P-51C-10NT vs. P-51C-11NT

[mike furline]

Found this question on another forum,
"Does anyone know what was the different between a P-51C-10-NT and a P-51C-11-NT. It seems that the mod took place at the factory."
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=22298

Any ideas?


TIA

[tulsaboy]

I can't speak specifically to the P-51, but in the case of B-24J-10-DT s/n 42-51430, (The Tulsamerican) the aircraft left the factory as a -10, and went to the Birmingham mod facility where it left as a -11. I feel like based on other tangential conversations about WWII aircraft, the small change in the dash number signified a certain set of modifications to the base block aircraft; what exactly those modifications were is not clear to me, and I would question the record keeping at the time and whether or not there exist comprehensive instructions on what constituted those modifications.

kevin

[10tweaker]

Kevin is right. The planes would have small modifications made which would roll the dash number but not necessarily enough to be a different version. A case in point is the P-51B-5 vs P-51B-7--the difference being the installation of the fuselage fuel tank. The planes would be delivered as -5s and then when modified with the tank, the dash would roll to the -7. I have a bunch of tech references for the P-51 and will look through to see what I find...


Jim

**POST EDIT**

I looked through some of the NAA Service News I have and couldn't find anything regarding the -11 C model. I'll look through the Technical Orders as soon as I can. In the mean time, I will post your question on the P-51 SIG.

Jim

[JBoyle]

I'm not sure if this adds much, but after reading the new B-47 book, they talk about the single digit block numbers.
Basically, we know about about Blocks indicating a major airframe or engine difference, would change from a block 10 to a block 20.
The smaller numbers usually are minor equipment differences...in later aircraft I'd guess avionics, but in something like a P-51, I'll say radio or minor instrument changes.

[10tweaker]

JB,
You're right on the money! Just got a reply on the P-51 SIG and the -11 was a C-model modified (by virtue of radio and compass differences) for service in the CBI.

Here's the SIG link:
http://p51sig.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=82&p=442#p442


Jim

[drgondog]

I nthink the last 400 -10NT received the dorsal fin mod at the factory.

It is not likely that radio changes would result in a block change - but I have been wrong before.