Mustangs

[Guest]

I actually took enough photos that day to see the whole sequence through so from:

1) At rest getting ready for the flight

[ATTACH]71359.IPB[/ATTACH]


2) Engine Running and warming up

[ATTACH]71360.IPB[/ATTACH]


3) Taxi run to the strip

[ATTACH]71361.IPB[/ATTACH]


4) Taking off- note few degrees of flap

[ATTACH]71362.IPB[/ATTACH]


5) Landing- Note full flap

[ATTACH]71363.IPB[/ATTACH]


6) Taxi run back to the stand

[ATTACH]71364.IPB[/ATTACH]


7) Further along the return to the stand

[ATTACH]71365.IPB[/ATTACH]


8) Back on the stand

[ATTACH]71366.IPB[/ATTACH]


It looks fairly obvious to me the flaps are deliberately lowered when parked up rather than fall of thier own accord. This may instigate further discussion or it may help. As Steve says you could display your model either way, no one could say it is wrong.

Also interesting to note that the elevator seems to droop at rest.

[stona]

Also interesting to note that the elevator seems to droop at rest.

Probably because the pilot pushed the stick forward to make it easier to get out. If they were flying frequently, and the weather was decent, they wouldn't have fitted control locks between flights.

That is an excellent series of photos, thanks for showing us those

Cheers

Steve

[Andy2035]

Maybe they lower the flaps for ease of climbing onto and off the wings, 'tis just a thought...

Great photos too, thank you for sharing them...

Andy...

[stona]

I have read accounts of a kick step in the Mustang flap to help get up but I haven't noticed one in any wartime photo. Maybe its a later modification to help the rather more mature pilots who tend to fly them today

The latest handbook or pilot's notes I have is for the P-51 D and is late or immediately post war.This is how it tells the pilot to enter the cockpit.



Cheers

Steve