Precious Metal P-51D (XR) Mustang 2013 qualifying run

Thom Richard and Precious Metal going up for the teams qual run to set their place on the poll. Thom ended up with the 6th fasted speed of 440.385mph, not bad for having to put the semi stock engine in just before Reno due to a problem with the race engine.

[@mdatlanta76]

I was part of the team that originally built precious metal in 1987. The only thing "original P-51" on the whole airframe is the tail, from the rudder on back. To get the griffon motor to fit, the firewall was moved rearward by almost 2 feet to keep the airframe within the CG envelope. At one point in time, one of the original designers of the P-51 consulted with us during the build. The project manager for the build is still restoring and maintaining P-51s today.

[@luvr381]

What about the belly radiator? Looks like P-51.

[@eliaslundstedt5607]

Im not sure if I like that canopie. you could have mad it look more like a P51 A

[@dieselyeti]

@@eliaslundstedt5607 The drag was probably too high. In racing form follows function.

[@dave_yeg8596]

Lotza $$$$$$!!!!!!!!

[@joeries725]

Cockpit looks more like a "C" model than a "D" model.

[@dhy5342]

Aside from the beauty and performance o the aircraft, i am most impressed by the photography. It's rare that this type of recording can keep the subject in frame and focused 100% of the time. This is exceptional.

[@nathangagnon4950]

dhy5342 now the photographer needs to video a Bigfoot lol.

[@reaality3860]

nathan, Bigfoot exists naturally out of focus. If you ever see one in focus it is a fake.

[@rickstd7083]

a beauty. +1 nice photography here for sure

[@dennisfretty3351]

Rick Std llllllol',,kmkkjjkjjjjjjjjjujjhhhhumn. Ggg

[@dirtydancingdk]

Recording done by a truely well educated photographer using manual focusing :-)

[@robinpriester6496]

Truly one of the best prop planes ever built not just for his power and speed but it's control and handling definitely decades ahead of its time

[@cannonfodder6299]

Well, not decades. Jets replaced em in under a decade.

[@Nurhaal]

​@cannonfodder6299 lol yea. The P-51 didn't even come close to having concepts in mind that determined area rule, all-moving tails, ect. One thing it did try very hard in and did pretty well for its day was more manufacturing focused - the goal of trying to keep Laminar flow around the aircraft, namely the wings, in an effort to reduce parasitic drag. For an aircraft that was produced as cheaply as it was, as fast as it was and as much as it was, to even have manufacturing results that had good characteristics to try and maintain laminar flow over the wings was impressive.

[@kinleyclemmons1607]

@@robinpriester6496 I was fortunate enough to see one a new smart a** b**** at the airport. There that had been restoand I mean, I was just amazed amazed as amazed at how it looked brand new as well. It's just a it's artwork.

[@Jacksonflax]

@@Nurhaal Area rule wasn't even remotely understood at the time of ANY WW2 designs...

[@Nurhaal]

@@Jacksonflax uh... yes. I know. Reread my post.

[@bfarm44]

“You know what this propeller needs, another propeller”

[@sethjansson5652]

You know what this 'Stang needs? Another Mustang.

[@j-c4997]

Seth Jansson F-82 laughing in the distance

[@sethjansson5652]

@@j-c4997 No...we mustn't speak of that oversized Frankenstein creation...

[@glidercoach]

@Mark Grudt It's all about the need for speed.

[@richardoakley8800]

@Mark Grudt the original mustang had a Packard v 12 and the performance was OK.. tben rolls Royce sent them a merlin..and the p 51 became a true fighter..now its got a grown up engine.. supposedly there were 3 of these prototypes in 1945

[@kumaflamewar6524]

man i love the stock ass p51D that rolls by in the background, kinda drives home how different these racing rigs are

[@muskokamike127]

I KNOW, when I saw that I said "now THAT'S a mustang"!!!

[@PatPowell-d4d]

So sad its all gone now, Im very thankful to have been there thru the fast times.

