P-51D with additional radio equipment in place of fuselage tank? (1 Viewer)

[Hoggardhigh]

For a long time I thought all P-51D (and K) Mustangs were produced with the 85 gallon fuselage tank, however at least two flight manuals make reference to early P-51D aircraft without the rear tank, but more radio gear in its place:

AN 01-60JE-1 Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions P-51-D-5 and Mustang IV airplanes

AN 01-60JE-1 Pilot's Handbook for Models P-51D and K series airplanes

Also this bit from Wikipedia (emphasis added by me): "P-51Ds without fuselage fuel tanks were fitted with either the SCR-522-A or SCR-274-N Command Radio sets and SCR-695-A, or SCR-515 radio transmitters, as well as an AN/APS-13 rear-warning set; P-51Ds and Ks with fuselage tanks used the SCR-522-A and AN/APS-13 only."

My question is how many, if any, P-51Ds were produced in this configuration or if it was a modification only?

Thanks

 

[NZTyphoon]

For a start, it's extremely doubtful that any P-51D/Ks were built with the SCR-274-N R/T - Pilot's Operating Instructions/Erection and Maintenance Manuals notwithstanding - because by the time the D became operational in the ETO, the only equipment used in fighters was the SCR-522 VHF unit (in fact, an American built variant of the British TR1143). The SCR-695A was probably confined to use on the continental USA and (possibly) the CBI, along with DF equipment. The SCR-515 was an IFF unit that could be fitted in conjunction with the SCR-695A and was rarely, if ever fitted to operational ETO P-51Ds.

An NAA Weekly Service News Supplement, describing the changes made to the P-51D-10-NA and D-10-NT production blocks stated:

MCR C-438-2
REMOVAL OF GROUP A PARTS FOR SCR-695A RADIO
With the installation of the fuselage fuel tanks it was not possible to accommodate the SCR-695a radio....This change became effective in production on and after airplanes P-51D-10-NA AAF 44-14053 and P-51D-5-NT AFF 44-11253.

In effect, this meant that all P-51D-10-NAs and all D-5-NTs were factory fitted with the fuselage fuel tank, deleting all wiring and equipment for the SCR-695A installation. Only 200 SCR-695A installation kits were held as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and could only be reinstated if the fuselage fuel tank was removed. This left about 800 P-51D-5-NA: again, most of these were retrofitted or factory built with the auxiliary fuselage fuel tank. All-in-all, it seems unlikely that more than 200 P-51D/Ks were ever fitted with the SCR-695A, if even that; chances are the equipment continued to gather dust, unless civilianised P-51s were retrofitted post-war.

 

[special ed]

For a start, it's extremely doubtful that any P-51D/Ks were built with the SCR-274-N R/T - Pilot's Operating Instructions/Erection and Maintenance Manuals notwithstanding - because by the time the D became operational in the ETO, the only equipment used in fighters was the SCR-522 VHF unit (in fact, an American built variant of the British TR1143). The SCR-695A was probably confined to use on the continental USA and (possibly) the CBI, along with DF equipment. The SCR-515 was an IFF unit that could be fitted in conjunction with the SCR-695A and was rarely, if ever fitted to operational ETO P-51Ds.

An NAA Weekly Service News Supplement, describing the changes made to the P-51D-10-NA and D-10-NT production blocks stated:


View attachment 863456

In effect, this meant that all P-51D-10-NAs and all D-5-NTs were factory fitted with the fuselage fuel tank, deleting all wiring and equipment for the SCR-695A installation. Only 200 SCR-695A installation kits were held as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and could only be reinstated if the fuselage fuel tank was removed. This left about 800 P-51D-5-NA: again, most of these were retrofitted or factory built with the auxiliary fuselage fuel tank. All-in-all, it seems unlikely that more than 200 P-51D/Ks were ever fitted with the SCR-695A, if even that; chances are the equipment continued to gather dust, unless civilianised P-51s were retrofitted post-war.

View attachment 863455

There you have it! Balsa in P-51s!

 

[p51flyby42]

Hi,
NZTyphoon, where did you get the Supplement? We would like to get the whole set if possible.
Regards,
Chris