Mustang III Question

[Cicchino]

Does anyone know if the Mustang IIIs delivered to the RAF, and no 315 Squadron in particular were delivered with the fuselage fuel tank? All help appreciated.

[Terry McGrady]

as far as i'm aware they did not have the fuelage tanks though mods may have been done later when the sq moved to peterhead for coastal command escorts

[Slartibartfast]

In your photo references, look for the black or white cross just behind or below the data block on the port side. Usually behind.

[Cicchino]

Thanks for the responses. I knew about the cross, but all the photos I have aren't clear enough to confirm its existence or not.

[anotherP51nut]

You won't find the data blocks or crosses (except for kill markings!) on RAF Mustang IIIs. As Terry said, the tanks were not fitted to RAF deliveries, although mods could have been made later. I would have to do some digging to find out.

Cheers,

Richard

Edited April 6, 2006 by anotherP51nut

[brentce]

It depends from which production block the Mustang III was delivered. The first 126 Mustang III's in the FX848-972 RAF serial number block were P-51B-1-NA's that were not fitted with the tank. FX973 through FZ197, and FB120-124 were P-51B-5-NA’s that may or may not have had the tank installed. If the tank was not fitted, you should not be able to see the radio through the rear quarter windows and the auxiliary tank fuel filler cap just behind the port quarter window on the upper fuselage will be missing as well.

The following photo of FZ124 serving with 309 (Polish) squadron during Spring of 1945 shows no tank or fuel filler cap even at that late date:

All aircraft in the FB125+, HB, and KH series (all P-51C’s) should feature the fuselage tank. On a related note, it appears that all mk. III’s from KH431 through KH640 (P-51C-10-NT’s) were fitted with the fin fillet at the factory.

HTH

Brent

Edited April 6, 2006 by brentce