P-51b-na & p-51c-nt

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by -)-MAILMAN-

But which Merlin is in the the P-51B-NA and P-51C-NT in the game, the Packard licensed built Merlin V-1650-3 or the V-1650-7?

P-51B-NA 1943 (framed canopy in game)

Inglewood Plant
P-51B-1-NA: Packard built Merlin V-1650-3/ no 85 gallon fuel tank behind the pilot
P-51B-7-NA: Packard built Merlin V-1650-3/ introduced the 85 gallon fuel tank behind the pilot
P-51B-15-NA: introduced the Packard built Merlin V-1650-7/85 gallon fuel tank behind the pilot


P-51C-NT 1943 (malcolm hood in game)

Dallas Plant
P-51C-1-NT: Packard built Merlin V-1650-3/ no 85 gallon fuel tank behind the pilot
P-51C-3-NT: Packard built Merlin V-1650-3/introduced the 85 gallon fuel tank behind the pilot
P-51C-5-NT: introduced the Packard built Merlin V-1650-7/85 gallon fuel tank behind the pilot

P-51D had the Packard built Merlin V-1650-7

The V-1650-3 & V-1650-7 had different superchargers. The V-1650-3 was better at High Altitude, when compared to the V-1650-7, giving it a top speed of 440 MPH at 29,000 feet. The V-1650-7 gave better performance at middle and low altitudes, when compared to the V-1650-3, giving it a top speed 437 MPH at 25,000 feet.

I know that Oleg placed a static COG in the planes and does not change as the fuel is consumed (which is too bad). As far as the COG in the P-51B, P-51C, Mustang III, P-51D-5NT and the P-51D-20NA in the game the COG is placed in the position as if the 85 gallon tank is half empty regardless of how much fuel is carried, according to Aaken. It is too bad that the gauges couldn't indicate the proper fuel tank selection even though we physically can't select which tank is placed in service. In the P-51's that had the fuselage fuel tank it was always selected first and drained 1/2 way for stability before switching to external fuel tanks.

Going by IL-2 Compare it definitely appears as if the P-51B and C both have the V-1650-3 as they have a higher critical altitude. Interestingly, it shows a 10-15kph discrepancy between the two at all altitudes with the P-51C being slightly faster. Takeoff weight is listed as essentially identical for all 3 types so I would guess they all have the extra tank modeled. Not sure exactly how reliable that information is but that would be my guess.

So... theoretically, based on your information, the types we have are:

P-51B-7-NA
P-51C-3-NT

Interestingly the top speeds seem to be a bit on the high side. The P-51C gets 729kph at 7,700 meters which translates to 453mph at 25263 feet. The P-51B is slightly less.