Warplanes of the USA: North American NA-73X, XP-51, A-36A, P-51B and P-51C Mustangs

North American NA-73X, XP-51, A-36A, P-51B and P-51C Mustangs

The aim of this website is to locate, identify and document Warplanes from the Second World War preserved in the USA.  Many contributors have assisted in the hunt for these aircraft to provide and update the data on this website.  Photos are as credited.  Any errors found here are by the author, and any additions, corrections or amendments to this list of Warplane Survivors of the Second World War in the United States of America would be most welcome and may be e-mailed to the author at hskaarup@rogers.com.

North American Mustang variants:

(North American Photo)

NA-73X Mustang. This was the initial prototype, rolled out minus its engine, on 9 September 1940. First flown on 26 October 1940.

(USAAC Photo)

North American NA-73 Mustang Mk. I, RAF (Serial No. AL958) being test-flown at Inglewood, California, in October 1942. This Mustang was one of the original batch of 300 aircraft ordered by the Royal Air Force in December 1940 before the lend-lease act. Note that the fighter wears U.S. national insignias that were used by U.S. forces up to April 1942.

NA-73 Mustang Mk. I. The first production contract was awarded by the British for 320 NA-73 fighters.

NA-83 Mustang Mk. I. Second British contract awarded for 300 more. The first RAF Mustang Mk. Is were delivered to No. 26 Squadron, RAF Gatwick in the UK, in February 1942 and made their combat debut on 10 May 1942.

XP-51. Contractual arrangements were made for two aircraft from the first British order to be delivered to the USAAC for evaluation; these two airframes were (Serial Nos. 41-038 and 41-039). They arrived at Wright Field, Ohio, on 24 August and 16 December 1941 respectively.

(SDASM Archives Photo)

North American XP-51 Mustang (Serial No. 41-038), the first XP-51 delivered to the USAAF, wearing a cam paint scheme.

(NMUSAF Photo)

North American XP-51 Mustang (Serial No. 41-039), the second XP-51 built.

(NACA Photo)

North American XP-51 Mustang (Serial No. 41-039), the second XP-51 wearing a cam paint scheme.  This aircraft arrived at Langley in March 1943.  It was the first aircraft to incorporate an NACA laminar-flow airfoil.

NA-91/Mustang Mk. IA. They were equipped with four long-barrelled 20-mm (.79 in) Hispano Mk. II cannon instead of machine guns. The first American order for 150 P-51s was placed by the US Army on 7 July 1940. This was on behalf of the RAF in a Lend-Lease deal. All but the last 57 went to the RAF. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USAAF 'held back' these Mk. IAs for their own use. 57 of these P-51-1s were outfitted with a pair of K.24 cameras in the rear fuselage for tactical low-level reconnaissance and re-designated F-6A. The 150 NA-91s were designated P-51 by the newly formed USAAF and were initially named Apache, although this was soon dropped and the RAF name, Mustang, adopted instead.

(USAAF Photo)

A-36A Mustang with chin mounted guns and an impresive number of mission markings on the cowl, Gaudo Airfield, southern Italy, 14 Jan 1944.

A-36A (NA-97). 500 aircraft. This model became the first USAAF Mustang to see combat. One aircraft, RAF (Serial No. EW998), was passed to the British who named it the Mustang Mk. I (Dive Bomber).

(RAF Photo)

Mustang Mk. X, RAF (Serial No. AM203), one of five Mustangs with Merlin 65 engines.

Mustang Mk. X. The UK converted five Mustangs with Merlin 65 engines. The high-altitude performance improvement was remarkable: RAF (Serial No. AM208) reached 433 mph (376 kn; 697 km/h) at 22,000 ft (6,700 m) with full supercharger, and RAF (Serial no. AL975) tested at an absolute ceiling of 40,600 ft (12,400 m).

P-51A/Mustang Mk. II (NA-99). A contract was placed for 1,200 P-51As on 23 June 1942. The USAAF received 310 and the RAF 50 (as the Mustang II) before production converted to producing the Merlin-powered P-51B. 5 P-51As were equipped with K-24 cameras and designated F-6B. ll these models of the Mustang were equipped with Allison V-1710 engines except the prototype XP-51B. P-51A-1-NA, 100 built. P-51A-5-NA, 55 built. P-51A-10-NA, 155 built. F-6B-NA, photo reconnaissance variant. 35 converted from P-51As.

(USAAF Photo)

P-51A-1-NA (Serial No. 43-6003) was fitted and tested with a lightweight retractable ski kit replacing the wheels early in 1944.

