The sound of a Mustang??

[Tulio]

I grew up listening and looking at F-51D Mustangs in Guatemala, for over 15 years, and on an almost daily basis.

So, the way a 51D Mustang sounds with the RR / Packard engine is to me, very distinctive.

There is a '51 based a couple of miles from me, at the Houston Executive Airport.

When this Mustang flies though, it sounds "different"

I know that the gun ports, the radiator exhaust and other factors, give the Mustang that particular sound when flying at speed.

Maybe this particular Mustang has no gun ports or they are covered?

What else could it make sound different?

Not the power / prop pitch...

Any ideas?

[JohnTerrell]

That would be N3333E "Glamorous Glenn III", which does have gun ports (though quite likely replica barrel tips only). It does not have the shell ejector chute openings, which is another detail that is sometimes referenced in possibly adding to the whine/whistle dynamics.

I remember reading once, from I believe Dudley Henriques, that the "distinct" Merlin sound, as he referenced it, was achieved when using the max military continuous/climb power setting of 46" MP and 2,700 RPM, and referenced using those power settings in airshow displays. Of course in cruise flight the power is quite reduced from that, especially if the pilot decides to really bring it back to max economy (there is a range of cruise settings, all the way from "economy-cruise" up to "climb-cruise", and various pilots/operators have their own desired settings). I've had the fortunate experience of having a Mustang based near me for some years, and it wasn't always as apparent flying overhead when the power was way back compared to when it was climbing out and still had the power up. I also will always remember reading a comment by Matt Jackson, who in referencing the John McKittrick landing accident, that he could hear from the ground as the aircraft was coming in to land that the prop was set at full 3,000 RPM rather than the pre-prescribed 2,700 RPM - that there is enough of a difference in sound between just those prop settings alone to note, at least by a trained ear, from the ground.

[Tulio]

Thank you, John.

Some times this Mustang overflies our airfield on its way to Executive.

Some times zi hear,it and see it corcling the area, and a few tomes it has made a pass alongside our runway.

When I haven't seen it, but heard it, it is plenty evident that it is a powerful engine, and it sounds a little like a Mustang.

No matter how it sounds, it is a Mustang!!!

I have yet to catch it with my camera, though...


Saludos,


Tulio

[Tulio]

Could it be, that the fuel plus the use of military power settings, produced a sound that is now different because of the fuel, and different power settings?

This is not of capital importance at all. It is just a question I have had for some time.

Saludos,


Tulio

[pitts91hs]

Glamorous Glenn 3 is based at that airport and it has gun ports

[sandiego89]

I would agree that power settings have a lot to do with it. The ones you remember seeing in military service were likely ran with higher manifold pressures.

I recall seeing my first Lancaster in flight a few years ago (Canadian, who made a special appearance at the annual Military Aviation Museum show in Virginia). I was expecting to hear 4 screaming Merlin's in close formation, but it was much more sedate than 4 screaming P-51s in close formation would have been. Still very impressive.