[@WarChallenger]

Nah, not gone. They’ve said they’re relocating to a new airfield, but they have no intentions to stop the racing any time soon. Can’t say I blame ‘em for wanting a change of scenery. Roswell is a gorgeous area with an extensive aerospace history.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Roswell? Will they have a flying saucer category? 🙂

[@kiwidiesel]

Yup, it's the unlimited class🤣

[@atrium8609]

The mighty Rolls Royce Griffon, one of the most powerfull V12 engines ever made.

[@rafezetter8003]

British - remember that.

[@boburwell9921]

@@rafezetter8003 jaguar and Range Rover, don’t forget that

[@rafezetter8003]

@@boburwell9921 how is that relevant? lots of things are british, but Jaguar were NOT a mark of excellence, looked nice in the 60's but rustbuckets and range rovers are now the MOST stolen cars for crime.

[@boburwell9921]

@@rafezetter8003 remember the moon landing? 🇺🇸

[@rafezetter8003]

@@boburwell9921 Ehhh sure. Based on a hybrid of German and UK technology. First Jet engine UK, first rocket engine, Germany. Gyroscope that made rockets possible. UK. 1743. BEFORE YOUR COUNTRY EVEN EXISTED. Want to keep pissing into the wind?

[@PowerfulTruth]

Had a chance to fly a Navy SNJ WWII Fighter Trainer at Warbird Adventures out of Kissimmee, FL. Tom Richards, the pilot of Precious Metal here, was my Instructor Pilot on the flight. What an Aviator and Stud. A joy to fly with. Precious Metal was in the Hanger, being prepared for Reno. It was a Great Day!

[@jackmehoff2312]

With the counter rotating props and that big RR Griffon engine... cranked up my speakers and the sweet sound of forced induction V12 made me cry tears of joy!! Love it... Bucket list trip is the Air Races to see these magnificent beasts in action!

[@005658able]

I have flown P51 mustangs in the past. I find that there is no other plane like the P51. Its a bat out of hell. Love it. Charles

[@stephencornwell9233]

Except a spitfire

[@stephencornwell9233]

@Ibraheem Khan after the spitfires

[@Juno58]

Or a Sea Fury?

[@max-mg7gk]

Or the flying pancake

[@dozerconway5874]

Defiantly a bucket list thing to do

[@duane8620]

Man, I love the narrow sleek canopy it really works with the lines of a Mustang. I have an unrelenting passion for prop planes, there is nothing like a low and fast prop buzzing past. That sound is like music to me.

[@aandc2005]

Duane Ransom yes its the sound of freedom 🇺🇸🎉🎊

[@tori9365]

Buzzing AND roaring

[@christopherdoff-sotta4441]

That sound just says POWER. imagine flying one of those in ww2. Lol

[@valvefloater]

To every Motörhead I sure hope so

[@kentuckyblugrass]

When I saw the thumbnail i thought I was looking at a RC plane...boy was I wrong. Absolutely beautiful plane and camera work!👊

[@tragkfshnt]

Kentucky Blugrass Well someone did build a RC versions of the plane complete with counter rotating props.

[@lightningstrikestwice6302]

Me too! Glad I checked it out.

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

Same same

[@emersonalbertodeespindola646]

RCitsverygoodOk

[@EternallyDisappointed]

@@tragkfshnt Any footage of that?

[@d3adby3amexe]

That melody from those blades is impressive, I love this aircraft

[@neild3074]

I love this plane because it gives us a look at the last Spitfire that never was. In 1945 Supermarine developed a Spitfire with the Mustang lamina flow wing and a 2400hp Griffin engine with contra rotating props. Because it no longer had the iconic elliptical wing they renamed it the Supermarine Spiteful, only 17 were built and it never saw service as the jet age had arrived. However the power plant was used in the Shackleton bomber, I assume that is where this planes engine came from. So now we have an idea of how the ultimate Spitfire would have performed.

