Rolls-Royce Mustang Mk.X

The North American Mustang Mk.X, also known as the "Rolls-Royce Mustang") was a British variant of the US North American P-51 Mustang using a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in an experimental program undertaken by the Rolls-Royce company in 1942.

Mustang Mk.X
Mustang Mk X AM203 in the third configuration tested with a high-speed paint finish applied by Sanderson and Holmes, the coachbuilders in Derby, UK.
Role Experimental aircraft
Manufacturer North American Aviation
Built by Rolls-Royce (modifications)
First flight 13 October 1942
Introduction Experimental
Primary users Royal Air Force
United States Army Air Forces
Number built 5
Developed from North American P-51 Mustang
Early Allison-powered P-51, October 1942

Design and development

In April 1942, the Royal Air Force's Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU) tested the Allison V-1710-engined Mustang at higher altitudes and found it wanting, but their commanding officer, Wing Commander Ian Campbell-Orde, was so impressed with its maneuverability and low-altitude speed that he invited Ronald Harker from Rolls-Royce's Flight Test establishment at Hucknall to fly it.

It was quickly evident that performance, although exceptional up to 15,000 ft (4,600 m), was inadequate at higher altitudes. This deficiency was due largely to the single-stage supercharged Allison engine, which lacked power at higher altitudes. Still, the Mustang's advanced aerodynamics showed to advantage, as the Mustang Mk.I was about 30 mph (48 km/h) faster than contemporary Curtiss P-40 fighters using the same Allison powerplant. The Mustang Mk.I was 30 mph (48 km/h) faster than the Spitfire Mk VC at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) and 35 mph (56 km/h) faster at 15,000 ft (4,600 m), despite the latter having a significantly more powerful engine than the Mustang's Allison.[1]

Above 15,000 ft (4,600 m) however, its performance fell off quite rapidly and at 20,000 ft (6,100 m) its maximum speed was 357 mph, which was slower than both the Spitfire V and Me 109F. Its rate of climb also decreased significantly and it required eleven minutes to reach 20,000' vs the Spitfire V at seven.[2]

Harker suggested to Rolls-Royce's Chief Aerodynamic Engineer at Hucknall, W Challier, that the Mustang's performance would be significantly improved if a Rolls-Royce Merlin 61 from a Spitfire MK IX with its two-speed two-stage intercooled supercharger were fitted. This engine had allowed the MK IX prototype to reach 417mph at 28,000ft. If this was combined with the Mustang's aerodynamically efficient airframe, its performance would better any current fighter

Challier estimated that the combination would result in 441 mph at 25,600ft.

The American Assistant Air Attache in London, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Hitchcock, was greatly excited by the prospect, and via his Ambassador arranged to provide the USAAF‘s General Henry H ‘Hap’ Arnold with details, and the recommendations of senior RAF officers, including Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory. Colonel Hitchcock was convinced the conversion would work, but General Arnold reserved judgment until practical experience had been gained. [3]

At this point he considered that the USAAF had the P-38 Lightning and the P-47 Thunderbolt in service and this early, their limitations had not yet been discovered.

Rolls-Royce began to effect the necessary conversion of four Mustangs designated Mustang Xs at Hucknall in June 1942[4]

With a minimum of modification to the engine bay, the Merlin engine neatly fitted into the adapted engine formers. A smooth engine cowling with an additional "chin" radiator was tried out in various configurations as the two-stage Merlin required a greater cooling capacity than could be obtained with the standard Mustang radiator alone. The Merlin 65 series engine was utilised in all the prototypes as it was identical to the Merlin 66 powering the Spitfire Mk IX, allowing for a closer comparison. Due to the speed of the conversions, engines were often swapped from aircraft to aircraft as well as being replaced by newer units.

Testing

On 13 October 1942 AL 975G took to the air with Rolls-Royce's Chief Test Pilot Ronald Shepherd at the controls. The Merlin had been neatly installed in the sleek nose of the Mustang on a new engine mounting. Visually the Merlin Mustang differed from its Allison-engined predecessor by the removal of the latter's carburettor air intake above the nose, and its incorporation with the intake scoop for the supercharger intercooler now located below the nose just aft of the spinner.[5]

