P-51 In Action
The In Action series should be familiar to all. David Doyle continues his update of this series this time focusing on the iconic P-51 Mustang, a plane many would say was the best of the war.
The book begins with the NA-73X prototype designed to help supply Britain in the early part of WWII. The USAAC would only allow North American to export the planes if they provided 2 at no cost to the Army for evaluation. These two became the XP-51 one of which survives today with the EAA in Wisconsin.
The book follows the development of the plane as it progressed first with the Allison engine powered variants; the Mustang I, F-6A, A-36A dive bomber and the P-51A. Next comes those powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin and its license built examples from Packard. That change in engines lead to fighters being able to escort the bombers all the way to Berlin and back. Beginning with P-51B (California built) and the identical P-51C (Texas built) then moving to nice coverage of the XP-51D with beautiful color photos. Almost 25% of the book covers the P-51D, the variant produced in the greatest numbers and the one that did a large share of the escort duties. The author also discusses the P-51K. This was not just a designation for “D” models built in Texas! The Texas plant built 1600 “D” models and 1500”K” model Mustangs. The difference in variants between the "D" and "K" being the use of the Aeroproducts A542-A1 Unimatic 11 foot diameter propeller in place of the Hamilton Standard 11foot 2 inch diameter propeller by the "K" variant. He also clears up the wrong assumption that the “K” had a different canopy.
Next the lightweight versions of the Mustang are discussed. The XP-51F, the 5-bladeed propeller XP-51G of which one still survives in private ownership, and the “ultimate” Mustang, the P-51H which began production in 1945 was the last P-51 variant built and in service.
Over the developmental life of the P-51 there were many improvements. The P-51A powered by an Allison engine had a maximum speed of 390MPH with a range with drop tanks of 1375 and a service ceiling of 31350 feet and a normal takeoff weight of 8600lbs. The P-51D with the RR or Packard built Merlin had a maximum speed of 437MPH, drop tank range of 2055 miles, service ceiling of 41900 feet with a normal takeoff weight of 10100lbs. The “H” model had a top speed of 487MPH, drop tank range of 1550 miles, service ceiling of 41600 feet and normal takeoff weight of 9500lbs. In 5 years of development the amount of improvements are obvious.
The book concludes with coverage of the Piper PA-48 Enforcer. Designed as a low- cost counter-insurgency and ground attack aircraft powered with a Lycoming T55 turbo-prop engine, while not adopted it was truly the last development of the P-51 design.
The question everyone has is how this one compares to the previous issue of the P-51 In Action back in 1981. The new book has 23 more pages, more color photos and it covers the all of the variants with some discussion as well as photos. Also the book contains coverage of the PA-48, but has no coverage of the F-82 Twin Mustang as the earlier version did. The only thing I like better about the old version is the centerspread of 10 color profiles as the new one only has a couple spread out through the 80 pages. If they would bring back the centerspread profiles this new In Action would be perfect!
The new book is is still a great addition to the In Action line and your library. With all the new photos and additional information it will compliment the old book if you have it in your library or serve just as well as a standalone book if you do not have the old one. It is a very good book and I recommend it to all that are interested in the subject.
Our thanks to David Doyle Books for the review copy and my thanks to IPMS/USA for the review opportunity
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