P-51 Mustang operations on aircraft carriers

[pampa14]

I share with you some photos showing P-51 Mustangs on aircraft carriers. There was a naval version of this plane? To see the photos, visit the link below:


Aviação em Floripa: Um P-51 Mustang navalizado


Cheers.

 

[Airframes]

Good stuff. As far as I know without checking further, one P-51D was used for deck landing trials, but didn't proceed further, the type not seeing carrier service.
Those pics showing the decks full of Mustangs will be of aircraft being transported for delivery to, via shore off-loading, land-based units.

 

[Koopernic]

The handling of the P-51B/D was considered unsatisfactory for carrier landings however the P51H was considered much better handling a carrier approach speeds due to the longer tail and bigger fin area in particular and development started.

These photos seem to be of strictly takeoff only delivery flights.

 

[net_sailor]

Here you got a full story of navalized Mustang:
Mustang! - Documents

 

[kool kitty89]

I wonder if any of the Allison Mustang variants would have proven a better basis for carrier conversion given the lower weight, wing loading, and stall speed. (possibly better lateral stability given the COG differences too) The A-36's dive breaks might have had some benefit for decreasing landing speed as well. (certainly for improving rate of deceleration but possibly also allowing slightly higher power settings on landing approach and added induced lift from higher velocity prop wash)

 

[Gnomey]

Good stuff!

 

[GregP]

Ineresting idea, kool kitty. Never considered that one.

 

[GrauGeist]

there was actually several P-51 types evaluated by the USN (P-51, P-51D and P-51H), we've had this discussion before in other threads.

On Pampa's page, there is a mix of transported land-based P-51Ds and the USN's evaluation trials aboard the CV-38 Shangri-La (the first four images are of the P-51D trails aboard the Shangri-La)