They might have been able to delete 2 or 4 of the guns and some armor to save weight if needed. I looked up the specs on Seafire XV, the early Griffon one version. Stall was 62k or 71mphpower off. They came in at 65 to 70knots or 75 mph to 80 mph. A wave off would be no problem, IF one was easy on the power. I don't have the specs for the lighter Merlin models.

famvburg · **Joined:** Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:41 am **Posts:** 540

Here's a thought. A Seahorse with c/r props like the later model Seafires. Hmm. Maybe even a Griffon with c/r props like the later Seafires, or, the Red Baron RB-51.

Bill Greenwood wrote:

That is very interesting. Sounds like a very talented and brave pilot. I would not like to be trying to bring a 51 aboard a carrier after a 6 hour escort mission. And man would it be a marginal thing going off the front end at full fuel load with big drop tanks. They might have been able to delete 2 or 4 of the guns and some armor to save weight if needed. I looked up the specs on Seafire XV, the early Griffon one version. Stall was 62k or 71mphpower off. They came in at 65 to 70knots or 75 mph to 80 mph. A wave off would be no problem, IF one was easy on the power. I don't have the specs for the lighter Merlin models.

uh1h430 · **Joined:** Sun Dec 30, 2007 5:38 pm **Posts:** 93

Gee great post but not the same airplane as the one we took off the post. But again thanks for sharring

Django · **Posted:** Fri May 09, 2008 2:27 pm

I can't stop looking at the Dark Sea Blue profile...

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U.S. NAVY P-51D Mustang

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