Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B?  
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Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 1:03:00 AM   
N1EDM



Posts: 1955
Joined: 7/19/2002
From: Brockton, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Hello, P-51 Guru's,

I'm thinking about a Scale model of a P-51C. But, of course, no one makes a P-51C in a kit, or otherwise.

Can anyone tell me the difference between a P-51C and the -51D or -51B variant? I'm thinking about kitbashing something, but want to know what type of kit/plans I should be looking for, and what modifications I'll need to make.

The most important question would be what, if any, external differences there are?

Thanks for your info,

Bob

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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 1:12:29 AM   
BobH


 

Posts: 4421
Joined: 4/1/2003
From: Springfield, VA,
Status: offline 		The B and C models are similar except the C model has the Malcomb hood. The D has a totally different canopy and aft top fuse section and dorsal fin. So as you can see there is a lot of difference between the D and the other two. Aeroloft makes a B version. You might look them up on the net and check it out.

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(in reply to N1EDM)
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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 1:30:40 AM   
N1EDM



Posts: 1955
Joined: 7/19/2002
From: Brockton, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks, Bob... Malcolm hood? I'm not familiar with that. Could you tell me what a Malcolm Hood was?

I knew about the bubble canopy - that's a no-brainer. Was the Malcolm Hood that quasi-bubble canopy over the pilots head in the razorback? Or does the Malcolm Hood refer to something else.

Sorry for showing my ignorance.

Thanks,

Bob

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Club Saito Member #61 AMA 4307
An expert is someone who has been doing it for 15 minutes longer than you.

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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 1:38:09 AM   
Shihtzutan



Posts: 325
Joined: 4/26/2003
From: Riverside, RI, USA
Status: offline 		Diff between B and C is the factory were it was built. The Malcom hood is a field retrofit. Go for the P-51A, they are classy and very rare.

(in reply to N1EDM)
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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 1:38:35 AM   
warbird51


 

Posts: 477
Joined: 2/27/2002
From: Newark, CA, USA
Status: offline 		The B was built in Inglewood, Ca. and the C was built in Dallas, Tx. That's the only difference between the two. The Malcom hood for the B/C was a field modification undertaken by the British and some were used by the USAAF. The D had the bubble canopy and 3 guns per wing instead of just 2 guns per wing in the B/C models. You will also see the dorsal fins installed on some B/C models, but the D's had them installed. That's the major difference between them.

(in reply to N1EDM)
       Post #: 5

RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 2:01:25 AM   
Topgun2mo



Posts: 1046
Joined: 1/10/2002
From: Slidell, LA, USA
Status: offline 		The Malcolm Hood, without a better way to describe it, is like a Spitfire canopy with a bubble over the pilots head.

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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 2:49:37 AM   
Wayne22



Posts: 4443
Joined: 4/10/2002
From: Edmonton, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		The dorsal fin was introduced on the D model to improve yaw stabililty. The cut down turtle deck reduced the side area, reportedly causing stability problems..the dorsal fin was the fix. However, some very early D models were build without the dorsal.

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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 4:04:54 AM   
Chad Veich



Posts: 2852
Joined: 12/13/2001
From: Litchfield Park, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Ok, I'll join the fun! As stated the B and C model are identical in appearance and both versions can be found with the flat canopy or the Malcolm hood. The dorsal fin was a field modification to some B and C Mustangs though I'm not sure why it was added. The D has the teardrop canopy and was introduced without a dorsal fin but one was quickly added to replace some of the side area (and stability) lost with the lowered rear fuselage. The B/C only had four .50s, two in each wing, while the D had six total. The leading edge strake (where the main wheel folds up into) on the D is much more pronounced than that of the B/C and the clamshell gear doors are slightly different as well. That's all I can think of, anybody got anymore?

Here is the Malcolm hood going on Jack Roush's P-51B restoration.



< Message edited by Chad Veich -- 3/3/2006 4:08:25 AM >

(in reply to Wayne22)
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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 5:09:41 AM   
BobH


 

Posts: 4421
Joined: 4/1/2003
From: Springfield, VA,
Status: offline 		Chad.. ya know the A wing was a totally different wing.. that would be neat to make..

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BobH.

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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 1:30:26 PM   
Chad Veich



Posts: 2852
Joined: 12/13/2001
From: Litchfield Park, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Bob, the A wing is the same as the B/C wing. The changes to the wing planform did not come until the D model. To me the early Allison powered Mustangs are far more interesting than any of the Merling variants, but I'm wierd that way. (just ask my wife)

(in reply to BobH)
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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 2:00:48 PM   
TLH101



Posts: 5540
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I read somewhere, that the stab on the B/C is slightly higher also. May want to check that out to be sure.

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(in reply to Chad Veich)
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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/3/2006 5:48:37 PM   
N1EDM



Posts: 1955
Joined: 7/19/2002
From: Brockton, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Wow, thanks for all the information!!!

For the record, the model will be a "C" variant (can't say why just now - don't want to tip my hand) but I'll definitely look at the stab on the plane that I want to model.

I'd also heard the comment that the C variant was a little bit faster than the B but I don't know (a) if it's true, or, (b) if true, whether it was due to a bigger engine (not likely) or something in the aerodynamics.

I'll also look in the wing root to see if there was a size difference in that leading edge 'bump' for the LG. My photos seem to show a slightly less pronounced LE there.

A closer inspection of my photos also shows that my particular plane did not have the Malcolm Hood, so I won't need to deal with that.

If I remember correctly, the Tuskeegee Airmen were issued P-51C's and had their tailplanes all painted red. A Tuskeegee airman that I know says that they never lost a bomber that they were guarding.

Thanks for all the info folks. Any more comments???

Bob

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Club Saito Member #61 AMA 4307
An expert is someone who has been doing it for 15 minutes longer than you.

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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/4/2006 1:19:39 AM   
BobH


 

Posts: 4421
Joined: 4/1/2003
From: Springfield, VA,
Status: offline 		Chad. sorry I was thinking about the A model with the Dive brakes. Duh Me.

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BobH.

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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/5/2006 4:18:55 AM   
50+AirYears


 

Posts: 1164
Joined: 7/29/2004
From: Lorain, OH, USA
Status: offline 		If you can find one of the earlier red box Top Flite P-51 kits, the plans show variants for the A36, A, B, and C versions. They also had a separate kit out to modify the base kit to a D model. I actually found the kit I have in a salvage shop for $25.00, and actually talked them down to $15.00. I hope to build it someday soon.

(in reply to BobH)
       Post #: 14

RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/5/2006 7:50:00 AM   
N1EDM



Posts: 1955
Joined: 7/19/2002
From: Brockton, MA, USA
Status: offline 		I was looking at that too - a TF Gold Edition P-51 with the B-modification kit. That might fit the bill. As it turns out, I don't need the Malcolm Hood, so the stock canopy (as long as it's close to scale size) should fit.

I wonder what other types of P-51B kits are available out there for, say, a Saito-120?

Bob

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Club Saito Member #61 AMA 4307
An expert is someone who has been doing it for 15 minutes longer than you.

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RE: Differences between P-51C and P-51D or B? - 3/5/2006 6:02:11 PM   
Tommy_Gun



Posts: 720
Joined: 4/7/2004
From: Ione, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Another difference that I doubt you would want to reproduce in a model is the marques before the "D" having a
thinner wing.

The wing was thin enough before the "D" wing such that the early variants guns were mounted on an angle.
This would cause belt feed problems under high G situations and possibly jam the guns.

The thicker "D" wing all