RE: P - 51, Retractable gear or not?
Agreed.....A P-51 without retracts is just a silly toy!
If you know how to land a fighter, they will last a long, long time!
Remember: Elevator controls attitude. Throttle controls rate of descent!
Pilots who have problems with retracts are typically the ones that think a throttle stick is a toggle switch and rudder is for ground handling only.
Install them to withstand rough landings. Always do a preflight inspection. They will last for years!