| The
P-51 was designed as the NA-73 in 1940 at Britain's request. The design
showed promise and AAF purchases of Allison-powered Mustangs began in
1941 primarily for photo recon and ground support use due to its limited
high-altitude performance. But in 1942, tests of P-51s using the British
Rolls-Royce "Merlin" engine revealed much improved speed and
service ceiling, and in Dec. 1943, Merlin-powered P-51Bs first entered
combat over Europe. Providing high-altitude escort to B-17s and B-24s,
they scored heavily over German interceptors and by war's end, P-51s had
destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraft in the air, more than any other fighter
in Europe. |
North American P-51A |
| Mustangs
served in nearly every combat zone, including the Pacific where they
escorted B-29s to Japan from Iwo Jima. Between 1941-5, the AAF ordered
14,855 Mustangs (including A-36A dive bomber
and F-6 photo recon versions), of which 7,956 were P-51Ds. During the
Korean War, P-51Ds were used primarily for close support of ground
forces until withdrawn from combat in 1953.
SPECIFICATIONS PERFORMANCE
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