It could I think is the arguement/conclusion. Weather it actualy did or not, seeking absolute proof, will take a large investment of time into scanning through AARs or other documents/reports/logs that could/would contain information on actually loadouts used during combat in WWII. If one had to start anywhere though, I would wager my bet with the later pacific mustangs, they were probabley the heaviest laden for (long-range) ground support and escort missions. But again I would wager that's more paperwork to go through than vacation time I'll have in the next 2 years (if it exists).
I think it would be better to argue for a 10-rocket gun package, I haven't looked it up but I think it was the most the 51 could carry if it removed the larger pylons used for DTs and Bombs, but I forget if that was purely Korean era or not.
Given the capabilities of the P-38 and P-47 models though, I've never really understood why the 1000lbers + 6rkts P51 combo is such a curious issue in AH. In addition, it's not like the heavily laden mustangs don't suffer from their loadout selection.
I have a very extensive and large collection of AAR's and books concerning just about everything, those I have gone through show exactly that - Korean era P51's did carry rockets and bombs, however I cannot find any photo or AAR saying it carried it during WW2.
I take all my knowledge from these books, even AAR's you can't rely on entirely - for example I posted a humerous one a while back about the Marines on Midway and their AAR of the battle of midway. Some said the Zero were doing 450mph, etc however this is the kind of information that keeps me searching for more.
I enjoy researching specific details, like the 1000lb/rocket, however I have not come across any AAR's as of yet (then again I literally have thousands to go through), but I use the pictorials first since they can give away vital information like what squadron or such, it cuts down on the research time.
I rely 100% on facts, I go through two books and if both give me a general "Same answer" I have to believe this is the common grounds, I really have nothing else to go on, you can't look at wikipedia and say "oh yeah its here, this must be correct" I use everything I have to determine whats correct or not.
In the case of Lyric, showing the Ar-234 did not have rear guns, I have to absolutely agree - the books and AAR's I do have, do NOT show it having rear guns, might be one or two that did, however of all the photos taken, why don't none of them have rear guns?
There may not be any photos of the 51, however I just use pictures to "minimize" my research time - its a tool really, if I can see a 51 carrying 1,000lbs and rockets I can find out what squad it is, then go looking for AAR's specifically or buy the book on that squad so I can say "hey it did in fact carry it" and show the proof, otherwise as of right now I am completely against it .
