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Resp:P-51B-5-NA. All the B-1 were 43-12093 through 43-12492. At the time this pick was taken it was not yet assigned to 4th FG as no squadron codes have been applied - also does not have apparent filler cap indicating Depot installed 85 gallon fuse tank but image is not clear enough.
Yes, you are right. The first flight of the first converted Mustang Mk1A was not until 13 Oct 1942. One book says that the first P-51A converted to Merlin power in the USA occurred on 30 Nov 1942, but since the P-51A was not even yet in production then, that cannot be exactly right.
Hmmm, according to the same book, Production Line to Front Line, it says that an NAA employee, George Wing, invented a new harder rivet for use in the Mustang wing that replaced nearly 800 rivets and bolts, giving a 60% weight saving and a 200 % increase in shear strength. TRUE and he started his own company after WWII. Think his first proprietary product was the Hi Shear rivet.