[@joshjack6127]

The Spiteful didn't have contra rotating props, it had a single 5 bladed prop similar like that on the Hawker Sea Fury

[@devinthierault]

You're thinking of the Spitfires later variants.

[@neild3074]

@@devinthierault @Josh Jack You are both correct, all the Spitefuls built had the Sea Fury 5 blade prop but material I have read tells that this was an interim development stage and the intent was to use the still under development contra prop system.

[@Imustfly]

PM is one of my favorite aircraft,...and OH the UNIQUE wail of that Griffon and contra-rotating props. AWESOMENESS on display.

[@tedmalley7636]

Precious Metal Is the most beautiful aircraft .those counter-rotating props are incredible.

[@skypilot49]

The sound of the P-51 just gives me goosebumps!

[@joshlewis5065]

That's not the original motor

[@skypilot49]

@@joshlewis5065 the propulsion of the P-51 is not a motor, it's an engine.

[@joshlewis5065]

@@skypilot49 pedantic bastard

[@emersoncaicedo3146]

@@skypilot49that’s not the original engine. It’s a rolls Royce Griffon, not a packard Merlin

[@rccarsandmusic2641]

A real feat of engineering to see a 76 year old plane design still flying and viable in 2017.

[@userthor7386]

I have seen this video numerous times now. And the sound when this plane passes by gives me goosebumps - absolutely spectacular. Thank you for keeping these mashines going :-)

[@americanveteran2643]

the left to right to left to right head movement to stay aligned to runway for departure and landing...a work of art and patience

[@alishanmao]

That aircraft moves :) what a beautiful machine.

[@belknapdlg26]

Reminds me of the old Red Baron Flying Service P-51 that crashed with Steve Hinton at the controls, in 1979 at Reno. When we saw the fireball we figured he was a dead man. But he survived with a broken back, leg and ankle. they said his cockpit was almost a mile from the main wreckage.

[@jaimehudson7623]

In 1978 I saw the Red Baron P-51 in the Unlimited Race from one of the turn pylons. Amazing speed!

[@willyschmitt5665]

The red Baron plane was owned by the Browning family in Idaho falls, Idaho. They eventually went broke for all their big spending.

[@robsteries]

This sound is one of my most favorite sounds in life!

[@wss2191]

Rolls Royce make amazing engines that's for sure

[@johndavid5618]

"Jip." They dont make anymore. ♥️💪💪💪😃

[@45631063]

Fantastic, very nice color of the fuselage of the Precious Metul plane! Great takeoff then laps or tracks, maneuvering speed super video !! your demonstration was awesome, 440,383 MPH and second pass 438,032 MPH, congratulations the pilote to all who participated in this video. Thank you.

[@larryhaugness6979]

I was on the old Red Baron team and there is nothing like the sound of the Griffon!

[@kolbola]

The back propeller has smaller diameter than the front one has. The blades seems to be a Rotol type, but it is different. The contra porp Griffon engined Spitfire has same prop diameters, cutted blade tips, the Shackleton also has similar contra-rotating props, so this one could be camde from the FR-47 Seafire.

[@Voodoo1650]

kolbola This particular engine was originally from a Shackleton, then it went to the Miss Budweiser sponsored hydroplane racing team from the 80’s. The prop was a stock unit that the team had custom cut to have the scalloped tips.

[@kolbola]

@@Voodoo1650 Thank you for the clarification!

[@SJ-nu5cf]

Beautiful! I had one take off right over me..i was at the end of the runway. So cool! Amazing sound and power!

[@slavasandsglam]

This is a real beast! Beautiful and fast. How great would be to have closer view of this miracle! Thanks

[@epodu34]

Double prop !!!! This speed, it's crazy !!!! 440 mph ?!?!? Wooaaaaaah !!!! 😳😳😳. I'm fan !!! 😍😍😍

[@neilparnell5712]

More crazy is that the RAF had a twin engine bomber (De Havilland Mosquito Mk B35 apparently, with Merlin 77 engines) in 1942 that achieved 437 mph with and could cruise faster than a P51 all the way to Berlin and back. Pity there's none in airworthy condition or any P38 Lightnings to compete if there is a class ?

