P-51B With Canopy Frames - P-51C With Malcolm Hood

[Vraciu]

Talking to Pipz I learned the Pony B used to have the birdcage canopy.   Now, while I am not a fan of canopy frames, some people like flying the older rides for that immersive experience.

How much trouble would it be to split the B Pony into B and C versions, one with the frames and one with the Malcolm Hood?    Maybe give the framed one a couple knots for its trouble as well.

Just a thought.   

*Dons fireproof underwear*

[oboe]

+1

For historical accuracy.    Would also like early P-51D without tail fillet.   

[ONTOS]

The P-51 B and C had bird cage when they left the USA. When they got to England, they were eventually fitted with the Malcom canopy.  (the B model was made in Inglewood Calif and the C model was made in Dallas Texas, other than that, they were the same).

[Vraciu]

The P-51 B and C had bird cage when they left the USA. When they got to England, they were eventually fitted with the Malcom canopy.  (the B model was made in Inglewood Calif and the C model was made in Dallas Texas, other than that, they were the same).

I am well aware of that fact.   I am simply trying to come up with a way to give the Bird Cage guys what they want while not hosing the Malcolm Hood fans.

Also, not all airplanes were fitted with the Mal H.  Many were never converted.   

[ONTOS]

 I apologize for insulting your intelligence. I think a lot of people do not know that about P 51's. I am sincerely sorry.

[Devil 505]

Considering Hitech's policy of not allowing field mods, the Malcolm hood is a bizarre exception.

[oboe]

Maybe because it was so widespread?  (btw, was this mod limited to P-51Bs in NW Europe?  Or was it available in Mediterranean Theatre, or CBI?)

IIRC all the 109G under-wing cannon gondolas or rocket rails were called Rustsatz (field mod or conversion kits).  Seems like the same thing in a way, except that it deals with armament, not physical shape change to the aircraft (minor though it is).  But I would much rather have a dedicated aircraft model for the 51B to support the canopy change rather than having it be user-configurable as with the 109s under-wing armament - to keep the skins historically accurate.

[Devil 505]

Oboe, the gondolas were a field modification on the 109F. With the G, the wings were pre-wired and bracketed for the gondolas. Hence, why we have them for the G bit not the F. The G-6 were also equipped with the mounts for the WGr 21. So, while these began life as field mods, they became factory options. As far as I know, the Malcolm hood was never installed during P-51 production.

I believe the .50 cal gondolas on the P-39Q are like the 109G in this respect.

[oboe]

Oboe, the gondolas were a field modification on the 109F. With the G, the wings were pre-wired and bracketed for the gondolas. Hence, why we have them for the G bit not the F. The G-6 were also equipped with the mounts for the WGr 21. So, while these began life as field mods, they became factory options. As far as I know, the Malcolm hood was never installed during P-51 production.

I believe the .50 cal gondolas on the P-39Q are like the 109G in this respect.

Ah, OK - thanks Devil505.

[EskimoJoe]

I think a lot of people do not know that about P 51's. I am sincerely sorry.

You would be right in that assumption. Thanks for the info, I didn't know that, and now that I do, I can forget it and learn it again the next time somebody brings it up 

[Vraciu]

I apologize for insulting your intelligence. I think a lot of people do not know that about P 51's. I am sincerely sorry.

Not offended in the least, sir.   Thank you for your apology, but none was needed.   Too bad we don't have more players like you, though.   

[Vraciu]

You would be right in that assumption. Thanks for the info, I didn't know that, and now that I do, I can forget it and learn it again the next time somebody brings it up 

       

[Guppy35]

Field mod isn't really accurate in this case as it was really a Depot mod.  It was limited to the ETO however with only a couple of examples on RAF 51s that made it to the MTO.

Thats why it looks so wrong on the PTO and MTO birds.  They didn't get the Malcom.

Keep in mind though that HTC responded to the visibility issue and in some ways it made the 51B more viable for folks who didn't fly it with the 'coffin hood'.

Screenshot from an AH film of my oldest son and I in October 2003 doing our Gentile and Godfrey impression in the original 51.  I'd like the option of both if for no other reason than the skins.  Flying Gentile's Mustang with a Malcom just kills the feel

[bozon]

Talking to Pipz I learned the Pony B used to have the birdcage canopy.

Please do not speak to Pipz or feed him without an adult supervision.

[Vraciu]

Please do not speak to Pipz or feed him without an adult supervision.