| Thunder Mustang | |
|---|---|
| Thunder Mustang flying at 2007 Wings over Wairarapa airshow | |
| Role | Replica |
| Manufacturer | Thunder Mustang LLC |
| Status | Renewed Production Stages. |
| Number built | 37 |
| Unit cost | $297,000 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 currently in renewed production stages. Production ceased in the fall of 1999. The Thunder Builders Group LLC owned the assets required to manufacture the airplane in September 2010, when they sold the assets to Dean Holt of Mount Vernon, Washington. [1] Dean is currently in the process of manufacturing all the necessary components for complete kit offerings which will be available in late fall 2011.
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 have Walter turbines installed and presently flying.
Four Thunder Mustangs have competed at the Reno Air Races. John Parker has recorded lap speeds of more than 355 mph on the racecourse using the normally aspirated Falconer engine. George Giboney posted lap speeds of 397 mph with his supercharged version of the Falconer engine during the 2010 races with level flight top speed of more than 415 mph.
| Specifications | Thunder Mustang | North American P-51D Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplant | Falconer V-12, 640 horsepower (480 kW) | Merlin V-1650-7, 1,490 hp (1,110 kW) |
| Displacement | 601 cu in | 1649 cu in |
| Propeller | MT 94" 4-blade constant speed | Hamilton Standard 134" 4-blade |
| Length | 24.2 ft (7.4 m) | 32.2 ft (9.8 m) |
| Frontal Area | 8.1 sq ft (0.75 m2) | 13.4 sq ft (1.24 m2) |
| Wing Span | 23.8 ft (7.3 m) | 37.0 ft (11.3 m) |
| Wing Area | 104 sq ft (9.7 m2) | 237.75 sq ft (22.088 m2) |
| Wing Loading | 28.84 lb/sq ft | 49.2 lb/sq ft |
| Power Loading | 4.69 lb/hp | 7.78 lb/hp |
| Gross Weight | 3,200 lb (1,500 kg) | 11,600 lb (5,300 kg) |
| Empty Weight | 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) | 7,635 lb (3,463 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,000 lb (450 kg) | 3,965 lb (1,798 kg) |
| Payload w/full Fuel | 400 lb (180 kg) | 2,885 lb (1,309 kg) |
| Basic Fuel Capacity | 102 gallons (in wings) | 180 gallons (in wings) |
| Baggage Capacity | 50 lb (23 kg) | N/A |
| Performance | ||
| Rate of Climb @ gross | 5200 ft/min | 2800 ft/min |
| Maximum Level Speed @ Sea Level | 326 kts (375 mph) | 326 kn (375 mph) 380 kts (437 mph @ 25000 ft) |
| Cruise Speed @ 75% Power | 300 kts (340 mph) | 250 kts (300 mph) |
| Fuel Consumption | 22-25 gal/h | 50-75 gal/h |
| Range | 1300 NM | 700 NM |
| Service Ceiling | 25,000 ft (7,600 m) | 46,000 ft (14,000 m) |
| Limiting and Recommended Airspeeds | ||
| Vx (best angle of climb) | 87 kts | 87 kts |
| Vy (best rate of climb) | 156 kts | 148 kts |
| Va (design maneuvering) | 222 kts | 226 kts |
| Vfe (max flaps extended) | 165 kts | 143 kts |
| Vle (max landing gear extended) | 148 kts | 148 kts |
| Vne (never exceed) | 439 kts | 439 kts |
| Vsl (stall, clean) | 77 kts | 92 kts |
| Vso (stall, in landing config.) | 68 kts | 88 kts |
| Best Glide | 153 kts | 152 kts |