[PGR88]

As the first Super Tucano built in the United States, this plane is one of 20 ordered in the original Air Force contract for $427 million.

The P-51 Mustang cost $50,000 in 1945 dollars, which if you believe Government statistics, is about $650,000 today. According to the specs of each, the top speed of a P-51 is about 465 mph, while this "Super Tacano" is 368 mph.

Why not just build more P-51's and upgrade the avionics????

[Bidimus1]

The Merlin (and all piston engines) are more maintenance intensive

The P&W Turboshaft engine has a 800hour Insepction and 5000 hour TBO (time between overhaul)

Where as the V1650 (Packard built Merlin) has a TBO of 320 hours

There was an attempt to build a Turbo Prob Mustang at one time

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-48_Enforcer

[doorgunner69]

I suspect most pilots would far prefer the turbine engine rather than the old piston V-12. There really is no comparison in reliability.