XP-51B. Two P-51Bs went through a more thorough conversion than the Mustang X, with a tailor-made engine installation. The new engine drove a four-bladed 11 ft 2 in (3.40 m)-diameter Hamilton Standard propeller. The first XP-51B flew on 30 November 1942.

P-51B. Beginning with this model the Packard V-1650 replaced the Allison V-1710. XP-51B (NA-101), two prototypes converted from P-51s. Originally designated XP-78. P-51B-1-NA (NA-102), initial production block with V-1650-3. 400 built. P-51B-5-NA (NA-104), with alternate air source grill on each side of the nose.[66] 800 built. P-51B-7-NA (NA-104), with 85 gal fuel tank behind the pilot's seat.[66] 550 converted from B-5-NAs. P-51B-10-NA (NA-104), with V-1650-7 late in production run.[66] 400 built. P-51B-15-NA (NA-104), V-1650-7 as standard. 390 built. F-6C-NA, photo reconnaissance conversions.

(USAAF Photo)

A USAAF North American P-51B-1-NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-12433), coded AJ-M, of the 356th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, named "Miss Pea Ridge", flown by Mack Tyner. 42-12433 was originally destined for the Royal Air Force as Mustang Mk. III (Serial No. FX905). It did not serve with the RAF but was returned to the USAAF on 30 December 1943.

P-51B (NA-102). The RAF named these models Mustang Mk. III. In performance tests, the P-51B reached 441 mph (383 kn; 710 km/h) at 30,000 ft (9,100 m). In addition, the extended range made possible by the use of drop tanks enabled the Merlin-powered Mustang to be introduced as a bomber escort with a combat radius of 750 mi (1,210 km).

(USAAF Photo)

P-51C-10-NT Mustang s/n 42-103896 A 311th Fighter Group,14th Air Force Mustang escorting C-47's over China on 24 July 1945.

P-51C. The P-51B model line was built at the Inglewood plant in Californai, and the P-51C line at the Dallas plant in Texas. Specifications for the P-51C were identical to the P-51B. P-51Bs and P-51Cs started to arrive in England in August and October 1943. The P-51B/P-51C versions were sent to 15 fighter groups that were part of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in England and the Twelfth and Fifteenth in Italy (the southern part of Italy was under Allied control by late 1943). Other deployments included the China Burma India Theater (CBI). The first group to fly the P-51 on operations was the 354th Operations Group; their first long-distance escort mission was flown on 15 Jan 1944.

The P-51C version mainly used the medium-altitude rated V-1650-7. The RAF named these models Mustang Mk III. 1,750 P-51Cs were built. The RAF also used P-51Bs and Cs, designating them Mustang IIIs. P-51C-1-NT (NA-103), initial production block. 350 built. P-51C-3-NT (NA-103), same as B-7-NA. Unknown number converted from C-1-NAs. P-51C-5-NT (NA-103), same as B-15-NA. 450 built. P-51C-10-NT (NA-103/111), 793 built. P-51C-11-NT, 127 built. F-6C-NT (NA-111), photo reconnaissance conversions. TP-51C, two-seat trainer conversions. Five converted in wartime plus another in the early 2000s.

(USAAF Photo)

P-51C-10-NT (Serial No. 43-25050), 503rd FS, 339th FG, 8th AF with Malcolm hood. This Mustang was assigned to 1st Lt. Esteban A. Terrats who was KIA in this aircraft on 2 March,1945 during an escort mission to Ruhland,Germany. RAF Fowlmere, England.

The canopy structure consisted of flat, framed panels. The pilot entered or exited the cockpit by lowering the port side panel and raising the top panel to the right. The canopy could not be opened in flight and tall pilots especially were hampered by limited headroom. In order to at least partially improve the view from the Mustang, the British field-modified some Mustangs with clear, sliding canopies called Malcolm hoods (designed by R Malcolm & Co).

In search of a more lasting solution to the problem of cockpit visibility from the P-51B/C, a P-51B (Serial No. 43-12101) was modified with a teardrop-shaped all-round cockpit canopy and redesignated XP-51D. Having proved that the concept was valid, two P-51B-10-NAs (Serial Nos. 42-106539 and 106540) were completed on the production line with Plexiglas bubble canopies and redesignated P-51Ds. Those became the prototypes for the famed P-51D series of Mustangs.

