How Much Fuel Does a P-51 Tank Hold: Fuel Capacity and Mission Profiles

The performance and effectiveness of the P-51 Mustang

in various missions heavily depend on its fuel capacity. This detailed article explores the different fuel tank configurations and how they impact the aircraft's endurance, mission profile, and overall combat capabilities.

Fuel Capacity and Configuration

The P-51 Mustang, particularly models like the P-51B and P-51D, were designed with specific fuel capacity in mind to ensure they could fulfill their various roles in World War II. These airplanes could carry fuel in multiple tanks, enhancing their flexibility and range.

P-51B Fuel Tanks

The P-51B model featured two fuel tanks in the wings, each holding 90 US gallons. Additionally, the aircraft could carry external tanks, known as drop tanks, which typically held 110 US gallons each. The fuselage also featured a 95 US gallon tank, which could be installed as a kit in the field. This configuration provided a total fuel capacity of around 290 US gallons.

P-51D Fuel Tanks

The P-51D model was even more advanced, with fuel tanks in each wing holding 92 US gallons. The configuration also included the same external drop tanks as the P-51B. Additionally, the fuselage tank held an additional 85 US gallons, making the total fuel capacity around 350 US gallons. This substantial fuel load significantly increased the aircraft's endurance and range.

Impact on Mission Profiles

The fuel capacity of the P-51 Mustang was critical to its mission profiles, especially in combat situations and long-distance flights. The fuel distribution and usage could vary depending on the mission type and operational conditions.

Combat Vss. Ferry Mission

Combat mission: During combat missions, the aircraft often carried the maximum amount of fuel, including the rear fuselage tank, wing tanks, and drop tanks. This configuration increased the total fuel capacity, but also shifted the aircraft's center of gravity (CG) to its aft limits, making it slightly more difficult to handle. Typically, the aircraft would start by using the fuel from the rear fuselage tank, followed by the wing tanks and drop tanks. The entire mission typically lasted around 7-7.5 hours, with some adjustments made for the lighter load on the return flight due to the absence of drop tanks.

Ferry Mission

Ferry mission: For ferrying missions, where the aircraft was not expected to engage in combat, the P-51 typically used less fuel, such as the wing tanks and possibly the fuselage tank, to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency. This configuration provided a range of around 1,350 miles for the P-51B and 1,650 miles for the P-51D.

Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The fuel efficiency of the P-51 Mustang was also noteworthy. According to tests, the P-51D could achieve up to 5.64 miles per gallon, with the P-51B achieving 5.05 miles per gallon during British tests. These figures were impressive, especially considering the demanding nature of the missions.

Critical Tasks and Fuel Management

The standard mission profile for the P-51D included escorting bombers, aerial combat, and strafing ground targets. The P-51B, while similar, had a slightly lower range due to the absence of the fuselage tank, limiting its operations to about 1,350 miles.

Concluding Thoughts

The P-51 Mustang's fuel capacity and flexible tank configurations played a crucial role in its success as a fighter. Understanding these aspects is essential for anyone studying the history and capabilities of this iconic aircraft.