[@lightning3641]

Wow! What a beautiful airplane and the performance is amazing. And also, Those 2 propellers spinning real fast looks kind of intimidating to me and the sound of the plane starting up also intimidating.

[@1339LARS]

Counter rotaing props on a mustang ??? Please fill me in !

[@nagmagnet]

***** Precious Metal uses a larger-displacement Rolls Griffon engine, like the later marques of the Spitfire. If I remember correctly, the engine and contrarotating props are from a postwar British airliner.

[@1339LARS]

Thanks, I was worried there for a bit !

[@BlackBunik]

nagmagnet I think the same prop was used on the later naval version of Spitfire.

[@redpony72]

BlackBunik No but it was used on the Russain bear

[@Voodoo1650]

BlackBunik These particular blades came from an Avro Shackleton bomber and then were modified by the team, but you are correct the later Mk. Spitfires did use this setup, the Mk.47 being one of them, Supernarine also used this setup on one of their last piston fighters as well (Supermarine Seafang).

[@eb49273]

The P-51 is the scariest prop plane ever made. It's just a beast.

[@luksthunder]

Not even close of the Fw 190 D models

[@sergiymarchenko1002]

Awesome plane... That doubled propeller looks absolutely CRAZY...

[@Southwest_923WR]

"DOUBLED PROPELLER"!🤣👍🏿

[@Flightstar]

Must be nice not having to stomp heavily on the rudder when the power is applied .

[@hifives2]

be a dream to take off - gun it and go!

[@guntherachterhof4876]

I was going to say. Especially during takeoff.

[@stitch2k1]

From my understanding, gyroscopic procession and P-factor would still affect it, just torque would not be as much of an issue. Still needs more right rudder.

[@guntherachterhof4876]

@@stitch2k1 Of course, but significantly less than the one you fly with a standard prop (if I assume correctly).

[@stitch2k1]

@@guntherachterhof4876 Oh yeah definitely. You can't full throttle a (stock) P-51 on take off from the go or you'd go off the runway. (Generally speaking we always ease power on, because more air speed means better rudder authority)

[@craigpennington1251]

That's one fast Mustang. It sure sounds incredible and the paint job is super.

[@fredtedstedman]

You're gonna need BIGGER wheel chocks !! achingly beautiful aeroplane . Wales UK.

[@flyinbryanfpv]

Counterrotating props on a P51... that's pretty wild... and the sound is very interesting. thumbs up

[@markblackman2542]

Bloody brilliant , your so lucky in the USA to have these aircraft flying and keep them flying in perfect harmony UK fan

[@lw216316]

listen to her purr....best music I've heard on a video in a while. I flew my P51 so much I finally wore it out. So a friend of mine gave me his P51 - said he was not flying it much anymore....had moved on to jets. No, not the full scale.....an RC plane.

[@torkdork69]

I love the carbon clean out, lean out procedure to taxi parking cool down. What an amazing creature. 😍

[@Stromzilla]

That was awesome! Well done and thank you for sharing.

[@vintagestrings6]

It doesn't get any better than watching Mustangs and the old World War II Birds flying and listening to their engine.

[@dylansedgwick2932]

Really nice to see this old warbird turned into a speed machine.

[@WeeWillyII]

I was at the 1999 Air races when Miss Ashley II crashed on Saturday. She was a beautiful aircraft which was highly modified with Contra-rotating props and a Griffon engine. She had learjet wings. Cause of crash was the rear stabilizer (somewhat similar to the Ghost crash) came off and torque tore off the wings and the fuselage landed on an unoccupied Winnebago in an eastern community. Pilot never stood a chance.

[@jrdc6603]

Is a very fine piece of technology with the modifications involved in the desing, but i prefer an original P-51D fighter plane, even today. She was a fantastic aircraft, with the Packard-Merlin engine and her frame line original, sorry my bad english, and greetings from Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina.