In spite of this, many pilots regarded the Malcolm-hooded P-51B/C as the best of the entire series. It was lighter, faster, and had crisper handling than the bubble-hooded P-51D and actually had a better all-round view. Its primary weakness was in its armament—only four guns, which often jammed. Some modifications applied to the P-51D to improve the ammunition feed racks were later retrofitted into P-51B/Cs, which made their guns less prone to jamming. With modified guns and a Malcolm hood, the P-51B/C was arguably a better fighter than the P-51D, with better visibility, lower weight, and without the structural problems which afflicted the D. Emergency bail-outs were also easier.

(USAAF Photo)

F-6A with Malcolm hood, LCol George Peck, CO of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group.

(San Diego Air & Space Museum Photo)

North American Mustang Mk. III with Malcolm hood, RAF (Serial No. XF893).

(RCAF Photo)

North American Mustang Mk. III with Malcolm hood, RAF (Serial No. HB876), coded 9G-L, No. 441 Squadron, RCAF.  This aircraft is armed with four wing-mounted .50 calibre Browning M2 machine guns, and equipped with two under-wing racks for bombs or drop tanks.  Mk. IIIs were powered with one 1,380-hp Packard-built V-1650-3 Merlin engine or one 1,490-hp Packard-built V-1650-7 Merlin engine.  Equipped with a four-bladed constant speed 11-ft-2-in.-diameter Hamilton Standard propeller, it had a maximum speed of 708 kmh (440 mph) at 9,144 m (30,000 ft). The RAF put into service more Mustang Mk. III fighters than any other version.  These included Inglewood, California-built, P-51Bs and Dallas, Texas-built, P-51Cs.

(USAAF Photo)

North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang (Serial No. 44-13926), coded E2-S, assigned to Lieutenant Abe P. Rosenberger,  375th Fighter Squadron.

P-51D (NA-109/110/111/122/124). This series introduced a "teardrop", or "bubble", canopy to rectify problems with poor visibility to the rear of the aircraft. In late 1942, the tenth production P-51B-1-NA was removed from the assembly lines. From the windshield aft the fuselage was redesigned by cutting down the rear fuselage formers to the same height as those forward of the cockpit; the new shape faired in to the vertical tail unit.

As well as the modified fuselage and new canopy the production P-51Ds had modified wings compared with the P-51B/C series and became the most widely produced variant of the Mustang, with 6,502 being built at Inglewood and 1,600 at Dallas – a combined total of 8,102. 280 were used by the RAF and designated Mustang Mk IV.

The P-51D became the most widely produced variant of the Mustang. A Dallas-built version of the P-51D, designated the P-51K, was equipped with an 11 ft (3.4 m) diameter Aeroproducts propeller in place of the 11.2 ft (3.4 m) Hamilton Standard propeller.

XP-51D (NA-106), One P-51B-1-NA and two B-10-NAs modified and tested with a cut down rear fuselage and clear-blown canopy structure.[69][70] Originally designated XP-51D, the designation was later changed to P-51D-NA. P-51D-1-NA (NA-110), initial production block of 100 unassembled aircraft sent to Australia. 80 were assembled under the designation CA-17 Mustang Mk 20, while the rest were used for parts. The first four aircraft reportedly had the razorback canopy of the P-51B/C. P-51D-5-NA/NT (NA-109/111), initial production block for the USAAF. 800 NA and 200 NT aircraft built. P-51D-10-NA (NA-109), with dorsal fin to improve stability (earlier Ds and some B/Cs were modified with this).[71] 800 built. P-51D-15-NA (NA-111/122), 900 built. P-51D-20-NA/NT (NA-111/122), with K-14 gun sight. 1,600 NA and 400 NT aircraft built. P-51D-25-NA/NT (NA-122/124), with underwing racks. 1,600 NA and 800 NT aircraft built. P-51D-30-NA/NT (NA-122/124), 800 NA and 200 NT aircraft built. F-6D-NA/NT, photo reconnaissance conversions. 147 NA and 136 NT aircraft converted. Later redesignated RF-51D. TP-51D, two-seat trainer conversions. Later redesignated TF-51D. ETF-51D, prototype for a carrier-based version of the P-51. One modified from a D-5-NA. CA-18 Mustang Mk 21, Australian-built variant with V-1650-7. 26 built. CA-18 Mustang Mk 22, Australian-built photo reconnaissance variant. 14 converted from Mk 21s and an additional 14 new aircraft built.CA-18 Mustang Mk 23, Australian-built variant with Merlin 66 or 70. 66 built. CA-21 Mustang Mk 24, planned two-seat trainer variant. Orders canceled.

