P-51 Mustang: An American Icon
The combination of speed, range, and armament made the P-51 Mustang one of the most versatile platforms of the Second World War.
The North American P-51 Mustang was born out of necessity and classic American ingenuity. With the war raging in Europe, the British Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation (NAA) in 1940 and asked them to produce the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk under license. The NAA, however, proposed an entirely new design. The NAA promised they could produce a superior fighter to the British P-40 Warhawk—and in less time.
These were the halcyon days of America’s manufacturing dominance; when the Americans could produce mass quantities of systems that were also increasingly sophisticated. But during the Second World War, America was an industrial juggernaut—and that industrial capacity ultimately saved the world from the tyranny of Nazism, Fascism, and the Imperial Japanese.
The P-51 Mustang’s Design
Led by chief engineer Edgar Schmued, NAA delivered on its bold promise. The prototype, designated NA-73X, took its first flight on October 26, 1940—just 117 days after the contract was signed!
The initial design featured an Allison V-1710 engine, which powered the early P-51s sent to Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF). These early models excelled at low-altitude performance, making them effective for tactical reconnaissance and ground attack missions. However, they lacked the requisite power for high-altitude combat.
This limitation was addressed when Britain’s Rolls-Royce intervened in 1942, pairing the airframe with the UK’s renowned Merlin engine—best known for its performance in the Supermarine Spitfire. In so doing, the P-51B and later the P-51D variants transformed the Mustang into a high-altitude, long-range escort fighter capable of taking on the German Luftwaffe’s best warplanes.
The real success of the P-51 Mustang was in its overall exceptional design. Its airframe was aerodynamically refined, incorporating a laminar-flow wing that reduced drag and improved lift, allowing for greater speed and fuel efficiency. With a top speed exceeding 440 miles per hour in later models, the Mustang was among the fastest piston-engine fighters of its time. The Merlin-powered P-51D, the most famous variant of this plane, boasted a range of over 1,650 miles with external drop tanks, enabling it to escort bombers on deep penetration missions into Nazi Germany and to return safely.
Its armament was impressive for its day, too. Armed with six .50-caliber Browning machine guns mounted on its wings, the P-51D dealt death from above like few others could. Its bubble canopy, introduced in the D-model, provided pilots with unparalleled visibility, a critical advantage in dogfights. The combination of speed, range, and armament made the Mustang one of the most versatile platforms of the war.
These birds could engage with enemy fighters, strafe targets on the ground, and protect Allied bombers, such as the B-17 Flying Fortress or the B-24 Liberator.
America Took the P-51 to War in Earnest
Although the P-51 first cut its sharp teeth in service to the RAF, it was with the United States Army Air Forces where the P-51 truly made its mark. Prior to the Mustang’s arrival circa 1943, Allied bombers suffered staggering losses on daytime raids over Europe, as shorter-range fighters such as the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-38 Lightning could not accompany them all the way to their targets. The P-51s changed this dynamic.
Assigned to the Eighth Air Force, Mustangs began escorting bombers on long-range missions to Berlin and beyond, engaging and defeating Luftwaffe fighters, such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190. By mid-1944, the Mustang had helped the Allies achieve air superiority over Europe, a prerequisite for the success of the D-Day invasion and subsequent campaigns.
In the Pacific Theater, Mustangs based on Iwo Jima escorted B-29 Superfortresses on raids against Japan, further showcasing their versatility. By war’s end, P-51s were credited with destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft in the air—and thousands more on the ground.
The Last Great Propellor Plane
The P-51 Mustang’s influence extended beyond World War II. It saw some action in the Korean War, where it served primarily in ground-attack roles. However, the Mustang was quickly outclassed by jet fighters like America’s F-86 Sabre and the Soviet-built MiG-15. Production of the Mustang ultimately ceased in 1946, with over 15,000 units having been built.
The aircraft’s legacy endured. Many surplus P-51s found new life in civilian hands, dominating air races and becoming prized possessions of aviation enthusiasts.
Indeed, the P-51 is one of the most celebrated pieces of American WWII history. Many restored examples still fly at airshows, their distinctive roar evoking the era of piston-engine fighters. Even among those that no longer fly, one can find these aircraft on display in museums all over the country, too. It is a true cultural icon.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / FlyingRabbit.