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Aircraft
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P-51 |
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The
North American P-51 Mustang
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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.
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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support of ground forces until withdrawn from combat in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
Span: 37 ft. 0 in.
Length: 32 ft. 3 in.
Height: 13 ft. 8 in.
Weight: 12,100 lbs. max.
Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns and ten 5 in.
rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs.
Engine: Packard built Rolls-Royce "Merlin" V-1650 of
1,695 hp.
Cost: $54,000
Serial Number:
44-74936
Displayed as (S/N):
44-15174
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 437 mph.
Cruising speed: 275 mph.
Range: 1,000 miles
Service Ceiling: 41,900 ft.
A-36 Dive Bomber
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