DCS WORLD · Trainer

TF-51D Mustang Startup Checklist

TF-51D Mustang Startup Notes

The TF-51D is the full-fidelity P-51D with the gunsight and weapon switches removed, so the start is identical: work from your left elbow across the cockpit. Flap handle up, carburetor ram air to RAM AIR and hot air to NORMAL, mixture to IDLE CUT-OFF, prop full forward, throttle cracked about an inch, then fuel booster on, fuel shut-off valve on, ignition BOTH, battery and generator on. Prime for 3-4 seconds cold (about 1 second warm), raise the starter cover and hold the starter switch up until the engine is turning over, then move the mixture to RUN as it fires. Watch oil pressure - 50 PSI within 30 seconds or shut it down.

Two trainer-specific things to remember. First, the fuselage tank is deleted for the second cockpit, so you have only the two 92-gallon wing tanks: plan fuel accordingly and enjoy the friendlier center of gravity. Second, the Merlin needs hands-on temperature care - open the coolant radiator fully before the takeoff roll and again after landing, and avoid idling below 1,000 RPM on the ground. The starter motor overheats quickly: never exceed four 20-second bursts without a 5-minute cool-down.

Common mistakes

Cranking with the mixture still in IDLE CUT-OFF so the engine never fires
Holding the starter for long bursts without the 5-minute cool-down
Leaving the coolant radiator on AUTOMATIC on the ground and overheating

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Bill Larkins / Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 2.0

TrainerWWII

AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The TF-51D is the two-seat, dual-control trainer conversion of the P-51D Mustang. Conversions began late in World War II, with the armament removed and a second cockpit installed behind the pilot in place of the fuselage fuel tank and radio compartment, covered by an elongated canopy. The type gave the USAAF a conversion trainer for the Mustang and remained in USAF service into the early 1950s; many surplus TF-51Ds later became prized civilian warbirds and air racing machines. In DCS World the TF-51D is the free, fully clickable warbird included with the base simulator.

Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturer: North American
first Flight: 1944 (TF-51D conversion)
role: Conversion trainer / proficiency trainer
crew: 2 (pilot + instructor, dual controls)
engines: 1x Packard V-1650-7 Merlin (1,590 hp)
max Speed: 703 km/h (437 mph)
range: ~1,300 km (800 miles) internal
ceiling: 41,900 ft
weight: ~5,200 kg (MTOW)

Sources: North American P-51 Mustang variants - Wikipedia, Chuck's Guide - DCS P-51D Mustang (covers the TF-51D), P-51D Mustang - National Museum of the USAF

FLIGHT2.17.0Checklist

TF-51D MustangDCS WORLD · Startup Checklist · 110 steps · 17 phases

DATE PILOT TAIL

PHS 1 - Pre-Flight Planning7 steps

	01	Mission BriefREVIEWEDNOTE: Review route, altitudes, and aerobatic practice area. The TF-51D is unarmed - training, ferry, and aerobatic flights only.
	02	Weather BriefingREVIEWEDNOTE: Check en-route weather. No de-ice - avoid icing conditions.
	03	NOTAMs / AirspaceREVIEWED
	04	Fuel PlanningSETNOTE: Internal fuel 184 US gal in two wing tanks. The fuselage tank is deleted to make room for the second cockpit; no drop tanks carried.
	05	Rear Seat OccupantBRIEFEDNOTE: Brief the rear cockpit occupant. The rear seat has full dual controls - agree who flies which leg.
	06	Radio FrequenciesSET
	07	Divert BasesIDENTIFIED

PHS 2 - Cockpit Preparation5 steps

	01	Seat HarnessFASTENED TIGHT
	02	Rear CockpitSECUREDNOTE: Secure loose items in the rear cockpit. Stow the rear harness if the seat is empty.
	03	Oxygen SystemON - CHECK FLOW AND QUANTITYNOTE: Oxygen essential above 10,000 ft.
	04	CanopiesCLOSED AND LOCKED (BOTH)NOTE: The TF-51D has separate front and rear canopies - check both.
	05	Flap HandleUP

PHS 3 - Electrical Power4 steps

	01	Battery SwitchON
	02	Ignition SwitchBOTH (confirm both mags)
	03	Generator SwitchONNOTE: Right-hand electrical panel. Ammeter shows charge once the engine is running.
	04	InstrumentsCHECK - ALTIMETER, AIRSPEED, FUEL QUANTITY