[@towmlvb3423]

Your English is fine, your courtesy is appreciated

[@bristleconepinus2378]

I watched that plane run @ Reno years back, scary beast.

[@the10thleper]

Yep, I thought so. No matter what a bunch of guys do, there's always this one guy. The guy that takes everything to a new level! That guy! In this bunch, this is that guy. Jezzz counter rotating prop on a P-51! Yeah thanks. Damn nice work.

[@deje7086]

The next day an AT6 arrived. 2 seat trainer as some may know. We did hammer stalls and a couple loops, no problem. Such amazing power power

[@okrajoe]

What a truly amazing looking plane.

[@jonnybeck6723]

I'm just a blues guitar player who likes to get me breath taken away by the baddest ass racing plane Reno's ever seen. Thanx for a perfectly done video. ...and cheers

[@wolf222555]

Beautiful ,absolutely beautiful. Love the counter rotating props so no torque problems. I always wondered how the p51d would look if developed further. ( There was a design in the 80's that used small jets to boost speed but it was dropped) .p51 d has always been my " pin up" of ww2 fighters. Poetry in motion. Best regards.

[@brucefelger4015]

Qualifying time is near the current seaplane speed record set in 1935 by an S. M. 72 which also had counter rotating props

[@trevordavies2196]

running rough a little plugs or magneto , great sound great conversion , very intrieging contra -rotate props

[@ISupportIsraelForever]

I absolutely love the sound of Mustangs 😘

[@NearlyNativeNursery]

Beautiful P-51D love the dual prop

[@giselavanzyl7295]

Totally cool machine. 440 mph average. Damn that’s quick !!

[@Crashed131963]

The last production F4 Corsair could hit 440.

[@Stikkzz]

for unlimited, not really

[@unbekannternr.1353]

Going 700+kph is an all time high!

[@Stikkzz]

not really

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Great video, good info that I didn't know and more to the point, Awesome Griffon sound! Thanks.

[@timrainger8908]

Thank you for not adding music.

[@Voodoo1650]

These beautiful birds have the best music of their own, right?!

[@aaronburt845]

Counter rotating props also help to reduce what is known as the "P" effect as well when flying. That is the technical term to when a prop produces so much torque that it will make turning, taxing and taking off with the aircraft harder on one side than the other. As developers started to produce engines that produced more torque, the "P" effect really started to become a hindrance. So much so that you either needed special training in how to counter this effect, or something like a counter-rotating prop. Look at the Russian T-95 "Bear" Extremely powerful turboprops, with counter rotating propellers

[@davidsoom6383]

After about four hours flying I have my own "P" effect that no amount of right rudder will solve. I usually bring an empty oil can, 10/30 would do,

[@benlaskowski357]

Those contra-props give it a distinct sound.

[@marekfabis8575]

I saw P51 in fly! But this modernized P51 with speed 800 km/h! Incredible!!! I must buy it!!

[@pleiku196970]

A beautiful fighter, very interesting with the twin rotation prop’s

[@m.hstudioproductions6642]

I think you're talking about the contra-rotating propellers, those were used on bomber aircraft like the Avro Shackleton.

[@douglasgault5458]

I've watched this plane morph over the years. While attending the Reno Air Races since 1978. We are going to miss the air races up here. They've been discontinued

[@Voodoo1650]

@@douglasgault5458 Yeah, it's sad that that era is over

[@lenyfreeman3807]

Wow, I never knew the P-51 could be configured for a counter rotating duo prop.

[@Catfish4000]

Complete Griffon install from firewall forward, probably from a late Spitfire or similar British plane.

[@Shellcool]

If this thing can do 700kph on the deck, what can it do at Altitude? they had planes with similar power doing 750Kph+ ready for war at alt, this thing is surely lighter due to weapons and radio gear removal/modernisation and more aerodynamic due to cockpit changes?

