P-51H "Mustang"

Designed as the NA-73 in 1940 at Britain’s request, the P-51 showed promise, and Army Air Forces purchases of Allison-powered Mustangs began in 1941 primarily for photo reconnaissance and ground support because of limited high-altitude performance. In 1942, tests of P-51s using the British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine revealed greatly improved speed and service ceiling, and in December 1943 Merlin-powered P-51Bs first entered combat over Europe. As high-altitude escorts for B-17s and B-24s, they scored heavily against German interceptors, and by the end of the war P-51s had destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraft in the air, more than any other fighter in Europe. Mustangs served in nearly every combat zone, including the Pacific, where they escorted B-29s to Japan from Iwo Jima. Between 1941 and 1945, the AAF ordered 14,855 Mustangs, including A-36A dive-bomber and F-6 photoreconnaissance versions, of which 7,956 were P-51Ds. During the Korean War, P-51Ds were used mainly for close support of ground forces until they were withdrawn from combat in 1953. This P-51H bears the colors and markings of a P-51D flown by Lt. Col. John C. Meyer of the 487th Fighter Group of the 8th during World War II; from September 14, 1943 to April 25, 1945, Meyer had 24 aerial victories. The aircraft is part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Lackland AFB, Texas · United States