The high-altitude performance was a major advance over the Mustang I, with the Mustang X serial AM208 reaching 433 mph (697 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,700 m) and AL975 tested at an absolute ceiling of 40,600 ft (12,400 m). Air Ministry official, Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfrid Freeman (Chief Executive at the Ministry of Aircraft Production - MAP) lobbied vociferously for Merlin-powered Mustangs, insisting two of the five experimental Mustang Mk Xs be handed over to Carl Spaatz for trials and evaluation by the U.S. Eighth Air Force in Britain. In this, Lt Col. Hitchcock again played a key role. After sustained lobbying at the highest level, American production started in early 1943 of a North American-designed Mustang patterned after a P-51 Mustang prototype originally designated the XP-78 that utilised the Packard V-1650-3 Merlin engine replacing the Allison engine.[6]

The pairing of the P-51 airframe and Merlin engine was later designated P-51B for the model NA-102 (manufactured at Inglewood, California) or P-51C for the model NA-103 (manufactured at a new plant in Dallas, Texas from summer 1943). The RAF named both these models Mustang Mk.III. In performance tests, the P-51B achieved 441 mph (710 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,600 m), and subsequent extended range with the use of drop tanks enabled the Merlin-powered Mustang version to be introduced as a bomber escort.

Variants
Mustang Mk.X conversions:
  • AG518: Used for engine installation studies, but due to a lack of guns, armour and wireless equipment, it was deemed by Rolls-Royce to be "below" latest production standards and not converted.
  • AM121: This aircraft arrived at the Rolls-Royce Flight Test Establishment at Hucknall on 7 June 1942 and was the first to be delivered but the last to be converted. A broader chord fin was installed but the aircraft was not slated for testing at Hucknall and instead was sent to RAF Duxford before being loaned to the 8th Fighter Command USAAF at Bovingdon along with AL963.
  • AL963: First used for performance and handling trials of the Mustang I before conversion on 2 July 1942; its nose contours had a much "sleeker" appearance due to the intercooler radiator being relocated to the main radiator duct. Other changes included a small fin extension and the "blanking" of cowling louvres. This example was able to reach 422 mph (679 km/h) at 22,400 ft (6,800 m). It was sent to the USAAF Air Technical Section at Bovington for evaluation.
  • AL975/G: First used for performance and handling trials of the Mustang I before conversion on 2 July 1942; flying for the first time on 13 October 1942. The aircraft was identifiable by a bulged lower engine cowling and was also fitted with a four-blade Spitfire Mk IX propeller. In testing, it achieved a top speed of 425 mph (684 km/h) at 21,000 ft (6,400 m).
  • AM203: The third aircraft was fitted with a four-bladed, 11 ft 4 in Rotol wooden-bladed propeller and achieved 431 mph (694 km/h) at 21,000 ft (6,400 m).
  • AM208: The second conversion had the front radiator flap sealed permanently giving a 6–7 mph (9.7–11.3 km/h) boost. The same modification was subsequently made to all test aircraft.

Advanced developments
Artist's concept drawing of the Rolls-Royce F.T.B.

In June 1943, Rolls-Royce proposed to re-engine the Mustang with a Griffon 65, although the resultant "Flying Test Bed" (F.T.B.) would involve a dramatic redesign. Three surplus Mustang I airframes were allotted by the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) and were dismantled in order to provide the major components for a mid-amidships installation of the more powerful Griffon engine, somewhat like the V-1710 Allison installation in both the American Bell P-39 Airacobra and Bell P-63 Kingcobra. The project culminated in a mock-up, albeit with a Merlin 61 temporarily installed, serialed as AL960, that was examined by representatives from the Ministry in 1944, but was not given priority status. Further studies involving more powerful engines or turboprops were not given approval and the development contract was cancelled in 1945 with the mock-up being destroyed.[7]

Operators
 United Kingdom
 United States

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. Birch 1987, p. 11.
  2. Newby-Grant,William-P-51 Mustang. 1980 Bison Books p22
  3. Perret, Geoffrey, Winged Victory Random House p 119
  4. Newby-Grant,William-P-51 Mustang. 1980 Bison Books p22
  5. Newby-Grant,William-P-51 Mustang. 1980 Bison Books p22
  6. Newby-Grant, William- P-51 Mustang. 1980 p 29
  7. Birch 1987, pp. 96–98.

Bibliography
  • Birch, David. Rolls-Royce and the Mustang. Derby, UK: Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, 1987. ISBN 0-9511710-0-3.
  • Delve, Ken. The Mustang Story. London: Cassell & Co., 1999. ISBN 1-85409-259-6.
  • Gruenhagen, Robert W. Mustang: The Story of the P-51 Mustang. New York: Arco Publishing Company, Inc., 1969. ISBN 0-668-03912-4.
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