A few 'amateur' P-51 Mustang questions ...

[bdk]

You can see one of the trucks on the canopy rail in this photo, just to the left of the red square:

[51fixer]

Thanks again fellas, actually is quite fascinating stuff IMHO. And yes indeed it would be nice to see photos of these details. Fun to learn some of this stuff.

Again, do today's mustangs have an external key lock on the canopy / cockpit area? Or is that not really necessary?

Some due have some way to lock the canopy but we never do.
Usually in our hangar or has a canopy cover installed if left out at an airshow.
Airshows have security usually so rarely is it left unattended and parked unsecured.
Not much of a need to lock it.

[bdk]

Not much of a need to lock it.

Until now, since all the secrets of how to open it have been revealed...

Now we need to figure out where the ignition key goes!

[Mark Allen M]

Although I do understand the logic behind security and canopy covers at airshows and the like, there could be additional logic to have a way to secure the canopy with a key lock type system for when perhaps traveling somewhere not airshow related and leaving your P-51 sitting on a ramp unattended overnight. After all a P-51 is usually worth several Mil. (I would also guess plenty of pre-travel logistics and planning are worked out in advance. i.e. someone's spare hangar space overnight, security etc.) Additionally who would turn down an owners request to park his/her P-51 in your hangar if you had extra room for a night.

I never really thought about locking up your mustang on the road until now I guess. Doesn't sound unreasonable.

[51fixer]

Not much of a need to lock it.

Until now, since all the secrets of how to open it have been revealed...

Now we need to figure out where the ignition key goes!

I remember a Baa Baa Blacksheep episode where they removed the main fuse.
That"ll teach ya!

In all honesty adding a mechanism to lock the canopy is a modification, i.e. not stock, requires paper work to be legal. It also adds complexity and if it failed during flight would it lock the canopy closed?

Haven't heard of too many warbirds being stolen lately, its happened I know. Also theft of A/C or equipment usually is considered a Federal Offense. Not worth messing with.

[Mark Allen M]

Haven't heard of too many warbirds being stolen lately, its happened I know. Also theft of A/C or equipment usually is considered a Federal Offense. Not worth messing with.

I was thinking more on the lines of someone getting into the cockpit when no one's around (late at night possibly) and messing with stuff. Reason I see that possibly happening is because I did it once long ago at the Santa Monica Museum of Flight at a Halloween party. The museum moved all their aircraft (at the time) outside the building all parked in a line. Foolishly I opened a door inside the museum leading out to where the planes were lined up. No one was around so I climbed up on their P-47 (Jackies Revenge) and opened the canopy which was cracked open a bit. I sat in the cockpit just for a few seconds and then got the heck out fast. Not a smart idea and quite disrespectful to other peoples property I'll admit. Stupid move back then. (still in my 20's) Didn't mess with much and didn't break anything but it was certainly trespassing. Anyway that was my thinking towards the locking of the canopy thing. OK I'll shut up about it now.

M

[JimH]

canopy covers? it leaks...sun baking the parachute(s)...protecting avionics...lots of reasons to use them

Jim

[BigGrey]

There was a Mustang stolen in 1984 and recovered four months later.

http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/?s ... l/44-74977

Jim, I will never forget the look on Mac's face when we walked out of the terminal at Catalina Island airport after eating lunch, and a tour bus load of Chinese tourists were crawling all over and in Mac's and Jack's Stearmans.

Les

[Iclo]

Thans for the explanation.

Regards

Loïc

[bdk]

In all honesty adding a mechanism to lock the canopy is a modification, i.e. not stock, requires paper work to be legal. It also adds complexity and if it failed during flight would it lock the canopy closed?

And most of these problems are likely "inside jobs" anyhow...