Highback P-51 Takes to the Skies

[Karl/Pa.]

John Muszala eased the throttle forwards on a cool November day in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Merlin engine built into a throaty roar as the P-51B Mustang accelerated down the runway, and lifted into the sky again for the first time in seventy years. The restored fighter is based around the remains of P-51B 43-24837. This Mustang flew with the 9th Air Force’s 363rd FG out of RAF Staplehurst in Kent, England. It crashed in Beckley after the pilot was forced to bail out during a training exercise on June 10th, 1944.

more here:

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-ne ... s-sky.html

[Niner Delta]

IIRC, they used the Malcolm hood on Spitfires too.
But I have never heard the term "high-back", the early Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts with
that configuration, before the full clear canopy, were called "Razorbacks".
And my guess is none of them had white sidewall tires, even the tailwheel............
It's always nice to see a new restoration take to the air.

[joseyclosey]

Nice

[Niner Delta]

The Merlin engine is, of course, the Packard-Merlin, built under license from Rolls-Royce. The original
Allison engines were weak at altitude, but the Merlin made the Mustang the true fighter it became.
And kept it from becoming the ground attack plane it was designed to be.