North American P-51 Mustang: Difference between revisions

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|name = P51D Mustang
|name = P51D Mustang
|type = Military aircraft
|type = Military aircraft
|fdm = YASim and JSBSim (GIT only at this time)
|fdm = YASim and JSBSim
|status-fdm = 5
|status-fdm = 5
|status-systems = 4
|status-systems = 4
|status-cockpit = 3
|status-cockpit = 3
|status-model = 4
|status-model = 4
|authors = Jim Wilson
|authors = Jim Wilson & Hal Engel
|fgname = p51d
|fgname = p51d
|download = http://www.flightgear.org/Downloads/aircraft-2.4.0/#p51
|download = http://www.flightgear.org/Downloads/aircraft-2.4.0/#p51
Line 80: Line 80:
* Propeller rotates in wrong direction from some view points
* Propeller rotates in wrong direction from some view points
* Aircraft has no shadow
* Aircraft has no shadow
* Landing lights and strobe lights are missing - position lights work on JSBSim version (GIT Dec. 2010)
* Landing lights and strobe lights are missing - position lights work on JSBSim version
* Aircraft has no wheel well area for the landing gears (fixed in GIT Sept. 2010 and enhanced Dec. 2010)
* Aircraft has no wheel well area for the landing gears (fixed in GIT Sept. 2010 and enhanced Dec. 2010)


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* Cockpit is only partly textured (sidewalls and cockpit front have plain textures)
* Cockpit is only partly textured (sidewalls and cockpit front have plain textures)
* No pilot present in cockpit.  Internal view only.
* No pilot present in cockpit.  Internal view only.
* O2 controls and systems are missing YASim (JSBSim has Ox regulator and hose, blinker and pressure gage)
* O2 controls and systems are missing YASim (JSBSim has Ox regulator and hose, blinker and pressure gauge)
* Radio stack is missing (JSBSim version now has AN/APS-13 and SCR-522C control module SCR-522C is fully functional)
* Radio stack is missing (JSBSim version now has AN/APS-13 and SCR-522C control module SCR-522C is fully functional)
* Arm rest missing
* Arm rest missing

Revision as of 23:32, 5 December 2011

P51D Mustang
P51d-mustang.png
Type Military aircraft
Author(s) Jim Wilson & Hal Engel
FDM YASim and JSBSim
--aircraft= p51d
Status Production
 FDM Stars-5.png
 Systems Stars-4.png
 Cockpit Stars-3.png
 Model Stars-4.png
Download Download the P51D Mustang aircraft package for the current stable release (2020.3).

The P-51D Mustang is a piston single engine fighter aircraft.


Aircraft Help

Flying Hints

NOTE: The yasim config file for this aircraft currently starts up with the booster in 1st stage. The following help is for the YASim model.

For the JSBSIm model use the USAF F-51D/K/H manual (Jul. 1952) for detailed procedures. This are available on-line from the link near the bottom of this page in the External Links section.

Take Off

  • Set prop pitch to full increased rpm.
  • Start engine with throttle at idle.
  • Set BOOST stage one (CTRL-b keybinding cycles through stage 0 (off),1, and 2). Default startup for p51-d should have stage one already on.
  • Set throttle to 40 inHG Manifold Pressure (MP).
  • Be ready to actuate rudder. When the tail first lifts, the torque will pull the nose to the left.
  • After tail lifts off slowing move throttle to full open which with stage 1 booster engaged should be about 61 inHG Manifold Pressure.
  • Hang on. Stay on top of rudder control with small adjustments or you'll do a ground loop.
  • Rotate at 150 mph or so.

Climb

  • Back off MP to 46 inHG. *Adjust propeller pitch to 2700 rpm.
  • Keep adding throttle as you climb to maintain 46 inHG until you hit full throttle.
  • At 18,000 feet turn on second stage (hit CTRL-b) and back off throttle to 46 inHG.

Flying

  • Trim and Cruise at about 2400 rpm.
  • Do not exceed 2700 rpm sustained.
  • Do not exceed 3000 rpm military power (aerobatics)
  • Do not exceed 3500 rpm in dives.
  • Do not exceed 61 inHG Mainfold Pressure (military power), except 71 inHG for maximum of 7 minutes (war emergency power). Note that war emergency power is not for flying fast, rather it is for dogfighting at < 200mph.

Landing

  • A single long sweeping turn from the downwind leg into a short approach seems to work best. Make sure you are below 250mph before starting the turn. Use forward slip as necessary to bleed off speed and altitude at the same time.
  • Start applying flaps at 250mph, gear at 175mph, and full flaps at 165mph or less.
  • Excessive braking can cause you to nose over. Some recommend raising flaps immediately after touchdown.

Performance Data

This information is gleaned from various sources: Maximum Speed: 437 mph

Cruise Speed: 363 mph

Landing Speed: 100 mph

Initial Climb Rate: 3475 feet per minute Sustained Climb Speed: 175 mph

Service Ceiling: 41,900 (with 2nd Stage booster).

