Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

P-51H "Mustang"

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. P-51H "Mustang" Marker

Inscription. 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 During the Korean War, P-51D's were used primarily for close support of ground forces until withdrawn from combat in 1953.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

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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.

Erected by USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Korean • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1940.

Location. 29° 23.566′ N, 98° 37.241′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum’s Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. P-51H "Mustang" Marker

New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: T-28 "Trojan" (within shouting distance of this marker); P-63G "King Cobra" (within shouting distance of this marker); Chief Master Sgt. Lynn Steincamp (within shouting distance of this marker); We Remember (within shouting distance of this marker); AT-6 "Texan" (within shouting distance of this marker); P-38L "Lightning" (within shouting distance of this marker); Brig. Gen. Charles "Chuck" Yeager (within shouting distance of this marker); Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museum’s web site for current details on visiting the museum

P-51H "Mustang" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

3. P-51H "Mustang"

and air park.

Also see . . .
1. Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 24, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. North American P-51 Mustang. Wikipedia

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in April 1940 by a team headed by James H. Kindelberger of North American Aviation (NAA) in response to a requirement of the British Purchasing Commission.

(Submitted on August 24, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Flight of P-51 Mustangs image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - U.S. National Archives - Signal Corps Archive, January 1, 1944

4. Flight of P-51 Mustangs

The flight of four fighters is shown shortly before the planes peel off to lose altitude for landing at their 8th Fighter Command Station in England.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.