Help on P-51 identifying purpose of a part.

Robert Porter · Jun 30, 2017

Another forum I am on started a question on the item circled in Red on some P-51's. What is it? It appears on wartime and post war P-51's but not many so I would also love to know the models it was on. Thanks in advance for any help.

nuuumannn · Jun 30, 2017

At first glance it's an intake of some sort, but behind that panel is the lower engine bearer and ducting for the carburettor intake. It's only present on the left hand side, so looking at pics off the internet, there's tubing that runs to the radiator/oil cooler on the right hand side under that panel, but I haven't seen one of the left with that panel removed. Perhaps its an intake for cabin air to keep the pilot cool?

it appears present on only some 'D' model Mustangs, certainly not all of them.

WJPearce · Jul 1, 2017

According to Was That Too Fast, it is a battery vent. Although, it seems to come in different shapes and sizes. (Kurtsj00 image via flickr)

Old Wizard · Jul 1, 2017

nuuumannn · Jul 1, 2017

Ta dah! Good stuff.

Wurger · Jul 1, 2017

fubar57 · Jul 1, 2017

Never noticed it before. Nicely done Bill

Robert Porter · Jul 1, 2017

Thanks Bill! I have seen it on almost all K models but was not aware it was on D models as well. It seems like it was something that was sporadically added perhaps? Some kind of field mod perhaps?

WJPearce · Jul 1, 2017

It is hard to tell what is factory vs what has been added during a restoration. Below is a P-51C with the vent. (more after images)

So, I had a look in O'Leary's P-51 book. It has many factory photos, mostly from Inglewood. It appears that Ks (Dallas) have the vent from the factory, while Ds (Inglewood) do not. Let me put it another way: I did not see any vents on Ds at the factory, but I did see the vent on the a few Ks at the factory. I also did not see the vent on any factory Bs or Cs. I'm certainly not saying that all Ks had the vent and no Ds did, just reporting what I see from a limited number of photos.

Anyway, I think you are right Robert. The vent was on Ks mostly and added to some Ds.

Wurger · Jul 1, 2017

It seems that battery vent was located at the root of the main air inatke initailly. Probably it was re-located for late P-51s and might have been retrofitted with those earlier kites. Unless I'm wrong.

Please have look here.. TO 01-60J-19 Relocation of battery vent inlet line - P-51B, P-51C and P-51D

Make a focus on the part no.8 ..

Robert Porter · Jul 1, 2017

That's interesting! Very good bit of detective work there. Interesting scratch building fodder as well.

Help on P-51 identifying purpose of a part.

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Robert Porter

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nuuumannn

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nuuumannn

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Robert Porter

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Robert Porter

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