Thread: US Spitfire Over Berlin

CA15, Im no expert, so it's not surprising that I'd never heard of the CA15 (so, very interesting, thanks), ...it would've been superior to the Mustang?
I was living in Toowoomba when a Mustang was bought up to the 7SD RAAF (stores depot) Base,& placed on a pedestal at the base around 1959/60....I believe that is the aircraft that is now at Pt. Cook.
As far as the Boomerang is concerned, I have a friend living in Toowoomba who was involved with the restoration of the Boomerang which is on display at the Oakey (near Toowoomba) museum.
Cheers, Pickles.

I remember reading a book on the Mustang.
The Americans wanted the Spitfire. Winston said no as all Spitfire production was going into the UK effort but gave the Americans a few.
The Americans said "We'll make them".
North American said "We can produce a better aircraft in less time than you can set up production of the Spitfire.
And they did.
The first P51's (P51A) had an Alison motor. It was useless at high altitude but great at strafing. I read numerous stories of them flying a fe feet off the ground and decimating supply lines.
Then they put the Rolls Royce Merlin in them. They were in short supply so Packhard produced the Merlin under licence.

In short, yes, the Americans had some Spitfires but the Mustang was easier and cheaper for them to produce and were in many ways superior to the Spitfire.
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to fly as a passenger in the Mustang VH-BOB.
Built in Fishermans bend and stationed at Sale.
I have loved the P51D ever since and often see it fly overhead on it's way to some airshow.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

I remember reading a book on the Mustang.
The Americans wanted the Spitfire. Winston said no as all Spitfire production was going into the UK effort but gave the Americans a few.
The Americans said "We'll make them".
North American said "We can produce a better aircraft in less time than you can set up production of the Spitfire.
And they did.
The first P51's (P51A) had an Alison motor. It was useless at high altitude but great at strafing. I read numerous stories of them flying a fe feet off the ground and decimating supply lines.
Then they put the Rolls Royce Merlin in them. They were in short supply so Packhard produced the Merlin under licence.

In short, yes, the Americans had some Spitfires but the Mustang was easier and cheaper for them to produce and were in many ways superior to the Spitfire.
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to fly as a passenger in the Mustang VH-BOB.
Built in Fishermans bend and stationed at Sale.
I have loved the P51D ever since and often see it fly overhead on it's way to some airshow.

"Mustang Passenger"...Geez, How good would that be......Could you describe what it was like...noise/vibration/sense of power? etc etc.
Cheers, Pickles.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

"Mustang Passenger"...Geez, How good would that be......Could you describe what it was like...noise/vibration/sense of power? etc etc.
Cheers, Pickles.

Well, what I remember:
I asked ihe pilot if I could take my camera. "If you can hold it." he said.
"How many g's will we be pulling?"
"About three."
I held the camera. Yeah. I could hold three times that weight.
Headphones were placed on my head. "You can listen to everything I say." said the pilot. "If you want to talk to me move that switch on the side of the seat forward."
Don't remember much of the flight. Basically just flapping around Lake Burrumbeet.
Then the pilot put it into a bit of a dive, gained a little speed, and then pulled it into a bit of a climb. The camera got heavy. Yeah, I could hold that.
I was happily taking photo's when the pilot rolled it inverted. A bit concerning at first but hey, I can handle this. So I continued taking photo's.
Then the pilot pulled up elevator and we dived down pulling into level, upright flight.
During this process my camera became very heavy. My arms holding the camera became very heavy and were pinned to my legs. My legs were pushing down on my feet which felt as if they pushing through the floor. My face felt as if it was falling off. I couldn't lift my hand to flick the communication switch.
When we finally landed, I asked "How many g's were we pulling?" Expecting to hear figures of around ten, I was a little deflated when the pilot replied "About three."
It was a great experience I recommend all enthusiasts of this aircraft to take.