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[[Image:P-51c.jpg|thumb|350px|right|P-51 model D]]
The '''P-51 Mustang''' was an Allied fighter plane of [[WWII]]. This plane served in the [[European]] and [[Pacific]] Theaters, and is one of the most well known [[airplane]]s of the war.
The '''P-51 Mustang''' was an Allied fighter plane of [[WWII]]. This plane served in the [[European]] and [[Pacific]] Theaters, and is one of the most well known [[airplane]]s of the war.
The P-51 was the first fighter plane flown by the Allies that had the range to escort bombers to any target in Europe. This dramatically reduced bomber losses, increased losses of German [[Luftwaffe]] planes, and made bombing missions much more effective. It had a Rolls Royce engine and six heavy machine guns. Over 15,000 P-51s were produced during the war. The most numerous (and well-known) version of this fighter was the P-51D, with a distinctive bubble canopy and large fuel capacity.<ref>''Aircraft vs. Aircraft'', by Norman Franks, Barnes & Noble Books, 1998</ref>
The P-51 was the first fighter plane flown by the Allies that had the range to escort bombers to any target in Europe. This dramatically reduced bomber losses, increased losses of German [[Luftwaffe]] planes, and made bombing missions much more effective. It had a Rolls Royce engine and six heavy machine guns. Over 15,000 P-51s were produced during the war. The most numerous (and well-known) version of this fighter was the P-51D, with a distinctive bubble canopy and large fuel capacity.<ref>''Aircraft vs. Aircraft'', by Norman Franks, Barnes & Noble Books, 1998</ref>
==Origins==
==Origins==
In spring 1940, the British Royal Air Force (RAF), eager to take up President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s invitation to use American factories and aeronautical expertise, challenged North American Aviation to build a model in 120 days if it wanted a contract. 117 frantic days later, the design team led by Edgar Schmued rolled out the first prototype. France had just fallen. Britain, standing alone against Hitler, hurriedly ordered 620 planes. After [[Lend-Lease]] passed Congress in 1941, the US purchased the planes and gave them to Britain.
In spring 1940, the British Royal Air Force (RAF), eager to take up President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]'s invitation to use American factories and aeronautical expertise, challenged North American Aviation to build a model in 120 days if it wanted a contract. 117 frantic days later, the design team led by Edgar Schmued rolled out the first prototype. France had just fallen. Britain, standing alone against Hitler, hurriedly ordered 620 planes. After [[Lend-Lease]] passed Congress in 1941, the US purchased the planes and gave them to Britain.