North American RAF Mustang III
Item #61047

Product Description

About the North American RAF Mustang III
The Rolls-Royce Merlin engine was powering the best warplanes in
England early in the war. To develop a new engine for the
fledgling P-51 would take much time and the allies did not have
it. In 1940, the Packard Motor Company of the U.S. began license
production of the Merlin V-1650-1 engine in Detroit. Both the
U.S. and England started modifications almost simultaneously. 10
airframes were altered and became the start of the most
successful fighter series of the war.
Flying on 30 November 1942, the XP-51B was soon modified with a
larger coolant radiator, which increased top speed by 50mph and a
higher ceiling by 10,000ft. The 85 gallon fuel cell installed
behind the seat allowed it to escort the bombers the target and
back. If there was on single fault in the P-51B/C design, it was
the canopy. British fighter specifications differed from the U.S.
so they requested that a sliding canopy was used on the early
Spitfire Mk's for greater headroom and vision.

The low profile canopy of the P-51B/C restricted visibility, and
offered considerable discomfort. North American engineers felt it
was necessary to reduce drag and maintain the high degree of
performance. Even a small pilot was forced to fly with his head
pressed against the top of the canopy for adequate vision during
take off, landing and combat. The Malcolm hood became a very
popular modification as it offered some considerable relief to
the pilot.

Suggested Paint Colors

AS-10 - Ocean Gray (RAF)
AS-11 - Medium Sea Gray (RAF)
AS-12 - Bare Metal Silver
AS-6 - Olive Drab (USAAF)
AS-9 - Dark Green (RAF)
X-1 - Black
X-10 - Gun Metal
X-11 - Chrome Silver
X-18 - Semi Gloss Black
X-2 - White
X-21 - Flat Base
X-4 - Blue
X-5 - Green
X-6 - Orange
X-7 - Red
X-8 - Lemon Yellow
XF-1 - Flat Black
XF-16 - Flat Aluminum
XF-3 - Flat Yellow
XF-5 - Flat Green
XF-56 - Metallic Grey
XF-60 - Dark Yellow
XF-63 - German Grey