1CGS =FB=VikS Posted April 21, 2020 1CGS Posted April 21, 2020 Does anyone have any kind of information on this type of RP installations? (on picture below). Are these ever used operationally during WWII?
Chief_Mouser Posted April 21, 2020 Posted April 21, 2020 'Trials of a Mk V rocket projectile installation were made on a Mustang III at the A&AEE at Boscombe Down. As it greatly reduced the aircraft's speed, rocket-firing Mustangs did not find favour for operations in Northern Europe, although they were acceptable in Italy.' from: 'North American P-51 Long-Range Fighter' by David Windle. It goes on to say that USAAF Mustangs used rockets but the fittings were of the 'bazooka' design rather than the RAF 'rails' type.
Beazil Posted April 21, 2020 Posted April 21, 2020 6 minutes ago, jollyjack said: No, but other weird ones existed: What happens when each pilot breaks the opposite direction?
1CGS =FB=VikS Posted April 21, 2020 Author 1CGS Posted April 21, 2020 9 minutes ago, 216th_Cat said: although they were acceptable in Italy.' "acceptable"? so used opreationally during WWII - but MTO only?
Chief_Mouser Posted April 21, 2020 Posted April 21, 2020 (edited) No idea, but it's what he's implying. Photos to prove it appear to be non-existent on the web. Edited April 21, 2020 by 216th_Cat
1CGS LukeFF Posted April 21, 2020 1CGS Posted April 21, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, 216th_Cat said: No idea, but it's what he's implying. Photos to prove it appear to be non-existent on the web. What RAF squadrons used the Mustang in the MTO? Should be an easy thing to determine from squadron ORBs. EDIT: these squadrons flew the Mustang III in the MTO: 112, 213, 249, 260, 450. If any of those flew with rockets, those ORBs should mention it. Edited April 21, 2020 by LukeFF
6FG_Big_Al Posted April 21, 2020 Posted April 21, 2020 I found the picture on worldwarphotos with this description: "Mustang Mk III FZ893 being used for weapons trials" https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/p51-raf/mustang-mk-iii-fz893-being-used-for-weapons-trials/ Not sure if it helps you.
Chief_Mouser Posted April 21, 2020 Posted April 21, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, 6FG_Big_Al said: I found the picture on worldwarphotos with this description: "Mustang Mk III FZ893 being used for weapons trials" https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/aircrafts-2-3/p51-raf/mustang-mk-iii-fz893-being-used-for-weapons-trials/ Not sure if it helps you. They have a typo. It's FX893. From the 213 Sqn Association website: On 17th May, only some three months after re-equipping with Spitfires, again without any prior notice, two Mustang MkIIIs arrived at Idku, and the Squadron set about converting to this formidable aircraft which it would operate until the end of the war. During its time with the Balkan Air Force the Squadron flew both MarkIII and MarkIV versions of the Mustang. The MarkIV, or P-51K, was identical to the P-51D flown by the USAAF, other than for its Aeromatic propeller. The Mark III had been modified in the UK, mainly for straight fighter interception work. It had four 0.5" machine guns and some of the later versions had a very pleasant bubble canopy which replaced the standard fold over and clip-down "cottage pane" type of canopy, which was probably the worst feature of the Mustang. Later in the war the Squadron's Mustangs were also modified to carry two five hundred pound bombs. They have a typo. It's FX893. No mention of rockets. Edited April 21, 2020 by 216th_Cat
HBPencil Posted April 21, 2020 Posted April 21, 2020 I'm just going from memory but years ago I saw a photo (online) of a Mustang being loaded up with RPs and iirc the blurb stated it was an Australian squadron in Italy so I guess it was 3 Squadron? I've spent the morning looking for it but can't find it, sorry.
-=PHX=-SuperEtendard Posted April 29, 2020 Posted April 29, 2020 I wouldn't mind 81" boost as a mod for RAF mustangs ? 1
LuftManu Posted April 29, 2020 Posted April 29, 2020 (edited) @=FB=VikS Looks like they were only used in Italy and Balkans theater. From April 1944, till end the of the war by Squadron 260. Lots of info in: HIGH-SPIRITED MUSTANG - Vol. II, By René J. Francillon. @LF_Senet has most of these sources. https://books.apple.com/us/book/high-spirited-mustang-vol-ii/id1329221358 Edited April 29, 2020 by LF_Gallahad 1 1
Heliopause Posted April 30, 2020 Posted April 30, 2020 Found a scant mentioning of rockets used (by Sqn 260) as part of the attack on Venice harbor, March 21st '45.
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