The photo reconnaissance versions of the P-51D and P-51K were designated F-6D and F-6K respectively. The RAF assigned the name Mustang Mk. IV to the P-51D model and Mustang Mk. IVA to P-51K models. The P-51D/P-51K started arriving in Europe in mid-1944 and quickly became the primary USAAF fighter in the theater. It was produced in larger numbers than any other Mustang variant. Nevertheless, by the end of the war, roughly half of all operational Mustangs were still P-51B or P-51C models. (Wikipedia)

P-51K (NA-111). This was a Dallas-built variation of the P-51D equipped with an Aeroproducts propeller in place of the Hamilton Standard propeller; 1,500 of these were built. The RAF received 594 P-51Ks and assigned them the name Mustang Mk. IVA. P-51K-1-NT, initial production block. 200 built. P-51K-5-NT, 400 built. P-51K-10-NT, similar to D-25-NA/NT. 600 built. P-51K-15-NT, 300 built. F-6K-NT, photo reconnaissance conversions. 163 converted.

(USAAF Photo)

XP-51F, 1944. This XP-51F is one of three built, with three-bladed Aeroproducts propeller.

XP-51F (NA-105). The designation XP-51F was assigned for prototypes powered with V-1650 engines. A small number of P-51Fs were passed to the British as the Mustang Mk V.

XP-51G (NA-105). XP-51G was assigned to those variants with reverse lend/lease Merlin RM 14.SM engines. Modifications included changes to the cowling, a simplified undercarriage with smaller wheels and disk brakes, and a larger canopy. Lightweight Mustangs had a new wing design.

XP-51J (NA-105). A third lightweight prototype powered by an Allison V-1710-119 was added to the development program. This aircraft was designated XP-51J. Since the engine was insufficiently developed, the XP-51J was loaned to Allison for engine development. None of these experimental lightweights went into production.

(USAAF Photo)

XP-51G, 1944.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

North American P-51H-10-NA Mustang (Serial No. 44-64255), 194th Fighter Squadron, California Air National Guard, 17 Feb 1952.

P-51H (NA-126). This was the final production Mustang, embodying the experience gained in the development of the XP-51F and XP-51G aircraft. This aircraft, with minor differences as the NA-129, came too late to participate in the Second World War, but it brought the development of the Mustang to a peak as one of the fastest production piston-engine fighters ever to see service. The P-51H used the V-1650-9 engine. With a new airframe several hundred pounds lighter, extra power, and a more streamlined radiator, the P-51H was faster than the P-51D, able to reach 472 mph (760 km/h; 410 kn) at 21,200 ft (6,500 m).

P-51H-1-NA (NA-126), initial production block with short tail of the P-51D. 20 built. P-51H-5-NA (NA-126), with tall tail (some H-1s were retrofitted with this tail). 280 built. P-51H-10-NA (NA-126), 255 built. NA-133, proposed navalized variant with folding wings and wingtip fuel tanks. None were built.

P-51L (NA-129). The Dallas-built version of the P-51H, the P-51L, was to utilize the 2,270 hp (1,690 kW) V-1650-11 engine. Orders for 1,445 aircraft were canceled before any were built.

P-51M (NA-124). The P-51M-1-NT was based on the P-51D-30-NA/NT, but utilized the V-1650-9A engine lacking water injection and therefore rated for lower maximum power than the -7. One was completed out of the original 1629 ordered, AAF (Serial No. 45-11743).

F-51. Redesignation of all P-51s in 1947 in the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard following establishment of the U.S. Air Force as a separate service.

F-82 Twin Mustang. Very long-range (VLR) development of the Mustang obtained by coupling two highly modified P-51H fuselages to a single wing. First flown in June 1945, it was to be the last American piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the USAF, with 272 built, and was subsequently deployed in the Korean War. (A separate page on this website is dedicated to the F-82).

(Don Ramey Logan Photo)

P-51XR. A modified P-51 air racer, 2014 designation of the custom-built Reno Air Racer "Precious Metal", which was newly built using parts from various P-51s.

Trans-Florida (Cavalier) Executive Mustang. Conversions of P-51Ds into two-seat personal transports. Cavalier 750, with approx. range of 750 miles. Cavalier 1200, with approx. range of 1,200 miles. Cavalier 1500, with approx. range of 1,500 miles. Cavalier 2000, with approx. range of 2,000 miles. Cavalier 2500, with approx. range of 2,500 miles.

Cavalier F-51D. Re-manufactured P-51Ds for export.

Cavalier Mustang II. Version of the Cavalier F-51D for close air support and counter-insurgency operations.

