Imagine hearing the hoarse roar of a Packard Merlin engine as it strafes the field and rips the sky in high-speed. That’s the P-51D, the definitive and most widely produced variant of the Mustang. What makes it different is the improvement of the pilot view. The British modified some Mustangs with fishbowl shaped canopies called “Malcom Hood.” This was recognized by the British after the Battle of Britain proved the value of an all-around view.
 

The Americans adopted several NA-106 prototypes with a bubble canopy, cutting away the decking behind the cockpit to allow looking directly to the rear. This led to the production P-51D (NA-109), considered the definitive Mustang.

It was in service with Allied air forces in the middle of World War II when the P-51 became one of the most successful and recognizable aircrafts. Serving as range escort fighter and bomber, and reconnaissance aircraft, the Mustang saw action in China, Burma, India, the Philippines and Iwo Jima.

Later re-designated as F-51s, the Mustangs were finally phased out in 1957.

Weaponry:

• six .50-cal machine guns
  10 5-in. rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs 

The P-51D Mustang Wood Model Plane, the definitive and most widely produced variant of the Mustang, comes to life through this hand-carved mahogany wood model plane. Precisely scaled from an exact blueprint, this work of art was hand-painted with great concern for details and accuracy of model plane.

NOW IN STOCK AND READY TO SHIP DIRECT FROM OUR CALIFORNIA WAREHOUSE!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One of the few remaining complaints with the Merlin-powered aircraft was a poor rearward view. This was a common problem in most fighter designs of the era, which had only been recognized by the British after the Battle of Britain proved the value of an all-around view. In order to improve the view from the Mustang at least partially, the British had field-modified some Mustangs with fishbowl-shaped canopies called "Malcolm Hoods." Eventually all Mk IIIs, along with some American P-51B/Cs, were equipped with Malcolm Hoods.

A better solution to the problem was the "teardrop" or "bubble" canopy. Originally developed as part of the Miles M.20 project, these newer canopies were in the process of being adapted to most British designs, eventually appearing on late-model Spitfires, Typhoons and Tempests. North American adapted several NA-106 prototypes with a bubble canopy, cutting away the decking behind the cockpit, resulting in substantially improved vision to the rear. This led to the production P-51D (NA-109), considered the definitive Mustang.

A common misconception is that the cutting down of the rear fuselage to mount the bubble canopy reduced stability that required the addition of a dorsal fin to the forward base of the vertical tail. Actually, both earlier Bs and Cs and subsequent D/K models also experienced low speed handling problems that could result in an involuntary "snap-roll" under certain conditions of air speed, angle of attack, gross weight and center of gravity. Several crash reports tell of P-51Bs and Cs crashing because horizontal stabilizers were torn off during maneuvering. One report stated:

"Unless a dorsal fin is installed on the P-51B, P-51C and P-51D airplanes, a snap roll may result when attempting a slow roll. The horizontal stabilizer will not withstand the effects of a snap roll. To prevent recurrence the stabilizer should be reinforced in accordance with T.O. 01-60J-18 dated 8 April 1944 and a dorsal fin should be installed. Dorsal fin kits are being made available to overseas activities"