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1:48 P-51B MUSTANG

1:48 P-51B Mustang

Item: TAM61042
Dimensions: (H x W x L) 0.0 x 0.0 x 0.0
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1:48 P-51B Mustang
Item #61042

About the North American P-51B Mustang

The Allison engine powered P-51A Apache, was derived from the
original RAF Mustang 1 ground attack and photo reconnaissance
aircraft. Long before anyone had even heard of a Mustang, the
plan to put a Rolls Royce Merlin engine into the airframe had
started. The Merlin was powering some of the best warplanes in
England; the Hurricane, Spitfire and the Avro Lancaster bomber.
To develop a new engine for the P-51 would take considerable
time, which the allies did not have.

In September 1940, the Packard Motor Company of the U.S. began
license production of the Merlin V-1650-1 engine in Detroit,
Michigan. With a new supercharger drive, a new V-1650-3 was mated
to the first P-51B. Both the U.S. and England started the Merlin
engine modification idea almost simultaneously. 10 airframes
were modified in the U.S. with the Merlin and these became the
basis for the most successful fighter series of the war.

Flying for the first time on 30 November 1942, the XP-51B was
soon modified with a larger coolant radiator scoop, which
actually increased its top speed by 50mph and gave it a higher
ceiling by 10,000 ft. The addition of an 85 gallon fuel tank
behind the seat increased the P-51B's already excellent range,
and it could now escort the bombers all the way to the target and
back. P-51B Mustangs began arriving in England in September 1943
with the first Mustangs going to the 3354th fighter group at
Boxted, England, and ended the war with the most air to air
victories. A total of 3788 P-51B's were produced.