P-51D Mustang 'Cadillac of the Skies Series' Part 1: Restored for FSX

For many flight simulation fans, the joy of being able to hope into some of the more old-school aircraft from over the years is one of the most enjoyable features. After all, we’ve all sat on a plane and enjoyed the modern experience, but what about back in the day? In this package, you’ll get access to the P-51D Mustang which was one of the later equivalents of this marvelous, iconic aircraft. This is one of the most relatable recreations of the Mustang in many years, bringing it to life in the truest fashion yet.

With stunning realism and unique dynamics included that follow the official specifications and standards of the aircraft, you’ll be able to enjoy the service better than ever. It takes into account all of the most important aspects of the aircraft, and delivers the Cadillac of the Skies to you in all of its glory. For WW2 enthusiasts as well as flight simulation enthusiasts, this might be one of the most enjoyable packages that you will find on our servers. Detailed to bring all of its key dynamics to play, this feels like far more than the typical re-skin.

This package introduces a wealth of extras inside it, too. You’ll be able to take on many of the various versions of the P-51D that are well-known throughout history. In turn, this will help you get access to the most vital equivalents of this rather special aircraft.

The P-51D

The P-51Ds origins, of course, lie in the history of its predecessors. The “P” line of aircraft comes from the beginning of the Curtiss P-40 fighters. The Royal Air Force approached the US to create the P-40 themselves on license, and the Americans offered to go one better and make something even more impressive; thus the “Mustang” range of aircraft was born into existence. The P-51 went through several changes and innovations over the years before the P-41 came into existence, however. By the year 1942, they were now using the famous Merlin engines, and this was to be the birth of what was known as the P-51B and P-51C respectively.

The change to the P-51D was far more subtle, and was brought about by the development and addition of many new features along the way. This made a massive difference to the way that the aircraft was managed; with more than 8,000 built this became one of the flagship variants of the Mustang. With its “bubble top” canopy it became much easier to look out of for the pilots. This improved vision, accuracy and safety in abundance. It also came with an upgraded gun sight in the form of the K-14, as well as an additional two .50 cal machine guns to bring the number up to six. This made it excellent for getting into position and causing damage quickly and with great accuracy, prior to vanishing off back into the skies.

By the spring of 1944, the aircraft was now commonly being used by European as well, becoming the primary escort fighter for the Americans. It also served time as a powerful fighter/bomber, and also was capable of being used as reconnaissance and scouting aircraft. This incredible balance of power and strength made the P-51D one of the most useful aircraft created during the era.

By the end of the war, the P-51D has been involved in destroying more than 4,900 enemy aircraft; more than any other allied fighter in Europe. It also served in the Pacific conflicts, being used as long-range escort and low-level fighters to help take on the imperious Japanese army.

The aircraft was eventually replaced by the P-51H as the “go-to” aircraft due to its greater speed and agility, making it vital for the Korean Wars and beyond. However, the P-51D still served a useful role in coming battles in the East as it was capable of hitting the shorter F-80 jets of the Koreans with relatively little trouble. The “last hoorah” for this particular fighter came towards the end of the 1950s. it was phased out slowly until 1957 when it was replaced by more agile aircraft. Its legacy, however, cannot be understated at all.

In this package, you will be able to see just what all the fuss is about with this aircraft; it comes with all of the features that made it so revered in the first place fully ready to go, for a start. Add in the fact that it feels deceptively quick and still has all of the mobility and power of even some of the more impressive modern aircraft, and you can easily see why the P-51D served as such as consistent and long-term party of the military for so many armies over the many years it was in service for.

What’s Included?

• In this package, you will gain access to seven different versions of the P-51D. Each of those included played a key part in the growth and development of their own units and in the battles that they served in. each version also has a wide variety of differing changes to the cockpit, as well as completely up-to-date examples of what the aircraft would have looked like today. Also, each aircraft comes with fully working modern features, avionics and an improved set of propeller configurations. Some even have rear cockpit modules installed, so that you can get the most authentic rendition of each aircraft possible

• Many models that are included in this package have never been made for FSX before, in any form!

• The aircraft that are included include Happy Jack’s Go Buggy, Upupa Epops, Lil’ Margaret, Fragile but Agile, NACA 127, Ferocious Frankie and Vintage Wings of Canada to give you the maximum exposure and control to the massive range of P-51D Mustang aircraft played a vital role in winning various conflicts

• You’ll also get access to a hugely authentic Packard Merlin sound set, which gives you the booming noise that we all want to hear when flying our favorite aircraft through the skies at breakneck speeds!

