History of the P-51 D Mustang

In 1940, the British are already bombing Germany. But the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) and the Flak (German anti-aircraft defense) destroy many bombers and the losses are extremely severe: the situation is problematic for the Allies who planned to conduct day raids also.

Thus in 1940 the North American company received a call from the Royal Air Force aiming at creating a training aircraft. Soon the North American company develops a fighter so powerful that it encouraged Americans to consider it as their main fighter capable of escorting and defending the Allies bombers against enemy aircrafts, day or night. Its main asset was its range which was, at that time, extraordinary.

In 1940, the production of this aircraft began. This new fighter is fast, manoeuvrable and very powerful during ground attacks and in aerial combat. This plane is called P-51 Mustang. Different models were created, the most manufactured one was the model D.

Very efficient in bombing ground targets, the P-51 Mustang is extremely dreaded for the German armored divisions.

Today, nearly 150 P-51 Mustang fly at meetings on the 15,000 units produced throughout the Second World War. It is a symbolic fighter of this period.

P-51 D Mustang sheet

Country creator/user: USA
Name: P-51 D Mustang

Length: 9,83 m
Wingspan: 11,28 m
Height: 3,71 m
Curb weight : 3,232 kg
Maximum speed: 700 km/h
Range: 1,530 kilometers
Ceiling: 12,700 m

Armament: six 12,7 mm Browning MG 53-2 machine guns, four 20 mm MG 151 guns, place for ten 127 mm rockets or 900 kg of bombs

Engine: 12-cylinder Packard V-1650-7 Merlin, 1,400 hp

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