[@hamishkay3010]

That is an awesome looking and sounding Mustang. I would to visit Reno to see this

[@billwelter4101]

Has an Avro Shackleton RR Gryphon engine and contra-rotating props, just gorgeous

[@GWAYGWAY1]

There is a supply of Griffon engines left from the Avro Shackleton maritime patrol aircraft. most probably came out of one of those.

[@frisos8850]

They used the Shackleton quite long.

[@45631063]

they can take iron bars to push the wheel chocks safety first! thank you very much

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

I was at the races that year. So it wasn't the fastest, but god damn it was one of the best sounding!Just another reason I love living a few miles from the Stead airport, and in such a quiet neighborhood. Except of course in the couple weeks around race time. I don't think anyone minds the extra noise.

[@scottybear6265]

Still making power very impressive 💪 the pilot is pretty good too. Like the color scheme !! 👍

[@indridcold8433]

It has an almost jet-like sound to it when making the qualifying flight.

[@TheEmeraldMenOfficial]

Contraprops are often louder than normal propellor designs, but have better efficiency, zero roll torque, and look cool as heck (obviously the best quality to have as a flashy racing plane, lol)

[@indridcold8433]

@@TheEmeraldMenOfficial I never thought that there would be no torque roll with this system. But it makes perfect sense. I imagine a more powerful engine is needed to drive the propellers. But two counter rotation propellers would always be better with the exception of cost.

[@indridcold8433]

I just remember something about the P51 Mustangs. The radiator provided some jet thrust. It behaved somewhat like a ram jet. Perhaps that may be part of what is being heard.

[@silvertalon007]

That's one heck of a roar it has, that's for sure.

[@indridcold8433]

@@silvertalon007 If this was Mustang revision were around during World War II, the Luftwaffe would have been a joke to the allied forces.

[@thinkcivil1627]

Trying to come out of a high altitude power dive with that monster would be 'interesting'. A beautiful aircraft. Does it have an original Rolls-Royce engine from the period? Note: I read down further and got the answer to the engine question. Until they were fitted with all those horses, it's amazing how the U.S. thought it had limited use. Refitted with the RR, and with the addition of extra tanks for further range, it became the perfect escort fighter for long range bombing runs. One of the top fighters of the war.

[@scottcates]

Stunning aircraft!

[@joevonrembow9074]

Worked on the mustang over five years during my military service Nothing better .. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@kCI251]

A millionaire hobby for sure. Imagine the fuel burn.

[@davecrupel2817]

Not only a higher liter engine, but a considerably heavier load.

[@danielebrparish4271]

A long time ago I read that an original P-51 sold for a million. I would think that this "hobby" is more like NASCAR or F1 with sponsors and shareholders. I don't know what the prize money would be for an air race such as the ones in Reno but I'd guess it helps defray some of the operating and maintenance costs.

[@planegaper]

plus I believe they run ethanol injection, and most likely other goodies ( nitrous oxide allowed at reno?), so the fluid consumption all together must be prohibitive.. then again she's not made to fly cross country lol.. bet the boys back in ww2 would have loved one of these for recon runs over Germany back in 45' wonder how she's fare against a Dora 190, probably show it a clean set of heals lol..

[@WalrusWinking]

If you think flying is just a millionare hobby then you'll never be one.

[@Jobanivrodnachui]

@@WalrusWinking Flying a Mustang is a millionair hobby

[@kingofbeers5673]

Even radically modified, the p-51 is the most beautiful airplane ever made. Side note: did the counter rotating props increase the top speed at low altitude? And were they variable pitch?

[@scubajeeper1]

What a beautiful masterpiece!

[@davids11131113]

That prop setup is sick!

[@x1pyroveride]

I like the counter rotaing props, imo it makes aircraft unique. its prob why i like the Tu-95 and the Ka-52

[@spleensthecat8776]

Contra.

