P-51D-20-NA (Israel)

This page is about the fighter P-51D-20-NA (Israel). For other versions, see P-51 (Family).

P-51D-20-NA

P-51D-20-NA

Description

The P-51D-20-NA Mustang is a rank Israeli fighter with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced in Update "Winged Lions".

General info

Flight performance

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 7,620 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	685	668		23.0	23.8	15.7	15.7	396
Upgraded	735	710		21.0	22.0	22.8	18.9

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
		644	512	265	~11	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 500	< 300	< 500	> 400

Survivability and armour

• 38 mm Bulletproof glass
• 19.05 mm Steel behind the propeller hub
• 6.35 mm Steel plate in front of the cockpit
• 11 mm Steel pilot headrest
• 8 mm Steel pilot seat

Armaments

Offensive armament

The P-51D-20-NA (Israel) is armed with:

• 6 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (500 rpg inner + 270 rpg centre + 270 rpg outer = 2,080 total)

Suspended armament

The P-51D-20-NA (Israel) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
250 lb AN-M57 bombs					1	1
500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs					1	1
1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs					1	1
AR rockets	1	1	1	1			1	1	1	1
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 550 kg

Default weapon presets
Without load 8 x AR rockets 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (500 lb total) 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total) 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Auto control available	Separate	Not controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great top speed at any altitude
• Outstanding Boom-and-Zoom capability
• Excellent high-speed manoeuvrability
• Respectable armament with plenty of ammunition
• Large variety of payload options
• Good cockpit visibility, good for SB
• Generous fuel load for long-distance flights

Cons:

• Generally sluggish at low speeds
• Average climb rate
• Large minimum fuel load compared to other fighters which can cause fuel tanks to burn for longer
• Somewhat fragile aviation components

History

In the summer of 1948, Israeli agents looking to acquire aircraft for the newly founded Israeli Air Forces smuggled four P-51s into Israel to bypass the United States Arms Embargo, in crates labelled "Agricultural Equipment". The first two, No. 190 and 191, arrived in September of 1948, entering Israel's first fighter squadron. They served in Herzliya and Castina (Hazor) during the War of Independence in 1948. The planes dominated the skies, due to its long range that could reach across the entire Middle East, as well as better performance than the aircraft of the Arab side.

The first shootdown by a P-51 was on November 20th, 1948, when an RAF Mosquito was shot down during a mission to collect intelligence on Israel. The first combat was against Egyptian C. 205s on January 5th, 1949. On the last day of fighting, two days later, the two P-51s encountered six Egyptian C. 205s while on an escort mission, and shot three down.

The P-51s were used as the primary fighter of the IAF, performing bomber escorts, ground attacks, and maritime patrol. However, in the early 1950s, the IAF started to arm itself with jets such as the Meteor, Ouragan, and Mystere. During the 1956 Suez Crisis, the P-51 was brought back into action due to the international circumstances. IAF command refused to let the P-51s fly before achieving air superiority, only being active by the end of the war.

Due to the proliferation of jet fighters, as well as advancements made in anti-aircraft weaponry, the P-51 was retired on January 15th, 1961. It served the historical purpose of using multi-role fighters of both ground attack and interception roles to maximize capabilities with a limited fighter arm.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the P-51D-20-NA can be used for the P-51D-20-NA (Israel).

See also

Related development

• P-51D-20-NA
• P-51K (China)
• J26

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

North American Aviation
Fighters
P-51A	P-51 · P-51A
P-51C	P-51C-10
P-51D	P-51D-5 · P-51D-10 · P-51D-20-NA · P-51D-30
P-51H	P-51H-5-NA
Twin-engine fighters	F-82E
Jet fighters	F-86A-5 · F-86F-2 · F-86F-25 · F-86F-35 · F-100D
Strike aircraft	A-36 · PBJ-1H · PBJ-1J
	FJ-4B · FJ-4B VMF-232
Bombers	B-25J-1 · B-25J-20
Export/Licence	▂B-25J-30 · ␗B-25J-30
	▄Mustang Mk IA · F-6C-10-NA · ␗P-51C-11-NT · ␗P-51D-20 · J26 David · J26 · P-51D-20-NA · ␗P-51K
	F-86F-30 ▅ · ␗F-86F-30 · F-86F-40 ▅ · F-86F-40 JASDF▅ · ␗F-86F-40
	◄F-86K · ▄F-86K (Italy) · ▄F-86K (France)
	␗F-100A · ▄F-100D · ␗F-100F
Captured	▅P-51C-11-NT
	Canadair Limited license-built the F-86 as the CL-13 for use in Canada and export to Europe.
	Fiat license-built the F-86K for the Italian Air Force though another 120 NAA built F-86Ks were also sold to the Italians.
See Also	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries · Canadair Limited · Fiat Aviation