North american p 51 mustang. By stephen sherman apr. Among one of the most famous fighters of world war ii the p 51 mustang has its roots in both britain and the usa. Over twenty variants of the north american p 51 mustang fighter were produced from 1940 when it first flew to after the second world war some of which were employed also in the korean war and in several other conflicts. A veteran of world war ii and the korean war north american aviations p 51 mustang was the first us.
Mustangs met and conquered every german plane from the early junkers to the sleek twin jet messerschmitt 262s. N orth american aviation originally designed the mustang in response to a british specification. The north american aviation p 51 mustang is an american long range single seat fighter and fighter bomber used during world war ii and the korean war among other conflicts. They agreed to produce the first prototype only 4 months after signing the contract in april 1940.
The mustang was designed in 1940 by north american aviation naa in response to a requirement of the british purchasing commission. Numerous examples of the aircraft survive to this day often as heavily modified air racers. Originally overlooked by the usaaf the p 51 did not see action with american forces until march 1943. The pairing of the legendary merlin engine and the p 51 mustang eventually resulted in the p 51d which provided the us army air forces with a high performance high altitude long range fighter that could escort heavy bomber formations all the way to berlin and back.
Mustangs engaged and conquered every axis fighter they met in the pacific north african and european theaters. Best p 51 oshkosh 2019 1944 north american aviation p 51d mustang frances dell n51zw serial 44 13903jp limited category airframe 1700 total time packard v 1650 7 engine with transport hb new avia paddle blades all have 150 hours smoh. Built fighter airplane to push its nose over europe after the fall of france. Once its full potential had been developed the usa realized that this aircraft had been ignored for far too long a time.
North american p 51 mustang generally considered the best fighter of wwii. The p 51 mustang was the first american built fighter to cross the channel after the surrender of france.