20170708 (33)_324823_North_American_P51B_Mustang
A fraction of a second later..... I initially (though even that only after the aircraft landed) thought the Malcolm hood blown Perspex canopy had come adrift and struck the tailfin, then disintegrating: the shards can be seen catching the sun above and to the sides of the Mustang. Close scrutiny shows not only an impact mark on the fin (shining silver where the paint has come off) but also one on the right tailplane (stabilator to US readers) and a distortion on the left tailplane. This shows beyond any doubt that the canopy simply disintegrated in place and the bits hit all three rear control surfaces, fortunately without affecting the aircraft's flight.
20170708 (33)_324823_North_American_P51B_Mustang
A fraction of a second later..... I initially (though even that only after the aircraft landed) thought the Malcolm hood blown Perspex canopy had come adrift and struck the tailfin, then disintegrating: the shards can be seen catching the sun above and to the sides of the Mustang. Close scrutiny shows not only an impact mark on the fin (shining silver where the paint has come off) but also one on the right tailplane (stabilator to US readers) and a distortion on the left tailplane. This shows beyond any doubt that the canopy simply disintegrated in place and the bits hit all three rear control surfaces, fortunately without affecting the aircraft's flight.