P-51 Bubble Canopies ?

Seems to me (and I'm only going from memory here) that there was "Dallas" canopy, a "Malcom" canopy, and the third, more common, bubble canopy.

Did a quick search and came up with this:

www.mustangsmustangs.com/.../p51d

The Malcom hood was only on the C and B models IIRC.

Theuns

I think you're right, Theuns.

It depends on where it was made (though I don't remember which is which).  I did come across this on a different forum.  Should be rather useful.

Groot

I haven't opened my 1/32 Tamiya kit yet but here is a drawing of two different types of bubble top canopies.   The only major difference is the little hump at the rear of one type.  

i54.photobucket.com/.../P51%20Canopy%20001.jpg

The very idea that the 'Dallas' canopy "was just an unintended variation made by different batch runs of the canopies" is beyond ridiculous. That they could consistently mould them perfectly in the wrong shape and then go "Aw shucks, what are we going to do with those, oh fit them anyway they'll probably be alright" beggars belief.  

If one came out the wrong shape then it would be discarded and someone would find out why it happened and fix it. Even very small changes could have a detrimental affect on aerodynamics and drag so any changes would have to have been approved by NAA engineers first.

Two of the canopies are probably meant to be the 'early' and 'late' Inglewood canopies. If you have problems discerning any difference, join the club, as the there is only a very slight variation in the shape.

The so called 'Dallas' canopy was manufactured by NNA subcontractors. When setting up the Dallas production lines the profile of the canopy for additional subcontractors was altered, very much on purpose, to give the pilot more headroom. It is said that some pilots preferred this canopy. Early model Ks had the Inglewood canopy. Also at Inglewood at one stage a similar canopy to the Dallas type was introduced. Michael O'Leary, author of Building the P-51 Mustang, says that there were at least five variations in the shape of the canopy.

The two types of canopy were interchangeable and can turn up anywhere. There even photographs that show the same Mustang at different times with different canopy types.

There were also P82s (Twin Mustangs) with one of each canopy type. Both types were also fitted to the H model as well.  

antoni

Two of the canopies are probably meant to be the 'early' and 'late' Inglewood canopies. If you have problems discerning any difference, join the club, as the there is only a very slight variation in the shape.

I assume these canopies were all interchangable?

Theuns

RobGroot4

It depends on where it was made (though I don't remember which is which).  I did come across this on a different forum.  Should be rather useful.

Groot

That is my drawing that was referenced on this website which compares the two canopy basic shapes.  The Inglewood canopy was made by a different process, made in a mold, while the Dallas canopy was free blown which gave it a different shape.  Other variations were whether an antenna was routed through the canopy or not.

I looked at one of my Tamiya kits, the first one that was issued, Kit No. 60322.  The A option uses the Dallas canopy, part P1 (see step 60 of these instructions)  The B option uses part N1, and the C option uses part M1 with a rear view mirror added to it using additional parts.  My opinion is that M-1 and N1 are both Inglewood canopies, but M1 is a little more bulged out at the front and sides.  Don't know why but I do believe I have seen both.  All three canopies have the antenna feature.

I don't mind the drawing being posted , I put it there to share, but if people name the source then others will have access to the other info I have on the page.  There are some close-up pictures of the way the antenna was routed through the canopy also.

As Antoni said, once the airplane had it's canopy replaced either type could be installed as the frame was the same.  And if it's a restored warbird who knows who or how the canopy was made.

Here is a link to my page on the P-51 where the drawing is.

http://www.yolo.net/~jeaton/Propplanes/p51/p51.htm

My squadron used the P-51D block 20, 25, and 30,  the 25 and 30s from both plants.  I have not found and engineering change causing the Dallas canopy to be of different design.  It was built by the Evans plastic company in Dallas using a different manufacturing process which caused the "bump" in the  front and flat surface at the front edge of the frame bow.  the frames were interchangible as was the glass.  Supply stock could provide either canopy for replacement .  The P-82 and P-51H, all built at

Inglewood have their own canopy shape.  Any builders of Australian and New Zealand Mustangs could find variance in canopies due to the mix of Inglewood and Dallas aircraft.

An accurate P-51D/K model and canopy style should correlate to the aircraft serial number  which would relate to the plant of Manufacture.