Fighting Irish Forums

Oh man, is it ugly or what?

http://www.unrealaircraft.com/hybrid/

see the Benz - Hurricane too

...is a P-51B with the Allison Engine.

The -C had the same engine, but was fitted with a Malcolm Hood (the dome plexiglass canopy).

Both the -B and -C were Lend-Lease aircraft, the -B sent to the Soviets, while the Brits used the -C. The USAAF didn't care for the poor performance at altitude, as the current philosophy here was to build for high altitude and high speed. So they were passed off to allied forces before we even joined the War.

The Soviets, however, found it to be a satisfactory low-level fighter, with good low-altitude performance. It fitted well with their preference for low-altitude fighting.

It was not a common aircraft, as relatively few were built, and the Soviet pilots preferred the P-39 due to it's heavier firepower. The centerline cannon did have a certain appeal.

I don't recall ever hearing/reading about production dive brakes fitted to a P-51, though field mods were very common.

That raised tube on the engine cowling is a dead giveaway (supercharger intake for an Allison), that's the same engine as the Kittyhawk. Rest of it is Mustang.

Where?

Where?

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