P-51D
Contents
Manual
Cockpit
The cockpit of the P-51D consists of 3 primary sections:
Front Dash
Includes the K-14 Gunsight, the instrument panel, and the front switch panel.
Left Side
Includes engine, trim and additional controls.
Right Side
Includes canopy controls, oxygen system controls, the electrical control panel, and radio systems controls.
K-14 Gunsight
There are 2 major systems included with the K-14 gunsight: The fixed and gyro-actuated optical systems. The fixed gunsight projects a 70 mm ring on the reflector glass, along with a cross. The ring can be hidden by pulling down the masking lever on the left side of the sight, and is primarily used to engage ground targets.
The gyro-actuated optical system projects 6 diamond-shaped pips surrounding a central dot. The gyro-sight can be configured with a target wingspan and a target range, and will the provide a targeting solution for airborne combat.
Front Switch Panel
To the right of this small switch panel is the Front Switch Panel, with the landing gear warning lights and park brake above.
The Front Switch Panel consists of (top to bottom, left to right):
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2nd Row:
Gun/Camera safety switch, Rocket release switch, Delay Switch, Horn silence switch.
3rd Row:
Rocket Counter.
Left Side
From the far left of this panel to the front, we have: Flaps Control, Ram Air Control, Hot Air Control, Rudder Trim, Elevator Trim, Aileron Trim, and Bomb Salvo Release. Below the bomb salvo release there is the landing gear control handle. Along the side of the aircraft, again left to right, is: Flare pistol mount, Coolant Radiator Air Control Switch, Oil Radiator Control Switch, Landing Light switch, Left Flourescent Light Switch, Mixture Control, and Throttle Quadrant Locks.
Right Side
From the far right of this panel to the front, we have: Homing Adaptor Control Panel, IFF Control Panel (not active in this simulation), VHF control box, (bottom) Detrola Control Box, Rear Warning Radar Control Panel, Electrical Control Panel with the Right Fluorescent Light Switch at the top, Circuit Breakers (under bump switch), Oxygen Regulator, above which is the Canopy Hand Crank, Recognition Lights Keying Switch, and emergency Canopy Release.
Basic Operation
Startup
The easiest way to remember the normal startup routine is to do the process from left to right:
Starting at your left elbow:
Flap Handle full (up),
Carburetor Ram Air Control forward to RAM AIR position,
Carburetor Hot Air Control forward to NORMAL position,
Rudder Trim 6 degrees right,
Aileron Trim neutral,
Elevator Trim neutral (if fuselage tank is filled with less than 25 gallons of fuel, 2-4 degrees nose heavy if the fuselage tank is filled with more than 25 gallons),
Landing Gear Handle DOWN,
Mix control to IDLE CUT OFF,
Prop Control Handle full forward,
Throttle open 1 inch,
Gunsight Gyro Selector Switch FIXED,
Gunsight Gyro Motor Switch ON,
Fuel Booster ON,
Fuel Shut Off Valve ON,
Ignition to BOTH,
Battery ON,
Generator ON.
To start the engine, prime the engine using the Primer switch for 3-4 seconds if cold, 1 if warm, raise the starter switch cover and hold the switch in the UP position until the engine starts turning over. When the engine starts turning over, move the Mix control to RUN.
If done correctly, this should start then engine. The starter motor on the P-51 is prone to overheating, so use for only four 20 second bursts, after which it should be given a 5 minute cool down time.
Engine Management
Unlike with aircraft such as the A-10C, the Mustang's engine require a lot more of an alert and hands-on approach to run smoothly.
