P-51 Mustang

The P-51 flew most of its WWII missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany, helping ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944. It also saw service against the Japanese in the Pacific war. The Mustang began the Korean War as the United Nations' main fighter, but was relegated to a ground attack role when superseded by next generation jet fighters early in the conflict. Nevertheless, it still remains in service with some air forces, such as the RNZAF, RAF and the SAAF.

As well as being economical to produce, the Mustang was a fast, well-made, and highly durable aircraft. The definitive version of WWII, the P-51D, was powered by the Packard V-1650, a two-stage two-speed supercharged version of the legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, and was armed with six .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns.

After World War II and the Korean conflict, many Mustangs were converted for turboprops, especially for COIN missions. The Mustang's reputation was such that, in the mid-1960s, Ford Motor Company's Designer John Najjar proposed the name for a new youth-oriented coupe automobile after the fighter.

Variants

 * T-51D - A modified Canadian trainer.
 * F-5J1 - Naval version of the P-51B. Man differences included a folding tail, folding wings, arrestor hook and strengthened landing gear.

North American Aviation