General Background

The only difference between the North American P-51B and C variants was the B was built in Inglewood and the C in Dallas. The B variant first flew on May 5, 1943 and the C variant first flew on August 5, 1943. The B variant saw 1,988 built while the C variant saw 1,750 built. On December 1, 1943 the P-51B Mustang flew its first combat mission and in March 1944 provided bomber escort to Berlin.

The Aircraft

Mustang FB 382 with PK-G markings was the personal aircraft of the 315 Squadron Eugeniusz “Dziubek” Horbaczewski. On February 15, 1944 he took command of the Polish No. 315 Squadron. On August 18, 1944 Horbaczewski led 12 aircraft over France at an airfield near Beauvais they encountered a large formation of Fw-190s. The 315 Squadron attacked the Germans with Horbaczewski quickly shooting down 3 aircraft. However, sometime during the melee he went missing and in 1947 his aircraft and body were found. He is credited with 16.5 kills and downing 4 V-1s.

Specifications

• Dimensions
• Length: 32.25 ft
• Wingspan: 37.04 ft
• Height: 13.67 ft
• Weight
• Empty: 6,985 lbs
• Normal T/O: 9,800 lbs
• Maximum Gross: 11,800 lbs
• Performance
• Power Plant: 1 X Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-3-7 producing 1,380 hp in the B variant and 1,490 hp in the C variant
• Maximum Speed: 439 mph @ 25,000 ft
• Service Ceiling: 41,800 ft
• Range: B – 1,180 miles
• C – 1,900 miles
• Armament
• 4 x .50 cal machine guns with 1,260 rounds
• 2 x 1,000 lb bombs or rockets