P-51 experts - question for you

[oboe]

What is this dense area of rivets on both upper wing surfaces?



I can't seem to find any photo that corroborates it - I have a P-51 Walk Around book and a Mustang edition of Flight Journal.   Quite a few photos but nothing that looks like this area on the wing, as far as I can tell.

Thanks!

[cactuskooler]

Check out this link

http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/giacomo_gramazio/p-51d-25-na/

[oboe]

Cactus!   Thanks bud, that shows it perfect.   I supposed on painted wing surfaces they shouldn't be nearly as obvious?

[cactuskooler]

I would assume so. I was glad to find these pics as the rivets are clearly seen thanks to the wing being completely bare.

[USRanger]

Cactus!   Thanks bud, that shows it perfect.   I supposed on painted wing surfaces they shouldn't be nearly as obvious?

Many things seen on skins are for artistic purposes to make them look "cooler", even if not totally accurate, which I am all for!

[mechanic]

Are they rivets? They almost look painted on in the photo.

I suppose some form of strengthening around the wingroot and the weapons bays?

[Fencer51]

They are raised rivets, while the rest of the wing's rivets are recessed.  They are for attaching the landing gear assembly to the wing system.

[Imowface]

I thought they just ran out of sticks and mud so they need more rivets there 

[oboe]

Fencer -

Dunno why me PMs to you don't seem to go anywhere, and I dont' get a copy in my outbox.   But, did you ever submit the Down for Double P-51D skin you worked on for Gaboon?   I think I promised someone I'd work on that one but can't recall for certain, and I don't want to resubmit a skin you've completed and submitted.

Thx!

[uptown]

Damn you guys do your homework. No wonder we have some great skins . The research involved is interesting to me.