Image: A T-51 Mustang at an airshow in New Zealand

The Titan T-51 Mustang is a three-quarter size replica of the P-51 Mustang. It is a two-seat homebuilt aircraft with dual controls and tandem seats, and has remarkable performance given the small size of the engine.

T-51 kitsets are fabricated by Titan Aircraft Company at South Austinburg, Ohio in the United States and are being assembled and flown in several countries where they are popular with pilots and particularly with spectators at airshows. The aircraft has a wide range of handling abilities, from a stall speed of only 39 mph (63 km/h) to high performance up to 190 mph (310 km/h) and agility afforded by a +6g / -4g load limit capability.

Titan has a long history with building a variety of aircraft to be flown under ultralight regulations, now including the FAA Light-sport Aircraft category. Pilots choose whether they want to buy a kitset which is fully complete and ready to assemble or a basic kitset to which they add their own choices of propellers, engines, and instruments. Two versions are available: the homebuilt with retractable gear which must be flown by pilots with retractable gear experience and the amateur built fixed-landing-gear version which qualifies for the 1,200 lb (540 kg) and under weight category in New Zealand and Australia and can be flown by a sport pilot in the US.

The most frequently applied powerplant is the Rotax 912ULS/3, which produces 100 hp (75 kW), but the Rotax 914 UL3, which produces 115 hp (86 kW), is also fitted by owners wanting even higher performance. Some builders also consider Mazda Rotary engines due to their power-to-weight ratios and their dependability. The current engine of choice for the T-51 is the Suzuki H engine, specifically the H25A 2.5L V6, which generates 141 hp (105 kW).

The construction-to-flying time for the T-51 is about 600 hours, and jigs or complicated tools are not required.

Specifications, T-51 Mustang

(Powered by Rotax 912ULS/3)

Type
- low wing monoplane
- single propeller
- controllable four-blade propeller
- crew, two in tandem

Dimensions
- length= 23 ft 6 in (7.2 m)
- wingspan= 24 ft (7.3 m)
- height= 9 ft 2 in (2.8 m)
- wing area= 118 sq ft (11.0 m2)
- empty weight= 850 lb (390 kg)
- loaded weight= 1,450 lb (660 kg)

Powerplant
- engine= Rotax 912ULS/3
- type= 4 cyl, 4 stroke
- power= 100 hp (75 kW)

Performance
- cruise speed= 150 mph (240 km/h)
- max speed= 190 mph (310 km/h)
- never exceed speed= 197 mph (317 km/h)
- stall speed= 39 mph (63 km/h)
- range= 600 mi (970 km) with reserve
- ceiling= 16,000 ft (4,900 m)
- climb rate=1200 ft/min
- takeoff run= 300 ft (91 m)
- landing roll= 300 ft (91 m)

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia