The Flight Characteristics of the
Mustang



Maximum Speed
P-51A1P-51B2P-51C 3P-51D4
At 5000ft340 MPH388 MPH395 MPH395 MPH
At 10000ft360 MPH406 MPH417 MPH416 MPH
At 20000ft390 MPH427 MPH426 MPH424 MPH
At 25000ftN/A430 MPH439 MPH437 MPH
At 30000ftN/A440 MPH435 MPHN/A
1. In all tables, data for "P-51A" applies to production block P-51A-10-NA
2. In all tables, data for "P-51B" applies to production block P-51B-1-NA
3. In all tables, data for "P-51C" applies to production block P-51C-10-NT
4. In all tables, data for "P-51D" applies to production block P-51D-25-NA

Range1
P-51AP-51BP-51CP-51D
On Internal Fuel375 Miles2410 Miles3650 Miles4475 Miles5
With Maximum External Fuel1175 Miles61100 Miles71220 Miles81150 Miles9
1. As used here, range is defined as maximum distance from base from which aircraft can safely return, i.e., it is the distance, out and back plus reserve fuel. This is maximum range. Operational range (out and back plus fuel for dogfighting and bomber escort over target area, plus reserve) is considerably shorter.
2. This figure is calculated at 300 MPH at 10,000ft.
3. At 253 MPH at 10,000ft. At 343 MPH and 25,000ft, range was 275 miles.
4. At 260 MPH at 10,000ft. At 397 MPH and 25,000ft, range was 478 miles.
5. At 395 MPH at 25,000ft.
6. With two 125 Imp. gallon tanks, at 228 MPH. At 266 MPH, range was 1000 miles.
7. At 244 MPH.
8. At 249 MPH
9. At most economical cruise conditions, with 489 US gallons of total fuel.

Time-to-Altitude Performance
P-51AP-51BP-51CP-51D
Time to 5000ft2.2 minutes1.8 minutes1.6 minutes1.7 minutes
Time to 10000ft4.4 minutes3.6 minutes3.1 minutes3.3 minutes
Time to 20000ft9.1 minutes7 minutes6.9 minutes7.3 minutes

Miscellaneous Performance
P-51AP-51BP-51CP-51D
Initial Rate-of-ClimbN/AN/AN/A3,475 Feet per Minute
Service Ceiling31,350ft42,000ft41,900ft 41,900ft



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