Crew: 1
Max. Speed: 437 mph
Cruising Speed: 275 mph
Range: 1,000 miles
Service Ceiling: 41,900 ft
Engine: Merlin V-1650
Horsepower: 1,695 hp
Armaments:
6x .50 machine guns/10x zero rail rockets or 2x 1,000 lbs bombs
- The P-51 Mustang provided bombers of the U.S. 8th Air Force the cover they needed to orchestrate the successful bombing campaign against Nazi Germany in WWII.
- First saw action in December 1943 and in May 1944 the P-15D was introduced with drop down tanks, increasing the plane's range to more than 1,300 miles.
- During WWII the plane was known for its impressive kill ratio, that is, for every P-51 Mustang lost there were 19 enemy kills. The Mustang is credited with the destruction of 4,950 German planes, more than any other Allied fighter plane.
- Such was the success of the P-51 Mustang that, after WWII, some 55 countries purchased versions to be included in their own air forces.
References:
"The P51 Mustang." History Learning Site. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/p51_mustang.htm. (Accessed July 2012.)
"North American P-51 Mustang." Ace Pilots. http://acepilots.com/planes/p51_mustang.html. (Accessed July 2012.)
