P-51D-30 Mustang
Contents
General info
The P-51D-30 Mustang is a Rank IV American fighter with a battle rating of 4.7 (AB), 5.0 (RB), and 5.3 (SB). It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.
The main purpose, usage and tactics recommendations
General play style
- Use this plane as a boom 'n zoom fighter. Altitude and speed are your biggest friends in combat.
- The P-51D has a laminar flow wing. Hence it is fast and very agile at high speeds, due to the laminar flow wing reducing drag when going fast. That means that you turn best at high speeds.
- The P-51D outdives nearly all opponents at 5.0, and is also very agile at high speeds.
- The plane has a great endurance with it's 1880 rounds of ammo and 27 minutes of fuel minimum. Use this to your advantage.
- It has a very high stall speed. You'd be better off to not stall in this plane. Only do it when necessary and when you know you're safe to do it.
- .50cals are extremely effective and long range head-on shots are very viable.
- The P-51D-30 is not a turn fighter, but is definitely maneuverable enough to dogfight at high speed.
- Optimal climb speed is 250 kph IAS.
- It's recommended to use Manual Engine Control with the P51D-30. The D-30 has indefinite WEP and Meredith Effect modeled so radiator drag at high speeds is not an issue
- If using MEC, Supercharger Gear 2 should be engaged at 3300m.
Vehicle characteristics
The P-51D was a further development of earlier Allison-engined P51s in that it received the excellent Rolls-Royce Merlin engine which gave it excellent high-altitude performance. This, combined with excellent endurance, made the P51 well-suited for bomber escort duties.
Ingame, the P51D-30 runs a 75" boost that allows it to outspeed nearly every single vehicle at 5.0 BR. It possesses an excellent climb rate and good high speed handling which makes it extremely well suited for Boom and Zoom. Additionally, bombs and rockets can be carried making the P51 a good ground striker in Ground RB.
Tactics
Offense
Probably the best assets the P-51D has are its speed, weaponry, and energy retention. Ingame and IRL the P51D achieves ideal performance above 7km; however, even at low altitudes the P51 is still incredibly fast. If one climbs at the ideal speed of 250 kph IAS side climbing is not necessary- a high enough altitude will be achieved by the time first contact is initiated that the P51D30 can simply evade incoming fire and speed away, untouchable.
When an enemy is spotted moving away from the P51-D, enter a mild dive and go for a strafe run. After that, it is important to continue heading in the same direction so speed is maintained. Doing this, even the most agile fighters won't be able to turn quickly enough to fire on you. If you miss on your strafe run or have an enemy behind you, you should get at least 2+km from the enemy and then start to turn towards him, depending on his speed. If your speed is under 500km/h, a bigger distance should be achieved before attempting a turn. This ensures that your turn will be completed before the enemy gets within 1km distance before you can line up your shot. Head-ons are actually very effective against fragile/lightly gunned vehicles such as the A6M and Spitfire. The high RoF and velocity of the 50cals make long-range sniping very viable.
When engaging enemy bombers, aim for engines and wings. A good burst will rip off wings with ease and/or start several fires.
Defense
Shallow dives and altitude are your friend- at 5.0 there is no vehicle short of an Fw190 D13 that can catch a P51D30 above 5km. Furthermore, the P51D30 is near untouchable in a dive- careful, however, as planes such as the G55S can and will catch a P51 in a steep dive. In such a case, initiate a shallow dive which will make use of your superior energy retention and top speed.
Defensive dives are a strong suit of the P51D as the flaps and airframe are very durable- spiral dives can easily rip the wings of more fragile BF109s and Spitfires.
It is possible in arcade to perform Pugachev's Cobra (due to the agility at high speeds) in some situations but should not be attempted unless you are at high speed and know what you are doing as it does require a large amount of skill to pull off successfully.
Specific enemies worth noting
5.7 Griffon/LF Spitfires, Fw190 Ds, and Ta152H-1s are all vehicles of concern. They are also at a significantly higher BR and will not be encountered particularly often.
Griffon/LF Spitfires can be outrun, Fw190Ds can be outturned, and Ta152Hs can be outdived.
Most other vehicles can be outrun at reasonably high altitudes.
Counter-tactics
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Outstanding Boom and Zoom capability.
