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Also, did the H have the AN/M2 or M3 for armament? The F-82s got the M3 as did apparently some late production P-51Ds, but what did the H's get?
Yes - The P-51B-15 hogged out at Max GW Internal load out (269gal, full amor) WITH wing racks; At 75"MP top speed 444mph at and ROC = 4360fpm mac; Time to climb to 20000 ft ~ 5min.I've been digging though threads about the Merlin Mustang's development (both production and lightweights), and I wonder if the P-51B/C/D/K would've been a good interceptor when "flying light"? Namely, loaded with half fuel or enough fuel to handle a Spitfire type interception mission? I did read at a TO weight of 8600 lbs that the XP-51B did do over 450 mph and was capable of a 4800 fpm climb rate (better than the Hawker Tempest), but that was when loaded with enough fuel to go between London and either the German/Dutch boarder or extreme western Germany.
Could a Merlin Mustang flying in "interceptor" trim (equal to or slightly heavier than an Allison Mustang in weight) been a good interceptor by World War II standards? For reference, I've seen mentions of the P-51H in interceptor trim (TO weight of about 8500 lbs) have up to a 6000 fpm climb rate, maybe more. Only planes that I know of that could do better than that were the XP-51F/G LW Mustangs (that were even lighter), and rocket propelled planes like the Me-163. I can't think of any thing that was a fighter that had a prop or a turbojet that could've done better in that period, at least that made it into production.
Was the A-36 Apache a failure?I would use my 20/20 hindsight and have all Muslang MkI Mk II/ P-51A that were taken by the USA after Pearl Harbour to be shipped to UK for fitting with two stage Merlins when avalable, cancel the A 36 and do the same until two stage Merlin production starts at Packard. Along with the Merlin, fit a Malcolm hood as was done to many P-51Bs. Job done.
No, The A-36 Mustang was successful as low level attack/dive bomber - but dive bombing as CAS support changed to glide bombing about the time the A-36 started production run , hence P-51A and B and C contract follow up.Was the A-36 Apache a failure?
o, I was just employing hindsight to come up with a completely impractical solution that may have had P-51s with Merlins earlier but certainly would have reduced the numbers of A 36 Spitfires etc.Was the A-36 Apache a failure?