Engine Failure without obvious reason (Video Available)

[Limaro]

Hi,

I am currenlty very confused. I flew the P51 very gently, started an attack of a ship, and right after the attack my engine failed. I dont see a reason for that. Maybe some Veterans here can help me out. I made a video of the whole situation also showing the whole cockpit switches.

- I verified that I was not hit by external view and TacView
- I was to high to get hit by the bombs.

PS: Thanks to ED, that Track-Files work so reliably now

 

[razo+r]

Based on the video, I would say you are overboosting your engine. Too much Manifold Pressure and too little RPM.

Does the debriefing specify anything about the damage your engine took, or is it a simple generic entry like "engine failed" or something?

Edited February 4 by razo+r

[Theodore42]

Ya I also think the MP was too high with RPMs too low.

2200 RPMs at 50MP, when the engine blew, is gonna break something. But at the beginning of the clip, 2800 RPM at 50 MP, should run fine.

Keep the engine set to "maximum continuous power" which is 2700 RPMs at 46MP and then don't mess with it until you need military power, which is 3000 RPMs at Full Throttle.

The DCS manual has this info on page 32. But you can dl the irl manual and in the back it has a bunch of charts for engine settings. Search the internet for "North American P-51 Mustang Pilot Training Manual" and it should come up. The charts are for fuel consumption when planning a mission but it has a bunch of safe combinations of RPM and MP if you want to get a feel for how to run your engine at different RPMs and MPs. Those charts have also been posted on these forums if you want to search here. Asking about engine settings always brings out the nerds.

I notice that your rudder isn't completely trimmed. The P-51 is VERY sensitive to rudder trim, so focus on that instead of worrying about throttle settings. If you are accelerating or decelerating in the Mustang then you are also going to need to be trimming the rudder. I don't know of any other aircraft like that and it affects the Mustang's speed a lot.

[grafspee]

Based on my experience in this forum if someone say "gentle flying" it actually means completely opposite. 

Dictionary for WW2 forum part

Gentle flying: that means that individual is abusing engine way beyound operating limits. Engine failure is imminent.

 

 

[grafspee]

On 2/5/2025 at 2:48 AM, Theodore42 said:

P-51 is VERY sensitive to rudder trim, so focus on that instead of worrying about throttle settings. If you are accelerating or decelerating in the Mustang then you are also going to need to be trimming the rudder. I don't know of any other aircraft like that and it affects the Mustang's speed a lot.

Mustang has installed angle of incidence in vertical stabiliser to counter p factor. It has adverse effects at very high speeds.

Edited March 18 by grafspee

[Limaro]

Thanks for your feedback @razo+r and @Theodore42. I Managed to reproduce it, It's related with the pressure and RPM. Even though it's not happening often, I now know what to do better

[Reflected]

Never use more than 46" of MP at 2700 RPM. If you want to apply more power, increase the RPM first.

[BuzzU]

Take a look at this video if you want to learn how to do everything right in the Mustang.

 

 

 

Edited March 14 by BuzzU