- Great performance at altitude.
- Excellent .50 caliber machine guns
- Very fast at all altitudes.
- Very agile at high speeds.
- Good turn radius at high speeds.
- Good cockpit visibility.
- Plenty of ammo.
- Useful close-support capability (ground attack).
- Refueling isn't something to worry about (27min).
Cons:
- Can't sustain much damage.
- Sluggish at low speeds.
- High stall speed.
- Average climb rate.
- Minimum fuel load is rather big.
- High repair cost in RB for a 5.0 plane
Specification
Armaments
Offensive armaments
- 6 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, wing-mounted (400 rpg inner, 270 outer x2 = 1,880 total)
Payloads
Armour
- 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot.
- 19.05 mm Steel plate in front of the engine.
- 6.35 mm Steel plate between the engine and pilot.
- 15.87 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.
Engine & mobility
Engine
- Cooling type: Water
- Max power: 1297 hp (Stock), 1750 hp (Upgraded)
- Takeoff power: 1667 hp (Stock), 2120 hp (Upgraded)
- Mass: 767 kg
- Cooling type: Water
- Max power: 1281 hp (Stock), 1490 hp (Upgraded)
- Takeoff power: 1651 hp (Stock), 1860 hp (Upgraded)
- Mass: 767 kg
- Cooling type: Water
- Max power: 1281 hp (Stock), 1490 hp (Upgraded)
- Takeoff power: 1651 hp (Stock), 1860 hp (Upgraded)
- Mass: 767 kg
Stat card
- Max speed: 689 km/h
- at height: 6,400 m
- Max altitude: 12,700 m
- Turn Time: 21.4 s
- Rate of Climb: 15.8 m/s
- Takeoff run: 396 m
Upgraded
- Max speed: 761 km/h
- at height: 6,400 m
- Max altitude: 12,700 m
- Turn Time: 19.1 s
- Rate of Climb: 33.0 m/s
- Takeoff run: 396 m
- Max speed: 670 km/h
- at height: 6,400 m
- Max altitude: 12,700 m
- Turn Time: 21.8 s
- Rate of Climb: 18.2 m/s
- Takeoff run: 396 m
Upgraded
- Max speed: 721 km/h
- at height: 6,400 m
- Max altitude: 12,700 m
- Turn Time: 20.0 s
- Rate of Climb: 22.7 m/s
- Takeoff run: 396 m
- Max speed: 670 km/h
- at height: 6,400 m
- Max altitude: 12,700 m
- Turn Time: 21.8 s
- Rate of Climb: 18.2 m/s
- Takeoff run: 396 m
Upgraded
- Max speed: 721 km/h
- at height: 6,400 m
- Max altitude: 12,700 m
- Turn Time: 20.0 s
- Rate of Climb: 22.7 m/s
- Takeoff run: 396 m
Performance
Warning this is still in the test phase and is probably incorrect. Take information with a grain of salt (data taken from 1.55)
Supercharger Stage #1: 100%
Supercharger Stage #1: WEP
Supercharger Stage #2: 100%
Supercharger Stage #2: WEP
Modules and improvements
History of creation and combat usage
The North-American P-51 Mustang was an American fighter designed in the early 1940s and is considered the best US fighter of WWII. It was widely exported to countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The P-51 participated in the Korean War and other post-WWII conflicts.
The most famous Mustang version was the P-51D with teardrop (or bubble) canopy. The main problem for the pilots of the earlier variants was a huge blind spot at the rear of the aircraft due to the canopy design. An earlier attempt to address the issue was a British-designed Malcolm hood, installed on many P-51Bs. It improved rearward visibility, but the search for a better solution continued. In January 1943, USAAF's Colonel Mark Bradley, while stationed in Britain, was introduced to the then-new "bubble" canopy, designed for use on Spitfires and Typhoons. The canopy had no framework and offered near 360-degree vision. To install the new canopy, the rear fuselage section of the Mustang had to lose some height. However, this change required minimal redesign to the airframe. The inaugural flight of the new P-51D took place at Inglewood, California on 17th November 1943. The P-51D-30 was developed soon before the war ended. It mainly served in the Korean war.
Screenshots and fan art
Skins and camouflages for the P51-D series from live.warthunder.com.
