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Upgrade NowTake a look: http://users.lmi.net/~ryoung/Sonerai/bubble.htm
I emailed Neil about his bird (the top one in the link). Here was his response:
"I simply used the standard canopy and didn't cut the end off. The frame and hinge was also standard with the exception of making the rear bow lower to match the lowered turtle deck. Also I reclined the seat and moved the rudder peddles forward. This got me to sit lower in the airplane. Raising the turtle deck screws up the airflow across the rudder/fin and I think it ruins the look of the airplane."
Appears that the D was a tad faster that the first B and C. About as fast as you might jog, if that makes any real difference at 25,000 ft and 437 mph, as you are flipping around and trying to kill the adversary pilots and avoid being killed by a ME-262 or such. Basically the same speeds considering variations in individual aircraft. What was more important to the pilots was the much better visibility the bubble canopy provided. https://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/specifications/P-51C
Model | P-51B/C-1 | P-51B/C | P-51D/K |
Maximum Speed | 430 @ 25k | 439 @ 25k | 437 @ 25k |
Cruise Speed | 325 @ 10k | 325 @ 10k | 325 @ 10k |
Climb to 20,000 Feet | 7.00 | 6.90 | 7.30 |
Service Ceiling | 41500 | 41900 | 41900 |
Combat Range (no d.t.) | 755 | 1180 | 1155 |
... speed/Altitude | 290 @ 20k | 294 @ 20k | 294 @ 20k |
Range w/ drop tanks | 1450 | 1900 | 2055 |
... spped/Altitude | 290 @ 20k | 294 @ 20k | 280 @ 20k |
Another photo to add to my collection!Got a message from Jeff just a while ago and decided to sign in.
I never had any negative impact from lowering the T-deck. in fact, I think it let the fin do it's job better as there was less blanking as occurs with any raising of the back of the fuselage. Also I think most people thought it looked great. I did recline the back seat by moving the bottom forward and also moving the rudder pedals forward. I had plenty of room for baggage to go to Lakeland in 87. Completed in 1984.View attachment 15336
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