Dallas Canopy

[paulbinet]

Hi all!
I'd like to suggest adding a little patch to the present A2A Mustangs (civil and military) to include an option for a Dallas canopy. This more bulged canopy provides a new look I personally prefer to the usual one.
The story of the "Dallas canopy" is a mistery for me, and I'd be happy if anyone can add some clues about its story and the origin of the nickname.
Its new shape was clearly designed to convey a more roomy environment for the pilot and at the same time, providing an even better view to the already excellent normal "D" version canopy, causing in return, some extra drag.
I know P-51s A, B and C used to be quite uncomfortable for long travels since (mainly tall pilots) had a hard task for trying to see the runway during landings or chasing an enemy plane. The "D" version improved some space over the pilot's head, but it seems (seeing in-flight shots) that it was still a little narrow. So, Dallas canopy includes a better head-canopy top distance. specially when a metallic helmet was used (after Korean war).
I hope Scott Gentile or Mihail Puto may take this idea and surprise us all with this new fashion for an eternal classic!
PAUL

[CodyValkyrie]

I don't recall the EXACT history, but it was named the Dallas canopy because that's where it was produced. Later in the war, to keep up with demand, they opened a plant in Dallas. The original plant was Inglewood, CA.

[renaissanceman]

IIRC, the P -51Cs were manufactured in Dallas, the Bs in Inglewood and the Ds in both.

I believe Cody is correct that the D model 'Dallas' canopy was used in the Dallas plant.

Hopefully Bomber 12th will chime in with some specifics......not to put you on the spot Bomber...

Jim

[Bomber_12th]

There were a number of variations of the D/K canopy, both in Inglewood production and Dallas production.

The first (Inglewood/California) P-51D canopy was formed from a mold, and had flat sides, and the tallest portion of the canopy was right in the middle. These were only fitted to the P-51D-5-NA. NAA referred to this canopy as the "-2".

By the end of D-5 production, and into D-10 (and Dallas) production, the canopies were free-blown, which provided the 'bulging' along the sides of the canopy, so that pilots could lean out a bit to see more around them. This next evolution also put the tallest portion of the canopy right above the pilot's head. NAA referred to this canopy as the "-6".

The Dallas factory had their own sub-contractor to make the canopies for their D's and K's, which performed the free-blowing process a bit differently than the sub-contractor for the Inglewood plant - this resulted in the different profiles of the same "-6" canopy design between the Dallas/Texas manufacturer and the Inglewood/California manufacturer. Differences in production methods over time also resulted in some slightly different canopy profiles throughout California and Texas production.


Here is a general run-down:

These photos show the Inglewood "-2" canopy - as only fitted to (the majority of) P-51D-5-NA's - this molded canopy featured flat sides and the tallest portion was in the middle of the canopy (behind the pilot):






The first form of the Inglewood "-6" canopy - as fitted to the last several P-51D-5-NA's, P-51D-10-NA's, and at least some P-51D-15-NA's - free-blown, with bulged sides and the tallest portion over the pilot - very little to no bulging at the rear of the canopy (some Dallas-produced canopies were very similar to this one):




Both of the above types can be seen in contrast in this photo:




The later form of the Inglewood "-6" canopy, as used on mid-late Inglewood P-51D production (not so much height in the upper forward bulge of the canopy, and a bit more bulging at the back of the canopy):






The "Dallas canopies" weren't all created equal either. The "prototypical" Dallas canopy is like the one seen immediately below, but it too was just one of a number of variations of the Inglewood "-6" canopy as produced by the Dallas sub-contractor (the more well known Dallas-produced canopy form was one that generally had a flatter/straighter back line):




This was another of the Dallas produced canopies (note how much larger it is in the rear section).








Other Dallas canopies:












Furthermore, the canopies fitted to CAC manufactured Mustangs also followed the similar form of the Dallas canopies:

[Bomber_12th]

And yes, the Dallas factory was used to produce P-51C's (identical to the Inglewood P-51B's), and P-51D's (identical to the Inglewood D's). Furthermore, the Dallas factory was the only one to produce the P-51K, which was simply specific production blocks, interspersed between P-51D production blocks, in which airframes, identical to D-model production, were mounted with Aeroproducts propellers and different nose cones designed to mount them - due to P-51 production out-pacing that of the Hamilton Standard propeller production/supply.

The NAA Dallas factory was actually in operation from from at least 1942, producing not only Mustangs, but also AT-6's/SNJ's/Harvard's, and B-24's (built under license from Consolidated). Between 1942 and 1945, the NAA Dallas plant rolled-out more than 18,000 aircraft.

[paulbinet]

Oh, yes... One never ends learning!
Thanks a lot guys for your unselfish contribution. I reallly appreciate it.
I still hope to wake up one morning, go to my A2A warbird and finding one of those bulged canopies into my maintenance hangar!
Paul