PHS 4 - Engine Start14 steps

	01	Carburetor Ram Air ControlRAM AIR (full forward)
	02	Carburetor Hot Air ControlNORMAL (full forward)
	03	MixtureIDLE CUT-OFF
	04	Propeller ControlFULL FORWARD (fine pitch - max RPM)
	05	ThrottleAPPROX 1 INCH OPEN
	06	Fuel Shut-Off ValveON (main tank)
	07	Fuel Booster PumpON
	08	Primer3-4 SECONDS (COLD ENGINE)NOTE: About 1 second for a warm engine. Primer back OFF after priming.
	09	Starter Switch CoverRAISED
	10	Starter SwitchHOLD UP - ENGINE TURNING OVERWARNING: Starter overheats: maximum four 20-second bursts, then 5 minutes cooling.
	11	MixtureRUN AS ENGINE FIRESNOTE: Advance mixture when the engine begins firing.
	12	Oil PressureRISING - MINIMUM 50 PSI WITHIN 30 SECWARNING: If oil pressure does not rise within 30 seconds - shut down immediately.
	13	Engine Idle RPM1,000-1,200 RPMNOTE: Allow the Merlin V-1650 to warm up at idle. Avoid idling below 1,000 RPM on the ground.
	14	Engine Ground RunningWARM UP UNTIL OIL TEMP 40 C / COOLANT 60 C

PHS 5 - Post-Start / Avionics10 steps

	01	Oil Temperature40 C MINIMUM BEFORE TAXI
	02	Coolant Temperature60 C MINIMUM BEFORE TAKEOFF
	03	Fuel Pressure5-6 PSI
	04	Gyro InstrumentsCAGED THEN ERECTED
	05	Gunsight / ArmamentNOT FITTEDNOTE: The TF-51D has no K-14 gunsight and no gun or bomb switches - the trainer is unarmed.
	06	Radio (SCR-522 VHF)ON - SET FREQUENCY
	07	Radio Aids (Detrola / Homing)AS REQUIRED
	08	AltimeterSET QNH
	09	TrimSET RUDDER 6 DEG RIGHT, ELEVATOR NEUTRAL
	10	MagnetosCHECK (single mag check - note RPM drop < 100 RPM)

PHS 6 - Rear Cockpit Check3 steps

	01	Rear Cockpit InstrumentsCHECK - AIRSPEED, ALTIMETER, COMPASSNOTE: The rear cockpit carries basic flight instruments only.
	02	Rear Cockpit ControlsFULL AND FREENOTE: Dual controls - confirm the rear stick and pedals are not obstructed.
	03	Control HandoverBRIEFEDNOTE: Agree handover signals. The rear occupant can fly the aircraft from the second cockpit.

PHS 7 - Before Taxi5 steps

	01	Oil Temperature40 C MINIMUM
	02	Coolant Temperature60 C MINIMUM
	03	Flight ControlsFULL TRAVEL - FREE AND CORRECT
	04	FlapsUP FOR TAKEOFF
	05	Parking BrakeSET

PHS 8 - Taxi5 steps

	01	Parking BrakeRELEASE
	02	ThrottleADVANCE TO BREAK FREE
	03	S-TURNSUSE TO CHECK AHEAD - NO FORWARD VISIBILITYNOTE: Mustang has poor forward visibility over the nose - s-turn while taxiing.
	04	BrakesCHECK BOTH SIDESNOTE: Differential toe brakes on the rudder pedals.
	05	Taxi Speed< 10 KTS

PHS 9 - Before Takeoff9 steps

	01	PropellerFULL FORWARD (3,000 RPM MAX)
	02	MixtureRUN (RICH FOR TAKEOFF)
	03	Coolant RadiatorOPEN FOR TAKEOFFNOTE: Open fully before the takeoff roll to prevent overheating; back to AUTOMATIC once airborne.
	04	Oil RadiatorAUTOMATIC
	05	Oil Temperature40 C MINIMUM
	06	Coolant Temperature60 C MIN / 100 C MAX DURING TAKEOFF
	07	Magneto CheckBOTH MAGS - CHECK RPM DROP < 100 RPM
	08	Trim TabsSET - RUDDER 6 DEG RIGHT, ELEVATOR NEUTRAL
	09	CanopiesLOCKED CLOSED (BOTH)

