Gotta See

[earl1937]

   Prettiest "C" model I have ever seen! Anybody know where this beauty if based?



Two place fast transportation!

[SilverZ06]

North American TP-51C-10 Mustang NL251MX Betty Jane.

Betty Jane has been restored as a dual-control TP-51C trainer. During World War II, some single-place Mustangs were modified in the field with a second set of controls to serve as trainers and high-speed VIP transports. This Mustang carriers the construction number 103-22730. The original 103-22730 flew for the Army Air Corps as 42-103293 and was condemned as salvage due to battle damage on May 3, 1944. John Muszala collected P-51B and P-51C parts. Muszala and Max Chapman agreed to assemble a flying example of a dual-control TP-51C. Chapman reserved the registration N24177 for it in June 2003. It first flew after restoration on May 5, 2004. The registration NL151MX was reserved for the airplane on June 25, 2004 and taken up on August 28, 2004. It won Best P-51 at Oshkosh that summer. In 2006 it was painted as P-51B 43-106511 Betty Jane of the Fifteenth Air Force. It was registered to the Collings Foundation on April 30, 2008.


http://www.air-and-space.com/20090510%20Burbank%20Collings%20Bombers.htm

[DaveBB]

Just to clear up any confusion, the only difference between the P-51B and P-51C is that the B was produced in Inglewood, CA and the C was produced in Dallas, TX.  Correct?

[Widewing]

Just to clear up any confusion, the only difference between the P-51B and P-51C is that the B was produced in Inglewood, CA and the C was produced in Dallas, TX.  Correct?

Those built in Dallas were powered by the V-1650-7 (same as all D and K models), whereas only late build P-51Bs used that motor.

[Hap]

She's a beaut! 

[DaveBB]

Good info, Widewing.  While we are on the subject of Mustang engines, why was the P-51 never fitted with the Griffin engine like the Spit XIV was?

[Nath[BDP]]

I would not trust that rear view mirror.

[BaldEagl]

I would not trust that rear view mirror.

I wonder if it has one of those "objects in mirror are closer than they appear" warnings on it.

[Puma44]

As of last spring it was a part of the Collings Foundation collection.  My brother bought a ride and they were gracious enough to let him get a photo with his Vette.  The foundation's B-17 is taking off in the background.



Here's a couple more that they brought to Tucson during the same visit.

[J.A.W.]

Good info, Widewing.  While we are on the subject of Mustang engines, why was the P-51 never fitted with the Griffin engine like the Spit XIV was?

Griffon engine manufacture was small scale [~8,000 made in total] - compared to Merlin.
& the Spitfire XIV really needed its bigger Griffon mill to make speed like the aero-slick Mustang .

Later model  Mustang `51H fitted the hi-po Merlin V-1650-9 - which  made 2,200+hp on ADI,
& so the Griffon wasn't really needed, even if it had been available..