Stall Speed (9000lbs) Gear/Flaps Up: 102mph Gear/Flaps Down: 95mph

Development status/Issues/Todo

Outside:

  • Front wheels rotate even when airplane is standing still. YASim only.
  • When flaps are lowered, you can see inside the 3d model were the flaps where before
  • No cockpit light at night visible. Seems to work in GIT Jan.2011 at least with JSBSim version.
  • Propeller rotates in wrong direction from some view points
  • Aircraft has no shadow
  • Landing lights and strobe lights are missing - position lights work on JSBSim version
  • Aircraft has no wheel well area for the landing gears (fixed in GIT Sept. 2010 and enhanced Dec. 2010)

3d Cockpit:

  • No rudder control pedals available - (fixed GIT Sept. 2010 - fully textured Dec. 2010)
  • Switches and levers can't be controlled with mouse - YASim only (JSBSim version - mostly fixed)
  • Cockpit is only partly textured (sidewalls and cockpit front have plain textures)
  • No pilot present in cockpit. Internal view only.
  • O2 controls and systems are missing YASim (JSBSim has Ox regulator and hose, blinker and pressure gauge)
  • Radio stack is missing (JSBSim version now has AN/APS-13 and SCR-522C control module SCR-522C is fully functional)
  • Arm rest missing
  • Flare gun port is missing
  • Flap control is missing - (fixed GIT Jan. 2011)
  • Induction air controls are missing (fixed GIT Dec. 2010)
  • Gear control lever is missing (fixed GIT Dec. 2010 is animated and has hot spots)
  • Bomb/drop tank releases are missing (fixed Dec. 2010 in JSBSim version, animated with hot spots)
  • Most placards are missing (mostly fixed GIT Dec. 2010)
  • Pilots seat should be metal instead of wood (fixed JSBSim version Jan. 2010)
  • Panel UV light fixtures missing - YASim only
  • Radio boxs behind rear armor missing.
  • Battery box missing.
  • Rear fuel tank missing.
  • Fuselage brace near battery box missing.
  • Many gages and switches are missing. These include:
    • Fuel gages
    • Engine start switch - YASim only
    • Engine primer switch - YASim only
    • Engine oil dilute switch - YASim only
    • Fuel pump switch - YASim only
    • Supercharger speed over ride switch - YASim only
    • Supercharger speed indicator light - YASim only
    • Fuel tank selector - YASim only
    • Fuel cut off switch - YASim only
    • Hydraulic pressure gage - YASim only
    • Hydraulic pressure (inner gear doors) release handle - YASim only
    • Parking brake handle - YASim only

Control Systems:

  • Supercharger should only have two speeds (no off setting - only low and high) and the switching should be automatic. YASim only.
  • Manifold pressure control should be automatic and the MP should be constant below the critical altitude for that MP setting. YASim only.
  • Tail wheel should unlock when the stick is pushed forward - YASim only

General:

  • Engine sound in cockpit does not differ from outside engine sound

Texture:

  • Vertical tail texture is mirrored

Airplane of the Week/Month

The P-51D (JSBSim) was reviewed as 'Airplane of the Week/Month' on May 04, 2011 as follows:


P-51D (JSBSim)

Model

The JSBSim version of the P-51D comes with a very detailed 3d cockpit, down to various warning plaquettes. I think it conveys the feeling of being in a warbird very much. Based on a quick google image search, it looks pretty authentic to me.

P51d-cockpit.jpg

Most of the switches are actually functional :-) For instance, some amount of fuel management is required for longer flights. The plane comes with a full working set of weapons, from guns via bombs to rockets - so tight dogfights are entirely possible. A full engine startup procedure is simulated. The exterior model is maybe not stunning, but nice enough for all practical purposes:

P51d-model.jpg

Flight characteristics

The JSBSim FDM of the P-51D is very detailed and is actually a joy to experience. As common with warbirds, engine torque is a major issue - try spinning up the engine suddenly in mid-air, and observe how the plane begins to roll unless you counter immediately with the ailerons. Accoding to Hal (the author), the performance characteristics in different altitudes is very faithfully reproduces (I lack the documentation to check, but I haven't seen anything implausible).

The plane is rather difficult to handle - it requires some skill to get it off the ground in spite of the engine torque forces, and even more skill to get it back to the ground in one piece onto the runway. Having the full control equipment (joystick and rudder pedals) is certainly a tremendous help - but it is possible with some practice to fly with just the mouse (avoid crosswinds though...).

The ground handling is tricky - ground loops (the propeller touches the ground) are a constant danger (apparently that really was and is an issue with the real plane) - so careful use of the brakes is a must, and sometimes its even necessary to throttle down immediately after the engine starts.

And, as a very special feature - the plane actually spins rather realistically - so be careful when approaching stall speed.

My personal wishlist

An added pdf manual describing all the features and providing some background info would be terrific - I have the feeling I'm missing so many details...

Things to experience

Let a tank run out of fuel, and experience a lovingly and realistically modelled engine stutter, followed by an emergency landing.

Related lists

External links