Wm Dickens P-51A/Mutang MkIA DP Question

[Typhoon Willy]

I was modifying the .dp file to use DBolt's bombs when I was looking at the gun station entries. The wings have three .50 cal barrels, however, it appears there are only entries for TWO .50 cal guns on each wing if I'm reading this correctly:

[GUNSTATIONS]
; Port Guns
gunstation.0=0,24,1,0.08,839,2,0.01,500,2,50,1d1*1 8,-2.144,-0.585,1.040,-0.37941,0,0.44950,0,0,0,0,1.6
; Starboard Guns
gunstation.1=0,31,1,0.08,839,2,0.01,500,2,50,1d1*1 8,2.144,-0.585,1.040,-0.37941,0,-0.44950,0,0,0,0,1.6
;
gunstation.2=3,21,8,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0.000,0.000,0. 000,0.000,0.000,0.000,0,0,0,0,0
;
gunstation.3=2,-1,4,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000, 0.000,0,0,0,0,0
; Nose Guns
gunstation.4=0,45,1,0.08,839,2,0.01,500,2,50,1d1*8 ,0.000,0.000,0.000,-0.25725,0,0.00000,0,0,0,0,0

[guns.0]
gun.0=280,0.000,0.210,-0.090,0,0,1,280
gun.1=350,-0.300,0.270,-0.110,0,0,1,350
(should be an entry here)?

[guns.1]
gun.0=280,-0.040,0.210,-0.090,0,0,1,280
gun.1=350,0.300,0.270,-0.100,0,0,1,350
(should be an entry here)?

[guns.2]
gun.0=3,0,0,0,0,0,0,3

[guns.3]
gun.0=6,0,0,0,0,0,0,6

[guns.4]
gun.0=400,-0.190,-0.410,2.760,0,0,1,400
gun.1=400,0.150,-0.410,2.760,0,0,1,400

IF I am correct in my analysis, could somebody point me in the right direction in adjusting this?

Kind regards,

TW

[glh]

According to http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/variants/p51a

Specifications:



Model
-
P-51A


Production
-
310


Length
-
32.25


Height
-
12.2


Wingspan
-
37.04


Weight - empty
-
6433


Weight - normal T.O.
-
8600


Weight - max G.W.
-
10600


Powerplant
-
Allison V-1710-81


Horsepower
-
1200


Propeller
-
Curtiss 3-bladed electric 10'9"


Max Speed
-
390 @ 20k


Service Ceiling
-
31,350


Fuel Capacity
-
180


Drop Tanks
-
2x 75 gal


Range
-
750 / 1375+


Guns
-
4x .50 cal - 1260 rounds


Bomb / Rockets
-
2x 500 lb bombs




It appears you have an incorrect gun configuration for the visual model. Someone just adjusted the .dp file to correct for it.

From what I have read, standard gun armament on A, B & C models was 4 x .50 cal. D models and later standardized on the 6 x .50 cal. arrangement.

[Typhoon Willy]

Hi GLH,

I thought that was the case since the "B" model only has four .50 cals. The model I downloaded looks more like an A-36 without the dive brakes, but with six gun barrels plus two in the chin.

Thanks for the info,

TW

[Blood_Hawk23]

It could be the first MKI. with 4 50s and 4 30s.

[hewman100]

Mustang I: four .303s and four .5s
Mustang IA: four 20mm
Mustang II: Same as IA with bomb carrying capability of A-36A and wings plumbed for drop tanks.

[Typhoon Willy]

Here's a close up of the port side wing:

[glh]

If you read the description at Simviation on pg. 109 of the CFS2 section, it states that this particular modification by Mr. Dickens started out as a "B" model Mustang by A.F. Scrub. There is also an early A-36 Apache right above this "B" Mustang model.

"Scrubbie" is a very prolific designer in the community and he has been lately upgrading his old models to FSX standards. Personally, I like his work and basically collect his output.

According to Willy's picture, there are 3 gun barrels to each wing on the model (plus 2 in the chin). Since Mr. Dickens in the description mentions only modifying fuselage parts in his conversion, I would be inclined to guess that Scrubbie designed the original wing and chin and it has been retained.

Did he borrow model parts or a wing from an earlier project just to make the process go faster ?? Who knows ?? You can see from posts other than mine the variety of armament packages and I believe Scrubbie just went with the best info he had at the time of design.

However, it does appear that Mr. Dickens adjusted the .dp file to reflect the correct gun configuration for that model. It will perform, armament-wise, as would be expected. The wing visual model (and chin, I assume) has a SMALL imperfection in gun barrel design and, really, it would serve no purpose to escalate this molehill into the proverbial mountain.

I would just live with it if you like it or get another visual model.

[Typhoon Willy]

Hi GLH,

Just to clarify, I wasn't complaining nor criticizing the model, just merely inquiring if the dp was incorrect. Since, by all accounts of those who responded, the gun configuration appears to be proper, I'll leave well enough alone and call it good.

Kind regards,

TW

[glh]

Hi GLH,

Just to clarify, I wasn't complaining nor criticizing the model, just merely inquiring if the dp was incorrect. Since, by all accounts of those who responded, the gun configuration appears to be proper, I'll leave well enough alone and call it good.

Kind regards,

TW

Willy, I realize you weren't complaining.

A thought struck me last night after my post. The package states that it contains both a Mustang Mk I (Brit model) and a P-51A. Now Blood Hawk23 and hewman100 both stated that the Mk I had 4x.50 cal.and 4x.30 cal.for a total of 8 MG's. That is EXACTLY what is depicted in the visual model with 6 in the wings and 2 chin mounts. Scrubbie probably did the Mk I model first and also used it for the P-51A. Adjusting the .dp file would make the armament configurations applicable to the different aircraft.