Aircraft Included

• Many of the aircraft that are included here have, as mentioned above, never taken on in the past for a flight simulator. For example, the NACA version has been so well-received that it was actually used in a high-speed flying test that looked at he capabilities and performance of many different aircraft, and was also used to help with a Mach Meter. This is one of the very few – arguably the only – P-51D ever to find itself in this position so you’ll be able to notice a real stark difference here!

• Another example is that of the Fragile but Agile P-51D, which was one of the earlier models of the P-51D. The changes in its appearance and style to some of the later models if quite apparent and you will be able to notice some early design changes that were eventually included in the later models. For example, it comes with the rare access panels on the bottom engine cowls which is a fair bit different from other aircraft of this style

• Other models included here are the subject of myth and legend, too, with the likes of Fragile being seen by some as a deeply contentious subject!

• The ‘K’ model included in here, the Fragile model, is the only model included that comes with an authentic Aeroproducts propeller which makes it fly in a massively different manner to the rest of the aircraft included in this package. However, these specific rotors were eventually ditched in favor of the Hamilton, Standard, flat-tipped blades

• Another aircraft included in here is the famous Lil’ Margaret, which is without a doubt one of the one most important of the P-51D range due to its quality in reconnaissance missions. It has a K24 camera attached to the front and this lets you get a shot of the world around you whilst you fly. The aircraft also carries the now iconic mirror finish, and was at one stage the winner of the Grand Champion Warbird award in 1993!

• Underneath the wings, you will find that a range of rocket pylons are noticeable as well!

Key Features

• Stunningly detailed textures that capture everything you could possibly hope for in terms of detail and style – everything has been included just as it would have been in each model. For example, the floor gauges – as per the real thing – are pretty hard to see unless you take a lean forward and look over the edge of your rather bulky seat. This might seem odd compared to modern aircraft, but that’s the way the P-51D was designed!

• Additionally, Hamilton Standard Propellers were modeled and included in the package to create something that fits the bill. Although these were eventually replaced with Aeroproducts types, the attention to detail is absolutely sublime and captures the character and nature of the aircraft absolutely perfectly. Each version has been taken to task perfectly, ensuring that it looks exactly as it should be represented

• Each propeller on each aircraft is made to fit this style, with a really unique look made to fit them and also to fit the overall profile and change within each model. Since each model is more than just a basic repaint and changes the look and feel of the aircraft in some capacity, you will notice various little cosmetic changes throughout that look absolutely brilliant

• The Laminar Flow wing has been modeled to absolute perfection – this follows the accuracy of the rather odd shape of the wings on this form of aircraft, making it feel even more unique!

• Various seat configurations included so that you can get the best view possible when you are flying – it makes a big difference to have this change in there so that you can get the most impressive look on what is coming both to your side and in front of you!

• A massive level of detail has been paid on the flight dynamics of each model so that it flies every bit as accurately as it looks at present. This makes the whole thing come together perfectly as the quality of the flight will match the attention to detail on the models

• This brings everything together perfectly and ensures that you will get all the help that you need in really hitting the mark with your aircraft – with proper flight dynamics bringing the accurate specifications of the planes to the table, everything feels authentic. The look, the style, the cockpit and the features are all representative of what was available with the real thing

• With this aircraft you will be able to see the total difference in the quality of the sound, too. a specific package has been made up to fit the sound of the P-51D perfectly, recorded with a real determination to make sure that every sound is coming from an accurate angle and distance anyway to make a truly enveloping sequence

Our Opinion

It’s our view that this remake of the P-51D is one of the most impressive we have come across. It’s something that we really feel impressed by, and would love to take part in for the future. This really brings everything together in stark contrast, ensuring that you can get that proper experience of what it would have been like to be flying during the Second World War and beyond.

It captures the style and the quality of each aircraft almost perfectly, and makes sure that it has the proper speed, power and performance that the real thing does. When you first takeoff it can take a bit of getting used to, however, as there is quite a lot there to get to grips with in comparison to the modern aircraft! Once you are up in the skies though, it feels untamed; everything is so raw and powerful it can really be a lot of fun to play around in.

If you are a big fan of the WW2 era aircraft, this is a package you must try.