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Erickson Aircraft Collection: A World War II American fighter (photo diary) [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-02-14
The P-51 Mustang was among the best and most well-known fighters used by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
The history of the Mustang according to the National Museum of the United States Air Force:
“In 1940 the British approached North American Aviation to license-build Curtiss P-40 fighters for the Royal Air Force. North American offered to design a better fighter, which flew as the NA-73X in October 1940. Production of the aircraft -- named Mustang I by the British -- began the following year.”
With regard to the P-51D, the National Museum of the United States Air Force reports:
“The P-51D incorporated several improvements, and it became the most numerous variant with nearly 8,000 being built. The most obvious change was a new "bubble-top" canopy that greatly improved the pilot's vision. The P-51D also received the new K-14 gunsight, an increase from four to six .50-cal machine guns, and a simplified ammunition feed system that considerably reduced gun jams.”
This airplane has a top speed of 437 mph, a cruising speed of 275 mph, a range of 1,650 miles with drop tanks, and a ceiling of 41,900 feet. It is powered by a 1,490 HP Packard-produced Rolls Royce Merlin V-1650-7 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engine.
Shown below is the North American P-51D Mustang in the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon.
More airplanes
Erickson Aircraft: Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (photo diary)
Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum: An iconic British Spitfire (photo diary)
Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum: World War II P-51 D Mustang (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: World War II American fighters (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: World War II American fighters (photo diary)
Yanks Air Museum: World War II Fighters (Photo Diary)
Planes of Fame: World War II American Fighters (Photo Diary)
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