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The '''P-51 Mustang''' was an allied fighter plane of [[WWII]].  This plane served in the [[European]] and [[Pacific]] Theaters, and is probably the most well known [[airplane]] 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 to the German Luftwaffe, 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 Mustang''' was an Allied fighter plane of [[WWII]].  This plane served in the [[European]] and [[Pacific]] Theaters, and is probably the most well known [[airplane]] 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>

While the P-51 is most famous for its service in the European theater, several Mustang units served in Asia and the Pacific.  The first Mustangs in the theater were assigned to the [[China]]-[[Burma]]-[[India]] front in September 1943.  Mustangs also joined the fighting in the [[Philippines]] and central Pacific in 1945.<ref>Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces of the Pacific and CBI, by John Stanaway, Osprey Publishing, 1999</ref>

While the P-51 is most famous for its service in the European theater, several Mustang units served in Asia and the Pacific.  The first Mustangs in the theater were assigned to the [[China]]-[[Burma]]-[[India]] front in September 1943.  Mustangs also joined the fighting in the [[Philippines]] and central Pacific in 1945.<ref>''Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces of the Pacific and CBI'', by John Stanaway, Osprey Publishing, 1999</ref>

A large number of P-51s served in the [[Korean War]] as well, mainly in ground support missions.<ref>Aces, by William Yenne, 2000</ref>

A large number of P-51s served in the [[Korean War]] as well, mainly in ground support missions.<ref>''Aces'', by William Yenne, 2000</ref>

==F-82 Twin Mustang==

==F-82 Twin Mustang==

This plane was a long-range fighter made by combining two lengthened Mustang fuselages with a common wing.  The resulting twin-engine, two pilot fighter had a greater speed and longer range than the P-51.<ref>The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Combat Aircraft of World War II, by Bill Gunston, Salamander Military Press, 1990</ref>  The plane was first conceived as a long-range escort fighter for [[B-29]] bombing raids on [[Japan]], but the first planes weren’t delivered until after the Japanese surrender.  However, the Twin Mustang saw service as an interceptor in first year of the Korean War.  On June 27, 1950, Twin Mustangs flying cover over Kimpo airport scored the first aerial victories of the war for the [[USAF]] when they shot down three single-engine Yak-7 fighters for no losses.<ref>''Rolling Thunder: Jet Combat From World War II to the Gulf War'', by Ivan Rendall, Dell Publishing, 1997</ref>  Some also served as night fighters.

This plane was a long-range fighter made by combining two lengthened Mustang fuselages with a common wing.  The resulting twin-engine, two pilot fighter had a greater speed and longer range than the P-51.<ref>''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Combat Aircraft of World War II'', by Bill Gunston, Salamander Military Press, 1990</ref>  The plane was first conceived as a long-range escort fighter for [[B-29]] bombing raids on [[Japan]], but the first planes weren’t delivered until after the Japanese surrender.  However, the Twin Mustang saw service as an interceptor in first year of the Korean War.  On June 27, 1950, Twin Mustangs flying cover over Kimpo airport scored the first aerial victories of the war for the [[USAF]] when they shot down three single-engine Yak-7 fighters for no losses.<ref>''Rolling Thunder: Jet Combat From World War II to the Gulf War'', by Ivan Rendall, Dell Publishing, 1997</ref>  Some also served as night fighters.

==References==

==References==

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<references/>

==External Links==

==External Links==

*[http://urrib2000.narod.ru/EqMustang-e.html Cuban Mustangs]

*[http://urrib2000.narod.ru/EqMustang-e.html Cuban Mustangs]

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H282DVlZVQA Dogfights of the P-51] at YouTube.

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H282DVlZVQA Dogfights of the P-51] at YouTube.

[[Category:Aircraft]]

[[Category:Aircraft]]

[[Category:World War II]]

[[Category:World War II]]