PHS 10 - Takeoff6 steps

	01	ThrottleADVANCE SMOOTHLY TO 61 IN HG / 3,000 RPMNOTE: War emergency power (75 IN HG) is available past the wire if needed.
	02	Right RudderAPPLY TO COUNTER TORQUE AND P-FACTORNOTE: Merlin torque pulls left strongly on takeoff - significant right rudder required.
	03	Rotation Speed~120-130 MPH (105-115 KTS)
	04	RotateRAISE TAIL, LIFT OFF GENTLY
	05	GearUP AFTER POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB
	06	Power Reduction46 IN HG / 2,700 RPM CLIMB POWERNOTE: When reducing power, manifold pressure first, then RPM. When increasing, RPM first, then manifold pressure.

PHS 11 - After Takeoff / Climb7 steps

	01	GearUP AND LOCKED
	02	FlapsUP
	03	Coolant RadiatorAUTOMATIC
	04	Climb Power46 IN HG / 2,700 RPM
	05	Climb Speed160-165 MPH IAS (140-145 KTS)
	06	SuperchargerAUTO / HIGH BLOWER ABOVE CRITICAL ALTITUDE
	07	Fuel SelectorSWITCH WING TANKS AS REQUIREDNOTE: Wing tanks only - the fuselage tank is deleted for the second cockpit.

PHS 12 - Cruise5 steps

	01	Cruise Power42-43 IN HG / 2,400 RPM
	02	Cruise Speed360-380 MPH TAS AT ALTITUDE
	03	Fuel StateMONITOR - BALANCE WING TANKS
	04	MixtureAUTO LEAN FOR FUEL ECONOMY
	05	Oil and CoolantMONITOR TEMPERATURES

PHS 13 - Aerobatics4 steps

	01	Practice AreaCHECK CLEAR OF TRAFFIC
	02	PowerMAX CONTINUOUS 46 IN HG / 2,700 RPMCAUTION: War emergency power 75 IN HG / 3,000 RPM is limited to 5 minutes - engine damage beyond that.
	03	G Limits+8.0 / -4.0 GCAUTION: Avoid sustained negative G - fuel and oil starvation will cut the engine.
	04	Entry SpeedsROLLS ~300 MPH, LOOPS 350-400 MPHNOTE: The lighter unarmed airframe is lively - watch airspeed in vertical maneuvers.

PHS 14 - Descent / Approach5 steps

	01	AltimeterSET QNH
	02	MixtureRICH BELOW 5,000 FT
	03	Fuel SelectorFULLEST WING TANK
	04	RadiatorsAUTOMATIC
	05	SpeedREDUCE TO 150-160 MPH (130-140 KTS)

PHS 15 - Landing9 steps

	01	GearDOWN - INDICATOR GREENCAUTION: Gear limit 190 MPH.
	02	FlapsDOWN BELOW 170 MPH
	03	PropellerFULL FORWARD
	04	MixtureRICH
	05	Approach Speed120-130 MPH (105-115 KTS)
	06	Threshold Speed110-115 MPH
	07	TouchdownTHREE-POINT ATTITUDE OR WHEEL LANDING
	08	Throttle at TouchdownIDLE
	09	BrakesAPPLY CAREFULLY - GROUND LOOP RISKCAUTION: Tail-wheel aircraft prone to ground loops. Use brakes gently and keep straight.

PHS 16 - After Landing3 steps

	01	FlapsUP
	02	Coolant RadiatorOPEN FOR TAXINOTE: Keep the coolant radiator open on the ground to avoid overheating.
	03	TrimNEUTRAL

PHS 17 - Shutdown9 steps

	01	Parking BrakeSET
	02	ThrottleIDLE - ALLOW COOLING (1-2 MIN)
	03	MixtureIDLE CUT-OFF TO STOP ENGINE
	04	IgnitionOFF AFTER ENGINE STOPS
	05	Fuel Booster PumpOFF
	06	Fuel Shut-Off ValveOFF
	07	GeneratorOFF
	08	BatteryOFF
	09	CanopiesOPEN (BOTH)