North American P-51D "Mustang"
Posted by: 
brwhiz
N 41° 09.762 W 112° 01.144
12T E 414505 N 4557319
This Static Aircraft Displays of a North American P-51D "Mustang" is inside the Hill Aerospace Museum located on the northwest corner of Hill Air Force Base at 7961 Wardleigh Road in Riverdale, Utah.
Waymark Code: WMGZXJ
Location: Utah, United States
Date Posted: 04/29/2013
Views: 4
North American
P-51D "Mustang"
S/N 44-13371 Span: 37'0" Length: 32'3"
Height: 13'8" Weight: 12,100 lbs Crew: 1
Engine: Packard built Rolls-Royce Merlin
V-1650 of 1,695 hp Armaments: Six .50-cal
Machine Guns and Ten 5 in. Rockets or
2,000 lbs of Bombs Maximum Speed: 437 mph
The P-51 was designed as the NA-73 in 1940 at Britain's request. The design showed promise and AAF purchases of Allison-powered Mustangs began in 1941 for photo reconnaissance and ground support use, due to its limited high-altitude performance. In 1942, tests with the British Rolls Royce Merlin engine showed much improved speed and service ceiling. Merlin-powered P-51's entered service with the U.S. 8th Air Force in 1943. Due to their long range capability, they were able to escort bombers into Germany, where they scored heavily against the enemy. They destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraft by war's end. Mustangs served in almost everfy combat zone. Between 1941-1945 the AAF ordered 14,855 Mustangs. 7,956 were P-51D's. During the Korean conflict, P-51D's were used primarily for close support of ground forces until withdrawn from combat in 1953.