Mustang Is and P-51As - Pt. I

[Mark Nankivil]

Greetings All -

A few old North American photos for your perusal and viewing pleasure.

Enjoy the Day! Mark

[Warbird Kid]

Very cool!

To me the early versions of the p-51 and p-38 always looked faster.

[k5083]

Very cool!

To me the early versions of the p-51 and p-38 always looked faster.

You have a good eye; they were aerodynamically cleaner and, at low altitudes, faster than the P-38J and P-51D.

August

[Swiss Mustangs]

makes me all warm and fuzzy inside....

thanks a lot !

Martin

[Dan K]

Not being much of a Mustang expert, I found the following interesting concerning AG345 (second photo), borrowed (without shame or permission) from Joe Baugher's site:

Since the NA-73X had encountered very few problems during tests, production for the RAF began almost immediately. The first production Mustang I for the RAF (AG345) flew for the first time on April 23, 1941, well behind the original schedule. It was retained by NAA as a development machine, and was used in an extensive series of tests to iron out bugs and eliminate problems. Perhaps the most noticeable change was the extension of the carburetor inlet right up to the nose in order to give good ram recovery at extended angles of attack. This machine was initially unpainted, but it later got an RAF paint job with camouflage, but it remained at Inglewood and did not ever get any guns.

[Swiss Mustangs]

Not being much of a Mustang expert, I found the following interesting concerning AG345 (second photo), borrowed (without shame or permission) from Joe Baugher's site:

Since the NA-73X had encountered very few problems during tests, production for the RAF began almost immediately. The first production Mustang I for the RAF (AG345) flew for the first time on April 23, 1941, well behind the original schedule. It was retained by NAA as a development machine, and was used in an extensive series of tests to iron out bugs and eliminate problems. Perhaps the most noticeable change was the extension of the carburetor inlet right up to the nose in order to give good ram recovery at extended angles of attack. This machine was initially unpainted, but it later got an RAF paint job with camouflage, but it remained at Inglewood and did not ever get any guns.

make that photos #2, 3, 5, 6 & 7

and speaking about color:



Martin

[Dan K]

Thanks, Martin. I should have clarified that at first I didn't recognize the Mustang in pic #2 as being either a Mustang I or a P-51A (with the shorter carburetor scoop)--thought for sure I was looking at an NA-73. That was the nature of my surprise.

Some fine photos, though (for a pointy plane, that is).