Warbird Information Exchange

One of the posts in here mentioned a Mustang landing a rough field and almost going over. This brought on a question about current P-51 pilots. Most are seen landing the mustang as a wheel landing. What happened and for what reason are most pilots doing that then a 3-point???? Thought I know a few do and I thank them for it, its a real treat!!

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I think Frank Strickler told me 3-Points loosened rivets or something in the tail, nothing major but its easier to prevent the work.

And, these planes aren't flown that much......

Wheel landings are easier than three points when your a bit rusty

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One day I looked up and he's pushing 80...
He's got brown tobacco stains all down his chin.
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Civilian configured, light weight, non-armored, non-armament Mustangs are harder to 3 point. (The CG is much more forward as well as being lighter overall.) They do not settle down in 3 point and tend to float around in ground effect. Hard to make a precise touchdown especially in a cross wind. Easy to get one wing to stall before the other; this is not fun.

A heavy weight Mustang 3 points much easier.

Also, with a heavy passenger, the wheel landing is easier (slower landing speed) as the tail is lower. So do your pilot a favor & eat up!!

These are all fine points concerning landing speed and landing attitude.

And now for another stupid question from SOAD:
Whats a 3 point?

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The conquest of space is worth the risk of life. - Gus Grissom

All three wheels (main and tail) touch the ground at the same time. As opposed to the main touching down, then the tail settling as the a/c slows.

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typical wheel landing of a P-51



Martin

The wheel landing also gives you much better forward visibility during landing, as well as being much more positive in a cross wind. When the wind is really blowing (as it sometimes does in Reno) I follow an excellent piece of advice that I was given; "Just do your best Bob Hoover impersonation". Good advice.

The Sea Fury wing exceeds critical angle of attack before reaching the 3 point attitude, so wheel landings are definately preferred by most. In the 3 point she get's pretty sloppy and one wing invariably stalls first. Usually takes lots of brake to keep her going straight.

Bob Love used to 3-point his mustang (actually Jack Hovey's) at Reno quite a bit. Have it on video several times, would have to look to see what wind conditions were like. Was always impressed when he did it at how short his run-out was, when it hit the runway it seemed to be finished flying, less chance of the wind lifting a wing (i.e. Georgia Mea in 1985)?
Does the 3 point give you less rudder authority in a crosswind than the wheel landing?

I noticed this Mustang doesn't appear in the Warbirds Registry unless I missed it. I found it here:

http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/su ... 3279.shtml

I just now noticed that also.
I just recently meet the guy who flew 'Sweet and Lovely' during the war.
He has several photos of the original and the restoration one, ill see if I can get them for the WRG.

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The conquest of space is worth the risk of life. - Gus Grissom

Hey, thanks for pulling a photo off my website. Next time please ask though!!

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@ Tim: PM sent