P-51H "Mustang"

P-51H "Mustang". . The P-51 was designed as the NA-73 in 1940 at Britain's request. The design showed promise and Army Air Forces purchases of Allison-powered Mustangs began in 1941 primarily for photo reconnaissance and ground support use due to its limited high-altitude performance. But in 1942, tests of P-51s using the British Rolls-Royce "Merlin" engine revealed much improved speed and service ceiling, and in December 1943, Merlin-powered P-51Bs first entered combat over Europe. Providing high-altitude escort to B-17s and B-24s, they scored heavily over German interceptors and by war's end, P-51s had destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraft in the air, more than any other fighter in Europe. Mustangs served in nearly every combat zone, including the Pacific where they escorted B-29s to Japan from Iwo Jima. Between 1941 and 1945, the AAF ordered 14,855 Mustangs (including A-36A dive-bomber and F-6 photoreconnaissance versions), of which 7,956 were P-51Ds. During the Korean War, P-51D's were used primarily for close support of ground forces until withdrawn from combat in 1953. This P-51H has the colors and markings of a P-51D flown by Lt. Col. John C. Meyer who was assigned to the 487th Fighter Group of the 8th during World War II, (from September 14, 1943 to April 25, 1945), Meyer had 24 aerial victories during this time., This aerospace vehicle (P-51H) is a part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.