How many P51 varients were produced other then B and D

[yanksfan]

We have the pony B and D models, what were the others produced for combat, what were there differences , what were there purposes, and how long did each see action?

Don

[uptown]

P51/F6A,A36,P51A,P51B/C,P51B,P51C,P51D(2types),P51K,and P51H.

[Motherland]

I know that the P51A was the Allison engined version. As far as I know it was fairly unpopular.
I think that the C was more or less similar to the B, but I may be wrong there.

[RATTFINK]

    * P-51: 150 built
    * P-51A: 310 built at Inglewood, California
    * P-51B: 1,988 built at Inglewood
    * P-51C: 1,750 built at Dallas, Texas
    * P-51D: A total of 8,156 were built: 6,502 at Inglewood, 1,454 at Dallas and 200 by CAC at Fisherman's Bend, Australia
    * XP-51F: Three built
    * XP-51G: Two built
    * P-51H: 555 built at Inglewood
    * XP-51J: Two built

P-51D being assembled, Inglewood CA.

    * P-51K: 1,500 built
    * P-51L: None built - cancelled
    * P-51M: One built at Dallas

[uptown]

From what I'm reading, the only difference in the D and K is that the K was built in Dallas and the d was not. Also on the D models, 1 had a dorsel fin and 1 didn't.

A 20mm pony called the MarkIA was produced in late 41' but only 93 were ever made. So I guess I'll never see one of them in the game 

[yanksfan]

What are some of the major differences in the varents and what were their roles?

[storch]

you forgot the CA-17s made in australia and the cavalier mustangs which were P51Ds remanufactured in the 1960s with some significant changes to the airframes and the USAF purchased a few of them.

http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51variants/Cavalier.shtml

[uptown]

What are some of the major differences in the varents and what were their roles?

Gun packages and horsepower are the big differences...and canopy. The A36 and P51A had a bird cage canopy and only 4 .50cals. One model even had 4.30cals and 4.50cals. These planes were limited to carrying only 2000lbs of ord, because of the underpowered engine I would guess.
All the models from the D on up could carry 3000lbs of ord, more fuel and had 6 .50 cals. The 51H had the biggest engine with a cruising speed of 487, and was lighter by 6 or 7 hundred lbs.
As far as their roles, ground attack,bomber escort and fighter.

P.S. the supercharger was introduced in the D models

[Guppy35]

F6's were recce birds.  51B/C same bird, different production plant.  D/K same bird, different production B at Inglewood CA, C at Dallas TX, aeroproducts propeller on the K, Hamilton Standard on the D.  K suffered from some problems with vibration of the hollow aeroproducts prop.  K canopy was a bit flatter which gave a less distored view then the rounded D model canopy from the Inglewood plant

In the end you are talking the early Allision birds including the A-36 which was a 'dive bomber' with dive brakes, and then the two Merlin versions B/C, D/K   H model was postwar lightweight.  It never saw combat.  D/Ks were recalled for combat in Korea because of their loiter time and weapons load. They lost a lot to ground fire.

A/B and C models either had the birdcage Canopy or the Brit made Malcom hood.  It was rare on an Allison bird, but there is photo evidence of it's use in 44-45 in the ETO

[yanksfan]

Why does the 51 carry a "P" designation rather then an "F" and whats the difference?

[Chalenge]

Gun packages and horsepower are the big differences...and canopy. The A36 and P51A had a bird cage canopy and only 4 .50cals. One model even had 4.30cals and 4.50cals. These planes were limited to carrying only 2000lbs of ord, because of the underpowered engine I would guess.
All the models from the D on up could carry 3000lbs of ord, more fuel and had 6 .50 cals. The 51H had the biggest engine with a cruising speed of 487, and was lighter by 6 or 7 hundred lbs.
As far as their roles, ground attack,bomber escort and fighter.

P.S. the supercharger was introduced in the D models

A36 and P51A/B/C could 1000 lbs and D on up 2000 lbs.

Also the A36 had six .50 cals and the P51A had only four .50 cals.

You also forgot the P51 which had four 20mm.

[yanksfan]

you forgot the CA-17s made in australia and the cavalier mustangs which were P51Ds remanufactured in the 1960s with some significant changes to the airframes and the USAF purchased a few of them.

http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51variants/Cavalier.shtml

(Image removed from quote.)

Nice find! 

[Soulyss]

Why does the 51 carry a "P" designation rather then an "F" and whats the difference?

The "P" designation refers the aircraft type "pursuit".  Sometime after WW2 the aircraft type was re designated "F" or "Fighter".  Essentially it was a naming convention the mission of the two types was the same.  At least that's my understanding of it.

[Spikes]

You also forgot the P51 which had four 20mm.

I *think* that is the P51C, or am I mistaken?

[Motherland]

I *think* that is the P51C, or am I mistaken?

No, it's the P51. No alphabetical notation.