Thunder Mustang
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| Thunder Mustang | |
|---|---|
 Thunder Mustang flying at 2007 Wings over Wairarapa airshow |
|
| Type | Replica |
| Manufacturer | The Thunder Builders Group LLC |
| Status | No longer in production. |
| Number built | 37 |
| Unit cost | $285,000 USD |
The Thunder Mustang is a modern replica of the P-51 Mustang and has joined the ranks of the high performance p-51 kits alongside the all-aluminum Stewart S-51D and the full-scale, turbine powered Cameron and Sons P-51.
The Thunder Mustang is not currently in production. Production ceased in the fall of 1999. The Thunder Builders Group LLC owns the assets required to manufacture the airplane. [1] These assets are currently for sale with a goal is to find a company to put the airplane back into production.
There were a total of 37 complete or partial kits produced including the prototype. Of these 37, 27 were delivered as complete kits including the Falconer engine. Two are presently having Walter turbines installed.
| Specifications | Thunder Mustang | North American P-51D Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplant | Falconer V-12, 640 hp | Merlin V-1650-7, 1490 hp |
| Displacement | 601 cu in | 1649 cu in |
| Propeller | MT 94" 4-blade constant speed | Hamilton Standard 134" 4-blade |
| Length | 24.2 ft | 32.2 ft |
| Frontal Area | 8.1 sq ft | 13.4 sq ft |
| Wing Span | 23.8 ft | 37.0 ft |
| Wing Area | 104 sq ft | 237.75 sq ft |
| Wing Loading | 28.84 lb/sq ft | 49.2 lb/sq ft |
| Power Loading | 4.69 lb/hp | 7.78 lb/hp |
| Gross Weight | 3200 lb | 11600 lb |
| Empty Weight | 2200 lb | 7635 lb |
| Useful Load | 1000 lb | 3965 lb |
| Payload w/full Fuel | 400 lb | 2885 lb |
| Basic Fuel Capacity | 102 gallons (in wings) | 180 gallons (in wings) |
| Baggage Capacity | 50 lb | N/A |
| Performance | ||
| Rate of Climb @ gross | 5200 ft/min | 2800 ft/min |
| Maximum Level Speed @ Sea Level | 326 kn (375 mph) | 326 kn (375 mph) 380 kn (437 mph @ 25000 ft) |
| Cruise Speed @ 75% Power | 300 kn (340 mph) | 250 kn (300 mph) |
| Fuel Consumption | 22-25 gal/h | 50-75 gal/h |
| Range | 1300 NM | 700 NM |
| Service Ceiling | 25,000 ft | 46,000 ft |
| Limiting and Recommended Airspeeds | ||
| Vx (best angle of climb) | 87 kn | 87 kn |
| Vy (best rate of climb) | 156 kn | 148 kn |
| Va (design maneuvering) | 222 kn | 226 kn |
| Vfe (max flaps extended) | 165 kn | 143 kn |
| Vle (max landing gear extended) | 148 kn | 148 kn |
| Vne (never exceed) | 439 kn | 439 kn |
| Vsl (stall, clean) | 77 kn | 92 kn |
| Vso (stall, in landing config.) | 68 kn | 88 kn |
| Best Glide | 153 kn | 152 kn |
