I have one of those desk-sized calendars of vintage aircraft. For Sept. 3, it featured a P-51H Mustang, later designated as F-51H.

Says that it was 500 pounds lighter than the P-51D that it otherwise looks like, but could do 487 MPH at 25,000 feet. (The P-51D officially did 437 MPH.)

I remember that Dean Hess flew one in Korea, and wrote a book about his religious work there, I think.

During the Korean War, the USA, South Africa, and Australia operated Mustangs. (All later switched to F-86 Sabres) Does anyone know what proportion were P-51H's? Only about 555 were built, so I'm guessing that many P-51D's remained in service. (I believe that Canada also had Mustangs, but not sure if the RCAF had aircraft in the battle zones.) The RAF retired its Mustangs soon after WW II, operating Meteors in Korea. They were inferior to the MiG-15.

Was the P-51H too late for war service in Europe? Were any flown against Japan?

Thanks,

T-Star

I'm a WW2 plane buff, and the P-51 is my all time favorite.

I had a slew of books of the airplane, now lost from a tornado last year, but if my memory serves, none were used in combat before the hostilities ended, in both theaters.

WE junked untold thousands after the war ended, a real tragedy in my book.

You could buy a new one in the late 40's for $ 5,000 or so.

__________________
NRA Instructor

The H model was the result of work on several experimental lightweight prototypes (P51F, G, and J) which didn't go into service. If you look closely, the P51H has a heightened canopy.

According to the information that I have on the P-51H Mustang, it was the end result of three experimental Model Mustangs. The XP-51F, the XP-51G and the XP-51J, which eventually evolved into the P-51H.

The P-51H was most like the XP-51F which weighed in at 5635 lbs. down about 1300 lbs from the P-51D. The P-51H stretched the XP-51F frame 13 inches for better stability. The H model had a Packard V-1650-9 engine which delivered 1380 hp at 20,000 ft. at 3000 rpms. A taller tail fin was fitted to the P-51H after the 33rd production aircraft. It also had a four blade Cuffless Aeroproducts prop, a smaller chin scoop and a larger deeper radiator housing...

According to my information the P-51H never saw combat in either the Korean War or World war II. 370 P-51H's were delivered to the Army Air Force prior to VJ day none reached combat units in time to fight. All were phased out of the new US Air Force prior to the Korean War. 555 examples were supposed to have been built.

My information says none were sold to foreign nations...

Just my opinion...

Bob

Looking at "Warplanes of the Second World War" Fighters Vol.4 by William Green, it says that the H model re-equipped a number of fighter groups in the Pacific in time to take part in the last stages of the conflict against the Japanese, but too late to participate in Europe. Since you are also in Texas, it says the Dallas plant version of the "H" is the P-51M with a V-1650-9A engine, but that only 1 was completed before the surrender of Japan. These books only deal with WWII and don't discus Korea. The "H" also has a different wing and undercarriage than the earlier Mustangs.

__________________
Wayne
Torn & Frayed

The wing leading edge lacks the "jog" near the wing root that the D has. I believe this was due to a smaller main gear wheel introduced in the experimental lightweights.