You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

Even in modern times, designing and producing a working model of an aircraft in just over three months is an impressive feat, and it was even more so back in the mid-20th century. It took North American Aviation 102 days to deliver the P-51 Mustang's prototype, with the aircraft taking to the skies just a few weeks later!

[Lee Stewart]

Following its first flight on October 26, 1940, the Royal Air Force accepted the P-51 Mustang into service. Unfortunately, the aircraft's introduction into the European Theater got off to a rather bumpy start. Its engine - the Allison V-1710 - struggled to perform at higher altitudes, due to its single-stage supercharger.

The fighter's engine issues ultimately led to changes, with it later being powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin 65.

[Lee Stewart]

By 1943, the Allies were carrying out a heavy strategic bombing campaign against Germany. While the Royal Air Force largely took to the skies at night, the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) preferred to strike during the day, as this allowed their assaults to achieve more accuracy.

However, there was a problem with daylight air raids: it was easier for Luftwaffe pilots and anti-aircraft gunners on the ground to identify and target the American bombers. As there weren't really any Allied fighters that were capable of providing these aircraft with protection, American losses soared, and it became even more apparent that escorts were needed.

While bombers that had been converted into gunships were initially considered, smaller aircraft were ultimately deemed more equipped for the job. Thanks to its new Merlin engine, the P-51B Mustang was chosen for the job, as it was able to fly for up to four hours and 45 minutes and was generally viewed as a stable aircraft.

When put up against its heavier German opponents, the lightweight and maneuverable P-51B came out the victor.

[Lee Stewart]

One of the more interesting facts about the P-51 Mustang is that, while designed to be a fighter, it also saw action during WWII as a dive-bomber. Designed the A-36 Invader, this variant of the aircraft saw considerable action in the Mediterranean Theater, Italy and the China-Burma Theater.

While many have said the A-36 was a rather poor dive-bomber, this couldn't be further from the truth. Its Allison engine afforded it the ability to make quiet approaches, and its steady handling meant its pilots were among the most accurate when it came to the task of actually dropping ordnance on enemy targets.

That being said, the A-36 was never able to match the P-51, and it only saw service for a short time, between 1943-44.

[Lee Stewart]

Like so many vehicles operated during the Second World War, the P-51 Mustang's design was continuously refined and improved. upon. More than 20 variants were developed over the aircraft's service, with the most famous being the P-51D, which featured a revamp of its wings and a new bubble canopy, allowing pilots to see behind them. Its armament was also updated to include two M2 Browning machine guns, giving it increased firepower.

The P-51H was the newest model by the end of the Second World War, but it arrived on the scene too late to see service during the conflict. Along with featuring a new Merlin engine that gave it increased power, it was several thousand pounds lighter than those that had previously been introduced, meaning its maneuverability was further increased.

While the P-51H was intended to see combat during the planned Allied invasion of Japan - better known as Operation Downfall - alongside the Lockheed P-47N Thunderbolt, it was ultimately relegated to reserve units. What's more, it saw little service during the Korean War, as the US Air Force had many more P-51Ds at its disposal.

[Lee Stewart]

Over the course of the Second World War, well over 15,000 P-51 Mustangs left the assembly line, of which 8,000 were of the "D" variant. Of that total, just 150 remain in flyable condition, with many having been acquired by museums or collectors working to restore them to their former glory.

[Lee Stewart]

One of the more obvious facts on this list is that the P-51 Mustang continued to see service after WWII - most notably in Korea. While flying in the conflict, the fighter was operated by South Africa, Australia and South Korea, with the United States bringing its units - now designated F-51s - out of storage.

Throughout the conflict, the F-51s performed slightly different tasks to those undertaken during the Second World War. While they still participated in ground attacks on Communist targets, they also took part in photo reconnaissance.

[Lee Stewart]

Out of all the P-51 Mustang facts on this list, the most impressive is without a doubt the fact that the aircraft was so impactful that it was revived in 1967, more than 25 years after it first saw service.

By this time, the majority of those that had once been operated by the US Air Force had long since been distributed to civilian operators. However, in both 1967 and '72, the service worked to acquire some of the units it had gotten rid of, with their final destinations being South American and Asian air forces, as part of the Military Assistance Program (MAP).

[Lee Stewart]

Chevy's "Twin Six" Truck Engine.

https://www.slashgear.com/1452344/gm...in-six-engine/

[Lee Stewart]