Transitioning to the Mustang

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TatoBean
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Transitioning to the Mustang

Post by TatoBean »

Hi All,

I've been over in the T-6 forums learning that beast for almost 2 years now and after about 150 hours, am getting fairly confident in my warbird handling abilities. Still got some energy management stuff to work out and getting better at crosswind landings, but I'm getting to the point where I'm starting to consider the transition to the Mustang. As someone who likes the ability to not only fly the airplanes realistically, but also enjoys the ability to manage them, the idea of just jumping in and wrecking it a few times while I learn isn't exactly appealing to me. So on that note I was wondering if any of the experienced P-51 folks here could give me some tips of things to work on in the T-6 before making the jump over?

Things you wish you knew, tips and tricks to make my life easier while I learn, the transferrable habits. Stuff like that.


Thanks so much!!
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Paughco
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Re: Transitioning to the Mustang

Post by Paughco »

Tatobean: The Mustang was designed to kill people. It's still doing a pretty good job. So - what'cha gonna get? The Military, or the Civ? I really like my Civ version, with the autopilot and the GTN right up near the top of the panel.

If you can successfully take off, fly, and land in the T-6, you should be able to fly a P-51. The main difference is on the takeoff roll. Power management is a much bigger concern on the Mustang during takeoff. I recommend that you carefully read this link: viewtopic.php?f=93&t=32663, particularly this links in the first two posts. Next, you might want to watch these videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUOmJzxoaCA&t=653s and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtFeJ-yXii0&t=302s. Also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oL4LwU74pQ.

Notice in that last video that the first takeoff is in a Civilian Mustang and the second takeoff is in a Military Mustang. I have the Civ Mustang, and I've managed to the the RXP GTN 650 working in it. I flew with the A2A Misfit Squadron on a MP flight from Barrow, Alaska all the way down to the tip of South America. We did about 500 miles on each Friday. Needless to say, by the time we got done with that flight, we were all pretty good Mustang pilots. I was finally able to get my Mustang started up at Barrow after reading the 6th post in this thread: https://www.a2asimulations.com/forum/vi ... 93&t=32607.

Anything you see from Dudley on this forum can be considered as gospel.

Pro Tip: Leave the fuselage tank empty until you get used to the airplane.

Seeya
ATB
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TatoBean
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Joined: 27 Feb 2020, 15:16

Re: Transitioning to the Mustang

Post by TatoBean »

Paughco wrote: 09 Oct 2021, 17:47 Tatobean: The Mustang was designed to kill people. It's still doing a pretty good job. So - what'cha gonna get? The Military, or the Civ? I really like my Civ version, with the autopilot and the GTN right up near the top of the panel.

If you can successfully take off, fly, and land in the T-6, you should be able to fly a P-51. The main difference is on the takeoff roll. Power management is a much bigger concern on the Mustang during takeoff. I recommend that you carefully read this link: viewtopic.php?f=93&t=32663, particularly this links in the first two posts. Next, you might want to watch these videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUOmJzxoaCA&t=653s and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtFeJ-yXii0&t=302s. Also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oL4LwU74pQ.

Notice in that last video that the first takeoff is in a Civilian Mustang and the second takeoff is in a Military Mustang. I have the Civ Mustang, and I've managed to the the RXP GTN 650 working in it. I flew with the A2A Misfit Squadron on a MP flight from Barrow, Alaska all the way down to the tip of South America. We did about 500 miles on each Friday. Needless to say, by the time we got done with that flight, we were all pretty good Mustang pilots. I was finally able to get my Mustang started up at Barrow after reading the 6th post in this thread: https://www.a2asimulations.com/forum/vi ... 93&t=32607.

Anything you see from Dudley on this forum can be considered as gospel.

Pro Tip: Leave the fuselage tank empty until you get used to the airplane.

Seeya
ATB
Thanks! Probably gonna go with the civillian version as it's the most realistic for modern day use (I keep the shooting down airplanes part in DCS) If you know any good repainters I'd love a good 1950's Illinois ANG paint to go along with my Chicago heritage. And eventually try and join in some of the multi player stuff cause I'd love to learn formation flying. But I think my Stone Age computer that's likely more useful as a boat anchor is gonna have to go before I can get enough processor power to be able to run that smooth enough for formation work.
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ratty
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Re: Transitioning to the Mustang

Post by ratty »

Good tips from Paughco. I got the Mustang before the T-6 came out, and I learned to take off at Edwards, where there are huge flat areas you can lurch around on as you get used to controlling the takeoff roll. My pro tip: be very careful with the power if you find yourself in a low, slow, left-hand turn to final.

And, yes, the Civ is unquestionably the way to go.
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Skycat
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Location: Great Falls Army Air Base, Montana

Re: Transitioning to the Mustang

Post by Skycat »

IMO if you can already fly the DCS TF-51D or P-51D then transitioning to the A2A version.will be easy.
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TatoBean
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Re: Transitioning to the Mustang

Post by TatoBean »

Skycat wrote: 09 Oct 2021, 19:52 IMO if you can already fly the DCS TF-51D or P-51D then transitioning to the A2A version.will be easy.
Oh no, I do jets in DCS. hahaha
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Skycat
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Location: Great Falls Army Air Base, Montana

Re: Transitioning to the Mustang

Post by Skycat »

There are jets in DCS? :shock: :D

But seriously, the free TF-51D has tutorials that I think include crosswind landings. The flight modeling is a little more twitchy than A2A's, and DCS systems fail more quickly and instantly when abused. So my point is, crash away in DCS without care and it will probably make your first flights with A2A's feel old hat.
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