P-51D Mustang, now with more Horses

[RichB]

P-51D (44-63528), built 20 Nov 1944, 341 flying hours, crashed 19 Aug 1948.

Modified in 1946 with 2 Marquardt XRJ-30-MA Ramjets. Fuel for the Ramjets was fed from the wing tanks with the pumps, solenoids, etc in the gunbays. The jets provided a 10-12% increase in top speed (40-50 mph).

On its final flight, 1st Lt Paul Chell was at the controls. Take-off was normal and the planned test points were being flown. Fifteen minutes into Ramjet operation the RH jet flamed out. A normal restart was carried out and 1-2 minutes later the engine flamed out again. During the second restart attempt, an explosion was heard and lateral control was lost. Flames were observed approx. 1 ft from the wing root. Fuel was turned off, power reduced, aircraft brought into a stall and canopy jettisoned. The pilot egressed when the aircraft was inverted. The suspected cause of the explosion/fire was fuel leak and electrical short.

Startup pics of the Hasegawa 1/48 P-51D with Ramjets to follow.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[Firesmacker]

Badass!

I've never seen that before :woohoo:

 

[SA Dave]

Now that is a way to get a bowel movement :woohoo:

 

[moon puppy]

Wonder how they beefed up the wings to handle the force of those jets?!

 

[Firesmacker]

A few styrene strips probably did the trick

 

[lupanzer]

...amazing!

Luiz.

 

[ij001]

Wonder how they beefed up the wings to handle the force of those jets?!

Duct tape & bailing wire ??

Ian

 

[Sherman 18]

Cool project!

 

[RichB]

The box has been opened.

The base is a standard Hasegawa P-51D kit, JT-14 (less decals)

Two types of prop blades and lots of external stores for the spares box.

Added instructions, resin pods and decals for the Ramjet aircraft. The insignia have separate red bars for pre or post 1947 styles. They also the ivory cast so I will likely liberate some insignia from a Tamiya P-51. Two styles of canopy are also included. Ultracast seats are on the way.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[moon puppy]

So just stick the ramjets on the end on the wing tips, just like North American probably did

 

[RichB]

Fuselage halves joined, replacement seat is "in the mail". Wings tips clipped to fit the Ram Jets and panel lines puttied. Fuselage press fir into wings for the photo.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[SA Dave]

So just stick the ramjets on the end on the wing tips, just like North American probably did

:geek
Nice progress Rich but what is all those hairs?

 

[lupanzer]

Very cool...

Luiz

 

[moon puppy]

 

[RichB]

So just stick the ramjets on the end on the wing tips, just like North American probably did

:geek
Nice progress Rich but what is all those hairs?

I have "helpers" that believe the photo light cube I set up is a tent for them to sleep in.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[Sherman 18]

Moving right along.

 

[nerdling]

So just stick the ramjets on the end on the wing tips, just like North American probably did

:geek
Nice progress Rich but what is all those hairs?

I have "helpers" that believe the photo light cube I set up is a tent for them to sleep in.

Cheers,
Rich

Didn't you know... It is a campaign tent for them and they just allow you to use it to take photos. That's how my cats see things anyways.

 

[SA Dave]

My sons Jack Russel must be part cat then