26 OCT--This Day in US Military History, year 2

2015-10-26T08:58:32-04:00

1940 – The P-51 Mustang makes its maiden flight.

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts. The Mustang was conceived, designed and built by North American Aviation (NAA) in response to a specification issued directly to NAA by the British Purchasing Commission. The prototype NA-73X airframe was rolled out on 9 September 1940, 102 days after the contract was signed and, with an engine installed, first flew on this date.
The Mustang was originally designed to use the Allison V-1710 engine, which had limited high-altitude performance. It was first flown operationally by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a tactical-reconnaissance aircraft and fighter-bomber (Mustang Mk I). The addition of the Rolls-Royce Merlin to the P-51B/C model transformed the Mustang’s performance at altitudes above 15,000 ft, matching or bettering that of the Luftwaffe’s fighters.
The definitive version, the P-51D, was powered by the Packard V-1650-7, a license-built version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin 60 series two-stage two-speed supercharged engine, and armed with six .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns. From late 1943, P-51Bs (supplemented by P-51Ds from mid-1944) were used by the USAAF’s Eighth Air Force to escort bombers in raids over Germany, while the RAF’s 2 TAF and the USAAF’s Ninth Air Force used the Merlin-powered Mustangs as fighter-bombers, roles in which the Mustang helped ensure Allied air superiority in 1944. The P-51 was also in service with Allied air forces in the North African, Mediterranean and Italian theaters, and saw limited service against the Japanese in the Pacific War.
During World War II, Mustang pilots claimed 4,950 enemy aircraft shot down. At the start of the Korean War, the Mustang was the main fighter of the United Nations until jet fighters such as the F-86 took over this role; the Mustang then became a specialized fighter-bomber. Despite the advent of jet fighters, the Mustang remained in service with some air forces until the early 1980s. After World War II and the Korean War, many Mustangs were converted for civilian use, especially air racing, and increasingly, preserved and flown as historic warbird aircraft at airshows.

https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/october-26/

October 26

26 October 1682 - William Penn accepted the area around Delaware River from Duke of York. 1774 - The first Continental Congress, which protested British measures and called for civil disobedience, ...

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Oct 26 at 2015 9:16 AM

2015-10-26T09:16:37-04:00

That was a great plane. Hard to believe it lasted so long

Response by CSM William Payne made Oct 26 at 2015 9:23 AM

2015-10-26T09:23:45-04:00

Though the P-51 is considered the best long range piston engine fighter of all time and definitely is on the top of my list, most all of the aviation experts agree that the Spitfire was the most dominant and effective dog fighter of WWII. With its 90 gallon fuel tank it had a limited range and the mustang could dive faster. But in all other aspects the spitfire was superior. When the commander of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering was asked what he needed to defeat the RAF during the Battle of Britian, he replied "A squadron of Spitfites!"

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 26 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-10-26T10:15:10-04:00

The perfect plane for its time.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Oct 26 at 2015 11:16 AM

2015-10-26T11:16:05-04:00

We need more Plane like it

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 26 at 2015 11:23 AM

2015-10-26T11:23:08-04:00

One of my all time favorites, along with the old Sabrejets. Had models of both of them as a youth.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 26 at 2015 12:58 PM

2015-10-26T12:58:26-04:00

Ah, the sound of a Merlin. You'll never forget it.