In Game Brief
An Australian built version of a P-51D Mustang, this particular Mk 23 came out with Merlin 70 and Merlin 66 engines. The Merlin 66 is the same low altitude version as found in-game on the Spitfire LF Mk IX. Flight characteristics would be similar to that of the P-51D 30 in game but with the engine performance of the Spitfire LF Mk IX.
History
Spoiler
With the release of the emergency fighter CAC Boomerang in 1942 to counter a possible Japanese invasion, it was recognized that the Boomerang would be lacking in performance and fast fall behind contemporary fighter designs. Investigations began on a replacement, with three avenues explored being to either upgrade the Boomerang’s engine performance, develop an all new local fighter design (which eventuated as the CA-15 project) or to locally build a proven design from a foreign nation. Due to multiple delays in engine acquisition on the CA-15 project it was eventually settled on building P-51D fighters in Australia, with plans commencing in late December 1942, production began in late 1944 of Mustangs delivered in kit form and assembled locally under the designation CA-17. This type was too late to see action in WW2 but participated in the Occupation of Japan after VJ Day.
In late 1946 however CAC obtained a contract to build Mustangs using components all made from scratch in Australia, these were designated the CA-18. Initial Mk 21 models has a Packard V-1650-7, while the later Mk 23 had Merlin 66 and Merlin 70 engines.
The type would see action in the Korean War.
Performance
Spoiler
I could certainly use some help in correctly identifying flight data for the Merlin 66. Unless it’s in the operating manual which I don’t have access to, I’m not sure flight data was published for the Mk 23. I have however found references to use of 150 octane fuel in Mustangs with similar engines by the RAF intercepting V-1 flying bombs, I’ll include a link in the Sources.
That’s actually an interesting question about Australian use of weapons in WW2 in general actually. I wonder if RAAF B-24s used American bombs for example. The rockets in the photo below look like HVARs to me, but it seems the RAAF also had napalm bombs for them.
a p-51 with napalm would be interesting, still waiting for them to give the corsairs firebombs since they did carry them, or at least the external fuel tanks they used as firebombs early on
It’s a good question. Obviously not the same aircraft but as far as I can tell Australia’s Avon Sabres used British 500/1,000 lb bombs and for rockets could use either HVARs or RP-3s (or Matra T10s but that’s besides the point). Therefore it’s not unreasonable to assume a similar thing might have happened with Australia’s Mustangs. In addition there were trials with British Mustangs fitting RP-3s and I imagine Australia would probably have been interested in doing the same. A flight manual would probably give you that information, at least for the rockets.
Actually, scratch all that, I found a picture from the Australian War Memorial:
Like I had wagered, the bomb is definitely fitted with a British-type fin, and those are three different RP-3s (I can identify the SAP and AP rockets, but I’m not sure what the one in the middle is.) ADF serials says Mustang A68-48 is a CA-17, but I don’t see why the same wouldn’t be applicable to the CA-18.
Spitfire, Mustang and Kittyhawk in Australian Service by Stewart Wilson would also be a good place to start. I have one of his other books and the info is quite good.
It’s almost weird these days that a book might have info that the Internet doesn’t lol. That Beaufort/Beaufighter/Mosquito book looks like a good read as well.
The shape of it and the fact it says it’s a 30lb-er, makes me think it could be a 30lb incendiary (phosphorus) warhead, converted to fit a 3in rocket motor instead of the usual bomb tail
As for the bomb, I believe it’s a British M.C. 500lb with the short No. 28 Tail Unit, instead of the longer No.25 Tail we have on the ingame Beaufighter.
I voted no, because your proposed aircraft was produced in 1946 - it has besides some nostalgia for Australia no relevance for aircraft history.
It would be just another post war fighter facing real WW 2 planes.
Besides that - outstanding quality of your suggestion, as usual.
Fair enough. I will just say that in terms of historical significance, Australia was the only country outside of USA that ever built P-51 Mustangs of their own. As far as facing WW2 planes, this isn’t any better technically than any other P-51D, and they did serve in Korea so it’s not like they never saw combat either. Potentially facing other types that saw service in Korea like Corsairs.