Additional information (links)
References
| Horsepower graph | Sidebar |
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 P-51D-30 Mustang
|
| Nation | USA |
| Manufacture | North American Aviation |
| Type | Fighter |
| Rank | 4 |
| Battle Rating | 4.7
5.0
5.3
|
| Fighting style | Boom & Zoom Ground Attack |
Metric✓ Imperial
Metric Imperial✓
| Offensive armament | |
| 2 x 12.7 mm M2/late Browning | Heavy machine gun |
| Magazine | 400 rpg |
| Mount | Inner wing |
| 4 x 12.7 mm M2/late Browning | Heavy machine gun |
| Magazine | 270 rpg |
| Mount | Mid & Outer wing |
| Payload Option 1 | |
| Without load | Clean plane |
| Payload Option 2 | |
| 6 x 127 mm HVAR | 🚀 Rocket |
| Payload Option 3 | |
| 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 | 💣 Bomb |
| Payload Option 4 | |
| 6 x 114 mm M8 | 🚀 Rocket |
| Engine power | |
| Number of Engines | 1 |
| 100% (Stock, Upgraded) | 1,297 hp, 1,750 hp
1,281 hp, 1,490 hp
1,281 hp, 1,490 hp
|
| WEP (Stock, Upgraded) | 1,667 hp, 2,120 hp
1,651 hp, 1,860 hp
1,651 hp, 1,860 hp
|
| WEP Duration | 25.0 s
Infinite
Infinite
|
| Characteristics | |
| Empty Weight | 3,630 kg 8,003 lb
|
| Empty Weight + fuel | 4,364 kg 9,621 lb
|
| Takeoff Weight | 5,102 kg 11,248 lb
|
| Wing Area | 22.29 m² 239.93 ft²
|
| Wing loading (Empty) | 162.85 kg/m² 33.35 lb/ft²
|
| # Flap Positions | 3 (Combat/Take-off/Landing) |
| Air brakes | No |
| Arrestor Gear | No |
| Statistics | |
| Top speed | 695 km/h at 7,800 m 432 mph at 25,591 ft
|
| Top speed (WEP) | 703 km/h at 7,100 m 437 mph at 23,294 ft
|
| Climb Rate (100%) | 16.07 m/s 52.72 ft/s
|
| Climb Rate (WEP) | 17.17 m/s 56.33 ft/s
|
| Optimal climb velocity | 260 km/h 162 mph
|
| Turn Time (100%) | 23.8 s |
| Turn Time (WEP) | 23.0 s |
| Limits | |
| Max Speed limit | 910 km/h 565mph
|
| Gear limit | 281 km/h 175mph
|
| Flaps | |
| Combat | 644 km/h 400 mph
|
| Take-off | 362 km/h 225 mph
|
| Landing | 265 km/h 165 mph
|
| Max static +G's | ~11 g |
| Max static -G's | ~5 g |
| Optimal Velocities | |
| Ailerons | <500 km/h <311mph
|
| Rudder | <300 km/h <186mph
|
| Elevators | <500 km/h <311mph
|
| Radiator | >400 km/h >249 mph
|
| Manual Control | |
| Mixer | Not controllable |
| Pitch | Controllable No automatic pitch |
| Radiator (engine) | Controllable |
| Radiator (oil) | Not controllable |
| Engine and oil | Uses combined radiator control |
| Supercharger | Controllable |
| Turbocharger | Not controllable |
| Compressor settings 1 | |
| Optimal Altitude | 2,400 m 7,874 ft
|
| 100% Engine power | 1,580 hp |
| WEP Engine power | 1,959 hp |
| Compressor settings 2 | |
| Optimal Altitude | 6,400 m 20,997 ft
|
| 100% Enginepower | 1,370 hp |
| WEP Enginepower | 1,699 hp |
| Economy | |
| Required RP | 75,000 RP |
| Vehicle cost | 250,000 SL |
| Crew training cost | 72,000 SL |
| Max repair cost* | 3,600 SL
12,852 SL
13,800 SL
|
| Free repair time (Stock) | 3d 13h
7d
8d
|
| Free repair time (Upgraded) | 1d 04h
2d 15h
2d 20h
|
