P-51 Sunny VIII question...

[Lynn Allen]

I can do my full show with full fuel: wing tanks only at 92 gal. each (and baggage). With that, I need to set up with entry altitude at least at 3500' AGL, to have conservative margins. The reason for full fuel on some displays, is because at some locations I will leave the airshow site directly from the air to go home. Otherwise, less fuel means less weight and of course the airplane performs very nicely. Same margins and entry speeds and critical check points are flown. My goal is to fly a complete show at 3 Gs, using energy management with gentle, low drag pull ups. Plus, I'm using 46" or less for power. All this to conserve the airframe and powerplant.
I remember watching old Bob Hoover movies; I seem to recall he flew with 61" power and high G. Eight sided loops, square loops, vertical rolls and dirty rolls on takeoff need power and G. But engines and airframes were much cheaper then!
VL

Thank you, are there any weight restrictions while flying aerobatics in the Mustang??

[mlenoch]

From the manual, I do not recall any weight restrictions for maneuvering flight. The only restriction would have been that no maneuvers are allowed with fuel in the fuselage tank. The only external variable would have been the two wing pylons that would have fuel tanks or bombs loaded. Internally, the only variable would have been wing fuel and ammo belts for the guns.
Curious question for all fighter aircraft: When I was checking out in the A-37, I sought Viet vetrans to ask about their operating experiences in the Dragonfly. I was surprised to hear that they noted no G limits with wing stores. One pilot even said that he'd do multiple bomb and rocket deliverys from consecutive loops. Ole Kentucky windage delivery systems! I haven't had anyone concur on this story.
VL

[bdk]

Since the bombs and rockets load on the span of the wing, maybe they don't add enough bending moment to snap them off at the fuselage? Might even reduce bending moment allowing a higher G-loading. I'll have to think on that one!

[Glenn Wegman]

I believe that there is no CG or weight limit, but there is a limit of 400 mph ias with 110 gal drops or 1000 lb bombs and rockets.

I believe that is what the latest revision POH states.

[warbird1]

I believe that there is no CG or weight limit, but there is a limit of 400 mph ias with 110 gal drops or 1000 lb bombs and rockets.

I believe that is what the latest revision POH states.

When you say "latest revision", when is that from, like 1945? Are you talking about the Dash 1 or are you talking about an "unofficial operating handbook" that Mustang operators have put together. Is there such a thing?

[Glenn Wegman]

-1

July 30 1957

Actually it reads not to exceed 400 ias with drop tanks, bombs, or rockets.

Also this:

"Maneuvering Flight"

"Avoid rapid movement of the elevators at speeds above 350 ias to prevent rapid unconrtrolled increase in G-loads."

[warbird1]

-1

July 30 1957

Actually it reads not to exceed 400 ias with drop tanks, bombs, or rockets.

Also this:

"Maneuvering Flight"

"Avoid rapid movement of the elevators at speeds above 350 ias to prevent rapid unconrtrolled increase in G-loads."

Thanks Glenn. Wow, I didn't know they did revisions that close to it's retirement.

[CH2Tdriver]

-1

July 30 1957

Actually it reads not to exceed 400 ias with drop tanks, bombs, or rockets.

Also this:

"Maneuvering Flight"

"Avoid rapid movement of the elevators at speeds above 350 ias to prevent rapid unconrtrolled increase in G-loads."

Thanks Glenn. Wow, I didn't know they did revisions that close to it's retirement.

Well it's a good thing that NAA wasn't anything like Microsoft!

If they were...............

"As of June 30, 1957 NAA will no longer be providing support for the following airframes:
P-51D, P-51H, F-86A, F-86D, F-86E, F-86F

To continue to receive support users will need to upgrade their fleets to the minimal supported airframes:
F-86H, F-100C, F-100D"

Staying on topic, I have pics and video of Sunny VIII when I saw her October 3, 1994 when Poughkeepsie NY (POU) hosted a warbird airshow. She flew in conjuction with P-51's owned by Bob Tulius and Jeff Clyman. I will post them when I get a chance.

Pete