North American P-51D Mustang
Serial Number:
44-73415
Period:
WWII
Collection Ref: 1990/0692/A
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, War Planes
The Mustang more than any other fighter wrested control
of the skies over Germany from the Luftwaffe; combining a British designed
engine and American airframe it was quite simply one of the best fighter
aircraft built during the Second World War.
Following a visit by the British Purchasing Mission, North American started
design of the Mustang fighter in April 1940. The prototype was completed
in just a hundred days and made its first flight in September 1940. The
aircraft was far superior in performance to any contemporary American
fighter.
North American received a large contract from the British Government and
the first Mustangs reached the United Kingdom in October 1941. The early
aircraft were fitted with an American Allison engine and had an impressive
low-altitude performance, but later Mustangs were fitted with American-built
Rolls Royce Merlin engines and these provided an all-round improvement
making the aircraft one of the outstanding fighters of the Second World
War.
Over 2600 Mustangs were supplied to the Royal Air Force during the war
and thirty one squadrons in Great Britain and the Mediterranean were equipped
with the type. Most Mustangs disappeared very quickly from British service
after the war's end but a few remained until November 1946.
