Project "Seahorse"

[pampa14]

In September 1944, Mustin Field played host to trials for a very unusual aircraft, an P-51 Mustang which had been modified to evaluate its use from Navy carriers. The program was given the name "Project Seahorse".

An early-series P-51D, serial # 44-14017, was selected.A tailhook was fitted, which required an extended keel line on which to fix the tailhook attachment point. A catapult hook was fitted on the fuselage centerline, just forward of the wing. To cope with hard carrier landings, the tires were replaced with special high-pressure ones. The main undercarriage shock absorbers received increased air pressure to reduce bouncing upon landing. The airframe was also reinforced in various points to withstand the extra stress.

By early 1945, the islands of Okinawa and Iwo Jima were conquered. Their airfields were immediately taken over by US forces, providing fighter units with bases from which they could escort bombers to mainland Japan. The navalized P-51 was no longer needed and the program never went any further. The link below shows some photos this unusual Mustang version:

Aviação em Floripa: Um P-51 Mustang navalizado


Hope you enjoy!!!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Great post!

 

[Gnomey]

Interesting shots! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wayne Little]

Cool!

 

[nuuumannn]

Nice, but of course the lower ones don't show navalised Mustangs. The fourth pic down shows USS Boxer delivering Mustangs to Korea; she was too late to see service during WW2. The next down shows HMS Nabob delivering Mustang IIIs at Liverpool; the foremost has white wall tyres. It'd be interesting to find out more about the last pic since the aircraft already have unit markings and nose art. Any clues?

 

[rogerwilko]

More air pressure in the struts would make them bounce even more wouldn't they? Perhaps more damping.