P-51 Mustang

Considered by many to be the finest piston engined aircraft of World War II, North American Aviation’s P-51 Mustang was originally commissioned by Britain to increase the RAF’s fighter strength. The first batch of 320 planes were used for low-level tactical reconnaissance and ground attack, while later models, upgraded to the supercharged Rolls Royce Merlin engine, had greatly improved high-altitude performance. The most successful of all variants, the P-51D, was equipped with a license-built Packard-Merlin engine, six .50 caliber Browning machine guns and a tear drop canopy.

When the USAAF equiped their squadrons in Britain with the Mustang in the second half of the war, the tide began to turn. Due to the Mustang’s long range and ability as a bomber escort, it was once again possible to conduct crippling daytime bombing raids into Germany, as previous missions proved much too costly in lives and aircraft lost. By early 1944 P-51’s were sweeping the skies of Europe, out-classing the German Fw–190’s and Messerschmitt Bf 109’s, both excellent aircraft. Even Germany’s most advanced fighter, the jet-powered Me 262 fell prey to the Mustang on several occasions.

Although the P-51 arrived late to the Pacific Theatre, it saw duty in close support, tactical reconnaissance, and escort of B-29 bomber missions over Japan.

By the end of World War II Mustang pilots had destroyed almost 5,000 enemy aircraft in the air and on the ground. After the war the P-51 Mustang continued in the service of many of the world’s airforces into the 1980’s, and a few survivors have become the star attractions at air shows today.