phasephantomphixer Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Asked this the other day under General discussion with no answer yet. Figured this was the place (LSP) to ask this basic P-51 question. First I asked if the wheel/tire size was different for P-51B and D. As I figured, replies said it wasn't. Asked that because not sure of any other reason they changed (enlarged) the Leading edge wing root with the D? If not a bigger wheel, was it due to airflow difference of Bubble canopy? Ease of manufacture? Kind of LSP related since I had to reduce it down when I grafted the Revell spine to my Hasegawa kit (don't laugh, this was before stuff was available). Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithery Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Asked this the other day under General discussion with no answer yet. Figured this was the place (LSP) to ask this basic P-51 question. First I asked if the wheel/tire size was different for P-51B and D. As I figured, replies said it wasn't. Asked that because not sure of any other reason they changed (enlarged) the Leading edge wing root with the D? If not a bigger wheel, was it due to airflow difference of Bubble canopy? Ease of manufacture? Kind of LSP related since I had to reduce it down when I grafted the Revell spine to my Hasegawa kit (don't laugh, this was before stuff was available). Thanks! Wikipedia can be your friend: "The new model Mustang also had a redesigned wing; alterations to the undercarriage up-locks and inner-door retracting mechanisms meant that there was an additional fillet added forward of each of the wheel bays, increasing the wing area and creating a distinctive "kink" to the leading edges of the inner wings" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ron Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 I am not a definiative P-51 expert but according to the Squadron Signals book the wing cord was increased at the fuse which increased the "kink" in the leading edge. This had nothing to do with tires, it was part of a wing design change that included strengthening the wing for three vertically mounted .50 cal guns from the two angle mounted ones as well as to handle the two hard points for drop tanks/bomb shackles. Edit: I see Kevin found some more info as well. Nothing to do with wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phasephantomphixer Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 Thank you both, I couldn't find it in my unfriendly books and got tired of looking. I will forward it to my inquiring friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrh Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 They were exactly the same. Same part numbers for the wheels and brakes, same size tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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