North American F-6K Mustang
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Nearly 500 P-51 Mustangs were built or converted to perform the tactical reconnaissance role under the F-6 designation. The F-6A was the first version of the Mustang to see active service with the USAAF, flying its first missions from Tunisia with the 154th Observation Squadron in April 1943. The RAF also used a number of their Mustangs at photographic reconnaissance aircraft.
The majority of F-6s carried two K-24 cameras, in two different configurations. In version of the F-6 based on the P-51 to P-51C, an oblique camera was placed in the back of the cockpit, with another vertical camera placed in the fuselage behind the radiator.
In the F-6D and F-6K, based on the bubble canopied P-51D and P-51K, the oblique camera also had to be placed in the rear fuselage, being placed just above the vertical camera.
Most published accounts give the following production figures for the F-6.
Designation |
Based On |
Number Produced |
F-6A |
P-51 |
55 |
F-6B |
P-51A |
35 |
F-6C-NA |
P-51B |
71 |
F-6C-NT |
P-51C |
20 |
F-6D |
P-51D-NT |
136* |
F-6K |
P-51K |
164 |
However these are probably too low. Robert Bourlier, who has been looking through the production cards, has found significantly higher figures:
An NAA publication 'Summary of Changes' for the P-51 lists 146 serial numbers for the F-6D-10-NA and F-6D-15-NA.
The cards have produced similar figures:
One prototype XF-6D from a P-51D-5-NA
99 P-51D-10-NA converted to F-6D-10-NA and
47 P-51D-15-NA converted to F-6D-15-NA for a total of 147 F-6Ds from these blocks
5 F-6D-20 -NA for the Swiss, 12 F-6D-20-NA and 6 F-6D-25NA for the Frnch, for a total fo 170 F-6D so far.
68 P-51C-10-NT converted to the F-6C-10-NT and 159 P-51C noted as being converted to the photo recon version in some way.
Many thanks to Robert for sharing the results of his work