[@bravofoxable]

Griffon engine and contra-rotating prop, what more can a man want? This, imo, is the perfect P51

[@sammygarcia4924]

It's a beautiful plane,sounds awesome...😎

[@niblack11]

beautiful plane, it would be awesome if there was video footage from inside the aircraft as well

[@PyroThunder]

That’s one sweet looking machine!

[@tonywhite425]

that p51 has a great sound you gotta love it

[@Platyfurmany]

Damn! Contra-rotating propellers? I have to wonder, aside from maintenance issues, how this would have affected the original P--51s performance in wartime use? It must be a wonderful feeling not to have to worry about how all that torque would affect your flight dynamics.

[@therealbadbob2201]

They built one at Wright Paterson AFB during WWII. Just one... they had insurmountable issues with the prop gearbox. Technology was not quite there yet. My uncle was an engineer there at the time.

[@richardoakley8800]

The p 51 was an ok aircraft but the engine was ok.. but she needed more. So the raf sent over a few Merlin engines.. and the rest...well

[@Platyfurmany]

@@richardoakley8800, You nailed the primary reason the P-51 became the legendary fighter it was. The Allison V1710 engine that equipped the P-40 was not adequate for high-altitude work where the bombers they were supposed to escort flew. When one of the test pilots for Rolls Royce strongly suggested that their Merlin engines would be much superior, he was right. It didn't take long for everyone else to come around to his point of view. The Merlin was a heavier engine than the V1710. So to maintain the proper center-of-gravity, North American engineers added a large additional fuel tank behind the pilot, greatly increasing the Mustang's range on internal fuel. Throw on some drop-tanks and the Allies found the long-range fighter they had been looking for! The Roll Royce Merlin was, as Jay Leno put it in his video on the Merlin (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYrGfJeBbM2ge9E), "The engine that won World War II."

[@RevengeAvenger]

That canopy looks sleek yet tiny.

[@Dryootube]

That the Rolls Royce griffon isn't it?

[@Ccs4646]

Dryootube P-51s had Merlin engines.

[@gordonatkinson3396]

This isn't a legacy aircraft. it was custom built for racing with P51 parts that were going to a grave yard and it indeed does have a griffon in it.

[@tonskulus]

Yes, sounds indeed more like griffon V12. And there were actually griffons with contra rotating propellers.

[@James_Hough]

Yes it is.

[@hifives2]

Royal navy Seafire engine

[@flynnjones2008]

Love the sound, got my headphones cranked, totally

[@LanceWinslow]

Wow, what a beautiful and magnificent aircraft.

[@watertakken]

wow double propellers. Amazing to see it fly 400 mph

[@killingfields1424]

Griffon with Coaxial props...amazing

[@trumpingtonfanhurst694]

All racing is pushing the envelope, what is/are the limiting factor(s) here? Is it turning the plane as fast as you can without it breaking? Is it g-force limit? Is it having the most powerful engine? Best aerodynamics?

[@Fightre_Flighte]

I love precious metal to death. It's my favourite Mustang, and the only in the world with contra-rotational props.

[@partriarch]

I maxed my audio volume to listen to this magnificent bird whir past. Outstanding!

[@jdock694]

Beautiful plane!

[@jeffreyclement2726]

Saw the voodoo p-51 pass over the house and thought it was fighter jet and called the tower at millington tn .Told them you got a P-51 heading your way at 550 mph!

[@steveststst2968]

Interesting. The Italian seaplane with floats, the Macchi Castoldi MC72 set a record of 440 in the 30's. Had contra rotating props. But that was in a straight line. Wonder how much speed it costs to go in a circuit. Anyone know?

[@ExBRBuckeyemanCJB]

Quite a bit, maybe 20%.

[@deje7086]

I am very proud to to say I flew a p51 in fort myers Florida for an hour. It wasn't cheap but I would love to do it again.

[@Voodoo1650]

They are very fun to get a flight in! Ive been fortunate to get rides in a Mustang, a Sea Fury, and my favorite, especially for its rarity, the F7F-3p Tigercat.