Author Topic: P-51C Malcolm Hood, Please (Read 1492 times)

Halo · « **on:** September 01, 2003, 05:03:19 PM »

At 100th Anniversary of Flight Labor Day picnic at nearby small airport, talked with WWII P-51 veteran. He said he loved all versions of the Mustang, but his favorite was the bulged hood Malcolm canopy C model.

Said it was the best flying of them all, although all were great.

Another friend told me this Pony driver was among the birds taking recon photos of the Hiroshima bomb drop. Didn't have time to get into that, unfortunately.

As many have requested, add my vote for addition of the bulged canopy P-51C. Not sure whether earlier with four .50s or later with six .50s would be optimum ride. Will leave that to the experts.

vorticon · « **Reply #1 on:** September 01, 2003, 05:52:33 PM »

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Another friend told me this Pony driver was among the birds taking recon photos of the Hiroshima bomb drop. Didn't have time to get into that, unfortunately.

for you maybe...what would make you think he would WANT to remember that...

Squire · « **Reply #2 on:** September 01, 2003, 06:04:50 PM »

"Vorticons are controlled by the Grand Intellect"

Apparently not.

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2003, 06:15:38 PM »

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Originally posted by Squire
"Vorticons are controlled by the Grand Intellect"

Apparently not.

LOL

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2003, 06:40:05 PM »

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Originally posted by vorticon
what would make you think he would WANT to remember that...

What makes you think they're ashamed of what they've done?

Ack-Ack

Karnak · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2003, 06:51:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
What makes you think they're ashamed of what they've done?

Its not a matter of shame. It simply may have been an unpleasant experience. No conditionals applied.

Furball · « **Reply #6 on:** September 02, 2003, 05:14:56 AM »

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After these Mustang III aircraft had been delivered to England, the RAF decided that the hinged cockpit canopy offered too poor a view for European operations. A fairly major modification was made in which the original framed hinged hood was replaced by a bulged Perspex frameless canopy that slid to the rear on rails. This canopy gave the pilot much more room and the huge goldfish bowl afforded a good view almost straight down or directly to the rear. This hood was manufactured and fitted by the British corporation R. Malcolm & Co., and came to be known as the "Malcolm Hood". This hood was fitted to most RAF Mustang IIIs, and many USAAF Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51B/C fighters received this modification as well.

Many pilots regarded the Malcolm-hooded P-51B/C as the best Mustang of the entire series. It was lighter, faster, and had crisper handling than the later bubble-hooded P-51D and actually had a better all-round view. Its primary weakness, however, was in its armament--only four rather than six guns, which often proved prone to jamming. Some of the modifications applied to the P-51D to improve the ammunition feed were later retrofitted into P-51B/Cs, which made them less prone to jamming. With modified guns and a Malcolm hood, the P-51B/C was arguably a better fighter than the P-51D, with better visibility, lower weight, and without the structural problems which afflicted the D. Its departure characteristics were also more benign.

The first RAF base to receive Mustang IIIs was at Gravesend in Kent. The Mustang III initially equipped No. 65 Squadron in late December of 1943, followed by No. 19 Squadron in March of 1944. Later the Mk. III also equipped Nos 64, 65, 66, 93, 94, 112, 118, 122, 126, 129, 165, 234, 237, 241 249, 250, 260, 268, 306, 309, 315, 316, 345, 430, 441, 442, and 516 Squadrons and No. 541 Squadron of RAF Coastal Command. These units included four Polish squadrons (306, 309, 315, 316), three RCAF, and one Free French.

The new RAF Mustang IIIs began operations late in February 1944, escorting US heavy bombers as well as both US and RAF medium bombers.

Numerous RAF Mustang IIIs were diverted to the interception of V-1 "buzz-bombs". Some of them were "souped up" by using a special high-octane fuel and internal engine adjustments in order to increase the intake manifold pressure and made it possible to achieve a speed of 420 mph at 2000 feet. Since the typical V-1 flew at 370 mph, this made the "souped-up" Mustang very useful against these weapons.

Halo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 02, 2003, 09:11:33 AM »

Excellent summary, Furball. Would be very appropriate and presumably not too difficult for AH to add the Mustang IIIs, which also would give the RAF more credit for inspiring the Mustang in the first place.

Kegger26 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 02, 2003, 02:30:58 PM »

I have been telling ppl that the P51B is better than the D, but ppl doubt me... Ohh well there loss I guess.
Malcom Hood in AHII PLEASE!

HavocTM · « **Reply #9 on:** September 02, 2003, 04:46:01 PM »

Dudes,

The Mustang II was a sucky car! I don't know what you are talking about. It epitomized everything that was wrong with the early 70s..

wait...

what?

never mind...

Kegger26 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2003, 07:11:25 AM »

I have never flew the real mustang, but my grand father did. In his journal he talked about the diffrence between a few planes. His squadron first started out in P40, then went to the P51 B models, then they got some new C models and then the D. The D model was tolerated but not well liked. Alot of pilots, stayed in Bs and Cs, not becuase there wernt enough Ds, but because they liked the B and Cs better.
As for AH I think they have the FM just about right on the Pony D and B, well as close as they can get it. Since I have started flying the P51 B, I have noticed how much easer it is to get kills in. So long as I stay up high, and keep my E. The ONLY down sides, are the visabilty, and the guns. It only has four .50s, and it only carries 2 500lb bombs. The rocket tubes are pretty light, and when the rockets are used up, you can still fight pretty good with them on. The rocket tubes seem to make the rockets really go where you want them.
Over all I think the P51B is one of the best planes in the game. I would love to see it with a malcolm hood. I would love to see AH2 with a P51C model too. That would give us the same performance as the B model, with out the rocket tubes, and loading 2 1,000Lbers on it. Still only 4 .50s but hey.... works for me.

Kegger

HavocTM · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2003, 09:49:49 AM »

A P-51B with better visibility would be downright deadly. yes yes yes

BlckMgk · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2003, 12:38:20 PM »

All the charts show it, but it just doesn't seem the 51B performs better than the 51D. It seems that the 51B stalls much easier than the 51D (but thats probably just me yankin harder) and the stalls in the 51B are NASTY! I always seem to lose E much more quickly in the 51B.

If a malc-hood was placed in the 51B I'd really like to fly it.

Kegger26 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2003, 03:45:29 PM »

Yeah you have to be smooth with the B, but its departure isnt that nasty, I rarely go into a spin. 90% of the time, the plane noses over and its just a matter of letting some air get under the wings, and your fine.
In the game the P51B is faster, turns better, and rolls quicker than the D. The only reasion I use the D now, is if I have a Tiger to bust.

Kegger26 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 04, 2003, 07:52:18 AM »