- Yes
- No
The Italian Air Force, had come out of the Second World War practically annihilated. The few operational departments they were now flying with real war remnants, both of national construction and sold by the Allies during co-belligerence. After the end of the Second World War the Italian Air Force continued to be equipped with Anglo-American aircraft, this time sold under US aid for reconstruction. From September 1947 the first “P-51” began to arrive which from June of the same year were renamed to “F-51” (F-for-Fighter, renamed by P-for-Pursuit) in total were delivered from the United States to Italy 175 vehicles of the latest production completely overhauled of the models “P-51D 20-NA” and “P51D 25-NA” in fact they mounted a recently produced Hamilton propeller with new blades called “Paddle blades” and were complete with sub-wing supports for the transport of bombs and rockets.The F-51s were assigned to various departments, and contributed to the revival of the Italian Air Force, they also participated in a UN mission in Somalia in 1950. The Italian pilots noticed a not exceptional ascent speed and lower maneuverability of the F-51 than the wartime Macchi C.205 and Fiat G.55. But in terms of armament, stability, autonomy and speed the American fighter was unrivaled. The last F-51s remained in service until 1958 when they were struck off from the service. In my opinion the reason why the F-51 must be added to the Italian TT is because the production of Italian piston aircraft stops at 1943, the addition of the P51D 25-NA helps to fill this gap and also easy to add because there are several variations of the P-51 in the game.
Specifications - Performance:
Crew: 1
Length: 9,83 m
Wingspan: 11,28 m
Height: 4,08 m
Wing area: 21,83 m2
Empty weight: 3465 kg
Gross weight: 4175 kg
Max takeoff weight: 5488 kg
Performance:
Powerplant: 1 x Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-7 12-cylinder liquid cooled engine 1490 hp (1111 kW)
Maximum speed: 708 km/h
Cruise speed: 583 km/h
Stall speed: 160 km/h
Range: 2656 km
Service ceiling: 12800 m
Rate of climb: 16,3 m/s
Wing loading: 192 kg/m2
Armament:
Guns: 6 x 0,50 caliber (12,7mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns with 1840 total rounds
Bombs: 1000 pounds (450 kg) total on two wing hardpoints
Rockets: 6 x 5,0 in (127 mm) T64 H.V.A.R rockets
Photos:
Sources:
Storia militare - I Mustang Italiani
https://www.fromtheskies.it/il-p-51-mustang-torna-al-museo-storico-dellaeronautica-militare/