Well, the
first thing you need to know about the P-51 Mustang was that it came in a
couple of different flavors. My collection of model kits focuses on the
"B" and "D" variations. The Red Tails of the
99th FS were the recipients of the older "B" models when the
all-white fighter groups were upgraded to the "D" models, but
eventually were issued the newer ones near the end of the war because of the
lower maintenance requirements.
The most obvious difference between them is the canopy design. The B
model has what was called a "bird cage". The D model was the first
to sport the "bubble top" that provided better visibility for
aerial dog-fighting.
The most significant
difference is that the B had four .50 cal. machine guns (two in each wing),
while the D had six (three in each wing).
Last update: 2008-11-03 by
dennette@wiz-worx.com
<Who is this "Dennette"
person?>
