Was the P-51 a good fighter?

The Mustang, with its high speed, long-range, low-cost, and six . 50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns, made it the ideal fighter for the job. The P-51 dominated air combat in Europe, destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft. It was also a very capable fighter-bomber and could carry 1,000 pounds of bombs and rockets.

Who designed the Mustang fighter?

Edgar Schmued
North American P-51 Mustang/Designers

Which is better P-51 or Spitfire Mustang?

In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter. However, the P51D was generally more specialized than the Spitfire. In it’s main role, the Mustang proved itself as a superb escort fighter in Allied bombing raids over Germany.

Who was the designer of the P-51 Mustang?

by Curtis Fowles, MustangsMustangs In July of 1943, U.S. Army approved a contract with North American Aviation to design and build a lightweight P-51. Designated NA-105, 5 aircraft were to be built and tested. Edgar Schmued, chief of design at NAA, began this design early in 1943.

What was the top speed of a P-51 Mustang?

But, the new -9 Merlin used water/alcohol injection and was able to up the war emergency power to 2,200 at 10,200 feet. This was the fastest production P-51 clocking 487 mph at 25,000 feet. The propeller of the P-51H was the Aeroproducts 11’1″ 4-blade Unimatic otherwise know as the “H prop”.

Are there any P-51H Mustangs still in use?

In the years to follow, the H was used in many Air National Guard units around the U.S. Only 5 P-51Hs survived, 2 are display quality only, 2 are airworthy and the last is in restoration to be airworthy. One of the XP-51G prototypes does exist and is in a long term restoration with John Morgan in California.

What was the weight of the P-51?

They were able to reduce the empty weight of the P-51 by 600 pounds. This would translate into more performance. The lightweight prototypes were designated XP-51F, XP-51G and XP-51J.