P-51 skinning

[greatgonzo]

Browsing through P-51 E&M I have been trying to find out what material was used for the skinning of the airplane. As far, as I can say it was alclad everywhere except 'exhaust panel' being made out of stainless steel. I would also suspect the parts like cooler scoop to be steel too, but I don't know really. Would anyone help me here, please?

[bdk]

The scoop, doghouse and doors are of primarily aluminum construction.

[51fixer]

Browsing through P-51 E&M I have been trying to find out what material was used for the skinning of the airplane. As far, as I can say it was alclad everywhere except 'exhaust panel' being made out of stainless steel. I would also suspect the parts like cooler scoop to be steel too, but I don't know really. Would anyone help me here, please?

The cowlings above and below the exhaust are alum with a piece about 6" in height immediately in contact with the heat of the exhaust being stainless. On the L/H top cowl the SS piece is along the bottom and on the L/H side cowl the SS piece is along the top of that piece. The SS piece in each of the cowls extends from the firewall to the spinner. The only other SS I can think of is used in the landing gear system. There is a rub skin attached to the alum formed skin on the inside of the inner gear doors. These allow the tire to slide on inner gear door when the doors open and the gear extends. There are also rub guards on the tailwheel doors and in the tailwheel well where it retracts.

[snj-5]

What about the leading upper edge of the flaps? Looks like SS (must rub against a seal on the trailing
edge of the wing to maintain flap aerodynamic effectiveness).

Aren't the ailerons "sealed" as well (again to maintain / increase aileron effectiveness)?

Bela P. Havasreti

[greatgonzo]

Thank You guys. And again to Rich, as it is not the first time You are helpful.
One more question. Am I right to assume the differencies of the fuselage panel shades seen on P-51 pictures of WWII era come as a result of light reflexing on aluminum alloy sheets? These would be coused by, let's say: different directions of final finishing of the tin, different direction of reflexies, different care taken by crews and so on, but not by different alloy types. Right?

Last edited by greatgonzo on Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[51fixer]

What about the leading upper edge of the flaps? Looks like SS (must rub against a seal on the trailing
edge of the wing to maintain flap aerodynamic effectiveness).

Aren't the ailerons "sealed" as well (again to maintain / increase aileron effectiveness)?

Bela P. Havasreti

Yes, your right.
My mind was stuck on the fus.
On the Ailerons there are U shaped SS pieces that grab a flat alum sheet that extends from the aileron forward. The fabric of the gap seal and balance weights attach to the SS U shape pieces. The other edge of the fabric attaches to the rear spar of the wing to seal air from freely flowing in the area between the aileron and the wing structure.

[51fixer]

Thank You guys. And again for Rich, as it is not the first time You are helpful.
One more question. Am I right to assume the differencies of the fuselage panel shades seen on P-51 pictures of WWII era come as a result of light reflexing on aluminum alloy sheets? These would be coused by, let's say: different directions of final finishing of the tin, different direction of reflexies, different care taken by crews and so on, but not by different alloy types. Right?

There are some different alloys used on the wing fairings. There are also different directions the grain of the skins run. There are also differences in the heat treat on the skins that require deep forming of compound curves, such as the curved skins just aft of the canopy.
Certain areas have an acid cleaning done where spot welds are performed.
These are usually the differences you see in wartime photos of newer A/C.
After months of use the metal dulls a bit from oxidation and exhaust depending on where it is in service.

[greatgonzo]

Thank You

[T-28mike]

You should pick up a copy of the -3 (structural repair manual), it has a good breakdown of what thickness and alloy various parts are fabricated from

[greatgonzo]

Good tip. Will start with radial engine fighters though. Thanks .