Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
After reading your post, I now conclude that the Mustang I had a total fuel capacity (in stock configuration) of only about 170 gallons.The P-51 carried its fuel in the wings, later a rear fuselage tank was added, however Mustang Mk Is delivered to the British at the start had capacity to swap ammunition for more fuel.
Posted by drgondog on another thread.
A lot of folks do not realize that the Mark I had much more range than the P-51B based on internal fuel. Each Mark I was delivered with auxiliary fuel cell kits (not self sealing initially but Firestone developed them by end of 1942) which replaced the wing ammo and gun bay - leaving 2x 50 cal in cowl. Straight line range was ~ 1700 miles. Three cells each wing for total increase of 54 Galls to 220+ gal total. I was not able to get specific operational details but obviously had the potential to recon Berlin (or Oslo) in 1942.
As far as I know yes. As I read itAfter reading your post, I now conclude that the Mustang I had a total fuel capacity (in stock configuration) of only about 170 gallons.
Which still doesn't answer my main question: Could ALL Mustangs from the A-36A/P-51A onwards carry up to 92 gallons (184 gals. total) in each wing?
Perhaps there's someone on this site who DOES know about that?I don't know if thestandard internal wing tanks were changed between Allison and Merlin versions TBH.
Oh there definitely is, I just "tagged" him. This site says the XP 51 was 170 gallons but the P-51A was 180 P-51 Mustang Specifications - MustangsMustangs.comPerhaps there's someone on this site who DOES know about that?
You should have tagged @ edgar SchmuedOh there definitely is, I just "tagged" him. This site says the XP 51 was 170 gallons but the P-51A was 180 P-51 Mustang Specifications - MustangsMustangs.com
Thanks for the advice, personally I dont keep the details of a change of fuel capacity of an aircraft by 10 gallons sometime around 1940/41 in my head.You should have tagged @ edgar Schmued
The NA-73/83 had 170 gal. NA-91 180/184 and each succeeding Mustang until the XP-51F/G/J and J carried 180/184. The 184 was actual maximum capacity of the design wing tanks - but 180 was used for planning purposes to account for warm up and takeoff.Perhaps there's someone on this site who DOES know about that?
Yes - from NA-91 Mustang IA/P-51-NA and A-36 through P-51A/B/C/K.After reading your post, I now conclude that the Mustang I had a total fuel capacity (in stock configuration) of only about 170 gallons.
Which still doesn't answer my main question: Could ALL Mustangs from the A-36A/P-51A onwards carry up to 92 gallons (184 gals. total) in each wing?
What do you mean by, "planning purposes"?The NA-73/83 had 170 gal. NA-91 180/184 and each succeeding Mustang until the XP-51F/G/J and J carried 180/184. The 184 was actual maximum capacity of the design wing tanks - but 180 was used for planning purposes to account for warm up and takeoff.
How much fuel you have to fly to and from the place you want to go, it is a more complex calculation than you would think at first.What do you mean by, "planning purposes"?
As In Mission Plan. If Recon in single ship or Element, no formation assembly required -Start and warm up at 1200 rpm at 20 gal/hr, taxi and take off at MEO, post takeoff and climb to cruise altitude leg at X/Gal Hr for 10 minutes, cruise leg at 60 gal per hour for 300 miles, Loiter at Z feet for 10 minutes at 40 gal/hour, Return leg of 300 miles at 60 gal/hr, Descend to 3000 feet at waypoint M - 40 miles from base, Account for 20 minutes loiter for bad weather, Land, fill out Form 1 - get a scotch at O-Club.What do you mean by, "planning purposes"?
Answered in the thread. ^^^^Wasn't 184 gal maximum fill but 180 gal maximum usable fuel?
Wasn't 184 gal maximum fill but 180 gal maximum usable fuel?
Hi all,
A lot of sources I've read suggest that the Allison-engined P-51 variants had an internal fuel capacity of 90 gallons in each internal wing tank (or 180 gallons total).
My question is this: Could the Merlin-engined Mustangs carry more fuel in the wings than their Allison-engined predecessors, or did all variants have the same wing tank capacity of 184 gallons?
Thanks