Changes

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.

==The Pacific Theater==

==The Pacific Theater==

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.  The highest scoring Mustang ace of the Pacific theater was Major John "Pappy" Herbst, who shot down 14 Japanese planes while flying the P-51 with the 74th Fighter Squadron at the CBI front, in addition to four kills in the P-40.<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.  The highest scoring Mustang ace of the Pacific theater was Major John "Pappy" Herbst, who shot down 14 Japanese planes while flying the P-51 with the 74th Fighter Squadron at the CBI front, in addition to four kills in the P-40.<ref>''Mustang and Thunderbolt Aces of the Pacific and CBI'', by John Stanaway, Osprey Publishing, 1999</ref>

==Post-war Operations==

==Post-war Operations==