And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Well, can't say I didn't see that one coming. Fact is, NAA is a sentimental favorite rooted in performance. Hellcat's easily tipped the scales in our favor. Corsair - "Whispering Death" - was far from being an also ran.
In one of my favorite movies, "EMPIRE OF THE SUN", the main character, an English teenager confined in a Japanese internment camp in China, during an an American air raid, excitedly yells, "It's a P-51 'Mustang', the Cadillac of the skies!"
As noted, the Merlin engine. Another key feature was the laminar flow wing which gave it RANGE.
You also have to respect the P-47. Once they bolted paddle bladed props on to the P&W R-2800's, they could do it all.
"The P-47M was, essentially, developed collaterally with the XP-47J. The J was fitted with a high output version of the P&W R-2800, the R-2800-57. This engine made 2,800 hp @ 2,800 rpm at 35,000 feet. This is in War Emergency Power. The aircraft actually attained 507 mph at an altitude of 34,300 feet. 2,800 hp is 133% of rated power. At military power (100%), the XP-47J could sustain 470 mph. 435 mph was attained at 81% of it's rated power (1,700 hp)."
IIRC, the Mustang runs an American made Merlin engine. They were also supplied to England, as we could build them better and faster on production lines than the hand built English versions could be.
Check for videos on all these aircraft mentioned on a u-tube channel "Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles". He really goes into a lot of original docs for data on all the subjects that he breaks down. He's an airline pilot and engineer, IIRC. Highly recommended!!!
It was with pride that I called over the freq, North American 95xx.
ReplyDeleteWhen better aircraft were needed, North American Aircraft designed, developed and built them. No Brag, just FACT.
ReplyDeleteWeeell yes, but believe the performance of the Grumman Hellcat and the Vought Corsair was pretty damned good too.
DeleteWell, can't say I didn't see that one coming. Fact is, NAA is a sentimental favorite rooted in performance. Hellcat's easily tipped the scales in our favor. Corsair - "Whispering Death" - was far from being an also ran.
DeleteCan't forget the forked tail devil.....the P 38 Lightning....
DeleteWasn't it the American airframe mated with the British Merlin V12 engine that really did the trick?
ReplyDeleteThe Merlin is what turned it up to "11".
DeleteCall me a flag waver, but I make no apology to loving the Red White and Blue.
ReplyDeleteI have no sympathy for the pilots of the Mitsubishi or the Messerschmitts! ge
In one of my favorite movies, "EMPIRE OF THE SUN", the main character, an English teenager confined in a Japanese internment camp in China, during an an American air raid, excitedly yells, "It's a P-51 'Mustang', the Cadillac of the skies!"
ReplyDeleteBased on a book which is essentially autobiographical. Chilling reading.
DeleteAs noted, the Merlin engine. Another key feature was the laminar flow wing which gave it RANGE.
ReplyDeleteYou also have to respect the P-47. Once they bolted paddle bladed props on to the P&W R-2800's, they could do it all.
"The P-47M was, essentially, developed collaterally with the XP-47J. The J was fitted with a high output version of the P&W R-2800, the R-2800-57. This engine made 2,800 hp @ 2,800 rpm at 35,000 feet. This is in War Emergency Power. The aircraft actually attained 507 mph at an altitude of 34,300 feet. 2,800 hp is 133% of rated power. At military power (100%), the XP-47J could sustain 470 mph. 435 mph was attained at 81% of it's rated power (1,700 hp)."
From here--
https://www.cradleofaviation.org/history/history/aircraft/p-47_thunderbolt_aviation_darwinism.html
Also--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo_irQ9bjzU
Thanks for that great vid........
DeleteIIRC, the Mustang runs an American made Merlin engine. They were also supplied to England, as we could build them better and faster on production lines than the hand built English versions could be.
ReplyDeleteCheck for videos on all these aircraft mentioned on a u-tube channel "Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles". He really goes into a lot of original docs for data on all the subjects that he breaks down. He's an airline pilot and engineer, IIRC. Highly recommended!!!
ReplyDelete