U.S. NAVY P-51D Mustang

[Shay]

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]

Dig the Essex markings on a mustang.

Very cool.

I wonder what my grandfather would have to say.

[corsair166b]

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]

Naval Mustang- very nice to see it

[Curtis Block]

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.

Last edited by Curtis Block on Thu May 08, 2008 12:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Mgawa]

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

[mustangdriver]

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]

I should have specified, sustained carrier operations.

[Jack Cook]

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

Sorry no pony for you

[mustangdriver]

I like puppies anyway.

[Django]

Wow, it looks good in Dark Sea Blue!

[Bill Greenwood]

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]

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.

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]

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

[Django]

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