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There is no way a P-51B would be used as an interceptor it was specifically optimised for LR escort, there were 100 available at the start of big week, the P-51D was an improvement as a long range escort. What would they intercept and where?The reasoning I came up with this topic was that the stuff I've read here about the P-51B/D in interceptor trim (weight between 8600-8900 lbs) and higher boost numbers (75-80") could mean top speeds of over 450 mph and climb rates of 4800-4900 fpm. At 80", and at lower altitudes, there was actually little to choose between a P-51D and P-51H at similar weights.
And as far as the XP-51F being about 25mph faster than a P-51B/D on the same power, that was mostly aero (new wing profile, new radiator duct) vs light weight, which did help with climb (main thing that the Lightweight Mustang program tried to improve).
I would give the lightweight Mustangs an edge as far as maintenance, especially engine changes or engine work. But even then there were few complaints about the earlier Mustangs being difficult to work on.
But I do wonder if the LW P-51s (including the H) were really needed or wanted from a performance standpoint (not counting that jet fighters were on the horizon). The USAAF were interested in the F/G as interceptors, but they became of little more than academic interest due to the shift in wanting longer ranged fighters, hence the H was developed in preference. Also, the LWs were of interest in that their designs were influential on the F-82s.
So I guess what I'm asking is maybe the B/D undersold as far as maybe being interceptor aircraft from a performance standpoint vs the lightweights and the H given the timeline of how World War II actually unfolded?
I have read them, and I have read his book too. The P-51 could have been used as an interceptor, but in a different war. I ask again, where and when would it be used as an interceptor, and why, bearing in mind the Spitfires and Meteors available.Maybe you should read some of the discussions I've had with drgondog about the qualities of the Mustang, not to mention that the original B/D models were developed before the USAAF wanted the 85 gallon fuselage tank added.
While the V1 and V2 threat was real the strategic bombing offensive was diverted to eliminating it, almost all types were tried out on diver patrols, not many P-51s though. It was useful research but limited in the case of the P-51.. Whatever the 9th and 8th were assigned P-51s for and why it wasnt as an interceptorConsidering that the RAF used them to intercept V-1 flying bombs and they were the main fighter for the RAAF post war (until replaced by Vampires and CAC-built Sabres, CAC also built P-51s under license briefly post war), there was obviously some scope for them to be interceptors, especially given their performance on light fuel and 80"/25lbs supercharger boost. ANG units used P-51Ds and Hs as interceptors until replaced by jets. As did other European air forces post war who couldn't get or didn't want Spitfires.
You might as well also give the Brits grief for not using their Merlin P-51s for bomber escort at first. Other than V-1 interceptors, most Merlin Mustangs were first assigned as fighter bombers for the 2nd Tactical Air Force. Even the USAAF almost made that "mistake" when the first P-51B/Cs were delivered to the 9th Air Force, instead of the 8th's fighter units.
I've also read, speaking of CAC, that they wanted to license the P-51H as well as the D, but given that they never built any, either that's false or they ultimately turned down the license, given that they felt that the D on higher power ratings was enough until jets could take over the fighter role, and/or the H was sufficiently different from the D from a production standpoint.
Not to mention that with the H the USAAF didn't completely give up on the interceptor deal, since there were plans to use P-51Hs with reduced fuel tankage as kamikaze interceptors in late 1945 had the war continued.
It was a condition of the RAF getting P-51B and Ds that they were available for bomber escort of US forces.That may be true, given that the P-51 (even in Allison form) had longer range than say the Spitfire and similar to or slightly better than the Tempest (and the Merlin versions were better even on wing tanks). However, I don't think that the RAF started to commonly use P-51B/D types on bomber escort until around the time that P-51Ds were delivered in numbers to the RAF (fall of 1944). Oddly, the 2nd TAF got a lot of the Mustang IIIs at first, and used them either as fighter bomber or fighter bomber escorts.
I do also remember that the units that got Mustang IIIs didn't particularity care for their planes being used for anti-V1 work because of them operating at 80"/25 lbs boost due to durability worried at the time.