P-51D Ordnance

[AWwrgwy]

I am also aware that looking for evidence in hindsight is not always possible.

Hindsight is 20/20.


wrongway

[5PointOh]

I too have read that 51s "could" carry 10 rockets.  So I set out on a search to locate a picture or some kind of document stating proof.  Never did find anything of that sort.  Most of the time you will see one pylon per win and six zero length launchers.  

Close up of six rockets and 38 style drop


Loaded 51


But on the other hand...

[Krusty]

Well if it never did, P-51D should have its weapons options modified. It would be like a C205 carrying 500lb bombs under each wing.

Might love it, if you're a C2 fan, but frankly it neve happened, and shouldn't be in-game (if ya see what I mean).

[Chalenge]

That I don't believe for a second.  With all the unit histories, photos, Mustang information etc out there, if there is proof of 10 HVAR rockets loaded out for WW2 combat, you can find it.  Again the Iwo birds appear to be the 51s that got rockets.  And due to the range issues, they had to carry DTs meaning no more then 6

Sorry I cant agree with you. WWII was a completely different era than the one we live in and yes there were 'shutterbugs' but there was nothing like what we have today with a camera in every pocket and mounted to every wall. Yes a P-51D could have carried ten rockets and no one thought to take a picture for the later ages of would be doubters.

[Ack-Ack]

Just because you dont have a photo of it doesnt mean it didnt happen. It IS specifically mentioned in the P-51 pilots manual after all.

Just because it says so in the manual doesn't mean it was done operationally.  P-38s were capable of carrying rockets (early model P-38s equipped to carry bazooka rockets, later models HVAR) but operationally it was rarely done, if at all.

Just because a plane is designed to be able to carry something doesn't always mean it used them in reality.  If there was a photo or AAR to be found that shows or tells of a Mustang carrying 10 HVAR rockets then Dan would have found it during his research and interviews with WW2 pilots.  The fact that he says he can't find any evidence that details their use, I am inclined to believe his assertion that they weren't used in the ETO or MTO.


ack-ack

[Guppy35]

Sorry I cant agree with you. WWII was a completely different era than the one we live in and yes there were 'shutterbugs' but there was nothing like what we have today with a camera in every pocket and mounted to every wall. Yes a P-51D could have carried ten rockets and no one thought to take a picture for the later ages of would be doubters.

But keep in mind that they had 'frag orders" too listing the weapons load out for every mission.  Those are still around and most unit histories use them.  One I have for the 428th FS, 474th FG has every mission, pilot, aircraft, and loadout listed in it.  So if it happened, there is documentation out there. 

Again, just because they could, didn't mean they did it. 

[Guppy35]

I too have read that 51s "could" carry 10 rockets.  So I set out on a search to locate a picture or some kind of document stating proof.  Never did find anything of that sort.  Most of the time you will see one pylon per win and six zero length launchers.  

Close up of six rockets and 38 style drop
(Image removed from quote.)

Loaded 51
(Image removed from quote.)

But on the other hand...
(Image removed from quote.)

Note that top photo is an Iwo Mustang.  Seems like I posted that one before too

[Soulyss]

Let's cut to the chase here... does this mean I can load Torpedo's on my P-38 and finally show those damned town buildings who's boss?

I even have the photo's to prove that the 38 could carry and release two torpedo's.

[5PointOh]

Note that top photo is an Iwo Mustang.  Seems like I posted that one before too

It may be the same plane, not enough detail or plane to make the call.  Note the second photo has the rail setup...

[Guppy35]

It may be the same plane, not enough detail or plane to make the call.  Note the second photo has the rail setup...

Yep, but that's a late 50s early 60s South American used 51, Dominican AF I believe.  There are many photos of Korean USAF 51s with both rockets and bombs or rockets and napalm.  Not 10 rockets however.

As for that other photo, is I think you might have saved an image I posted before.  They are both Iwo 51s.  78th FS, 15th FG.  Not a complaint btw

[lyric1]

Let's cut to the chase here... does this mean I can load Torpedo's on my P-38 and finally show those damned town buildings who's boss?

I even have the photo's to prove that the 38 could carry and release two torpedo's.

I have similar pictures however I think they are all test bed situations no combat usage.

[5PointOh]

Yep, but that's a late 50s early 60s South American used 51, Dominican AF I believe.  There are many photos of Korean USAF 51s with both rockets and bombs or rockets and napalm.  Not 10 rockets however.

As for that other photo, is I think you might have saved an image I posted before.  They are both Iwo 51s.  78th FS, 15th FG.  Not a complaint btw

I save ANY b and w photo of a 51 I can find!

[lyric1]

Yep, but that's a late 50s early 60s South American used 51, Dominican AF I believe. 

Not 100% sure but I think that maybe a Yugoslav 51? Very similar markings to the units that flew desert B24's with USAF units during WWII.

[Ack-Ack]

Not 100% sure but I think that maybe a Yugoslav 51? Very similar markings to the units that flew desert B24's with USAF units during WWII.

No, Dan is correct.  The FAD (Fuerza Aérea Dominicana) and the roundel give it away as a P-51D the Dominicans had purchased from Sweden in the early 1950s.


ack-ack

[Steve]

Wouldn't mind the 110 gal DT's. Would let me carry another 25% less fuel on my usual flights.

Wow.  How much fuel do you take?