(NMUSAF Photo)

Piper PA-48 Enforcer. A highly modified Cavalier modification powered by a Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engine, it was originally designated Cavalier Turbo Mustang III before the project was taken over by Piper Aircraft.

North American P-51 Mustangs preserved in the USA by aircraft type, serial number, registration number and location:

(Bill Abbot Photo)

North American XP-51 Mustang (Serial No. 41-038).  This is the original XP-51, Reg. No. N51NA, EAA Air Venture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

North American XP-51 (Serial No. 41-038) was reported to be the fourth NA-73, RAF Mustang Mk. I (Serial No. AG348)). XP-51 (Serial No. 41-039), RAF (Serial No. AG354), was reported to be the tenth NA-73.

(RAF Photo)

North American NA-97 Mustang (an A-36A Mustang in the USAAF), RAF (Serial No. EW998), ex-USAAF (Serial No. 42-83685). This A-36A in RAF colours has dive brakes and the unique (among Mustangs) spear-like pitot mast/assembly.(Tom Griffiths)

(RAF Photos)

North American NA-97 Mustang (an A-36A Mustang in the USAAF), RAF (Serial No. EW998), ex-USAAF (Serial No. 42-83685). This was the RAF's only A-36A (Serial No. EW998), showing that this aircraft did not have the nose-mounted .50 cal Brownings. This was the 26th of the 500 A-36As built by NAA.

In the Italian/North African area of the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations (MTO), the RAF was provided with six A-36As by the USAAF 12th Air Force. They removed the nose guns, but left the 4 wing guns, and installed cameras in the rear fuselage. The RAF flew many missions with them. They were allocated RAF Serial Numbers and the code letters A thru F. (Tom Griffith)

North American A-36A Mustangs.  Three A-36A Mustangs still exist in the US, with one on static display at the National Museum of the U S Air Force, one with the Collings Foundation currently airworth, and one owned by the Friedkin family.

(NMUSAF Photo)

North American A-36A Apache/Mustang (Serial No. 42-83665), "Margie H" at the NMUSAF, Dayton, Ohio, in the scheme of the A-36A flown by Captain Lawrence Dye of the 16th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy.

(Goshimini Photo)

North American A-36A Apache/Mustang (Serial No. 42-83665), "Margie H" at the NMUSAF, Dayton, Ohio

North American A-36A Apache/Mustang (Serial No. 42-83738) "Baby Carmen", Collings Foundation, Stowe, Massachusetts.

North American A-36A Apache/Mustang (Serial No. 42-83731), MSN 97-15949, Reg. No. N251NA, private owner in Houston, Texas.

There are currently no examples that exist of another production Allison Mustang, the NA-91, one of an important "batch" of 150 aircraft destined for the RAF (the US wasn't in the war yet).  From the NA-91 batch, the USAAC "pulled" 57 aircraft and at first, they were "P-51 Apaches".  These fighters were armed with four 20-mm cannons in the wings (two in each wing) and the RAF designated them "Mustang Mk IA."  Fifty-five of the ones in the USAAC were converted to photo-reconnaissance aircraft, by adding two K-24 cameras to the left fuselage, behind the cockpit.  Because of the cameras modifying the role of the aircraft, the first of the 55 was first designated "P-51-1-NA" after cameras were added by NAA.  The other 54 were modified outside of NAA's factory, and they were designated "P-51-2-NA."  Because the USAAC designated photo-recon aircraft with an "F-" these 55 aircraft were then redesignated "F-6A," and many of them were later operational during the Second World War.
In mid-summer, 1942, the F-6As "Apache" was officially renamed, "Mustang," for commonality with the RAF name.  Dutch Kindelberger notified the USAAF's PR staff in a Telegram, that all aircraft of the "P-51 fighter type," would be called "Mustang," which so that included any fighter that looked like the Mustangs we know and are familiar with.  The NA-99 aircraft run, officially designated "P-51A," didn't come along until after the A-36A, and when the last P-51A was built (and those going to the RAF were designated Mustang Mk IIs), it was the last production Allison Mustang.  (Tom Griffith)

(Kogo Photo)

North American P-51A-10NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-6006), "Polar Bear", Reg. No. N51Z, John Dowd in Syracuse, Kansas. Airworthy.

"Polar Bear", now, is a much more representative aircraft in the Allison Mustang family, now that John Muszala, et al, have done a pretty comprehensive "restoration/rebuild/remodel" of her more-or-less from stem to stern.  With only a couple differences, "Polar Bear" is now physically about 95% Mustang Mk I in appearance.  She's restored as one of two NA-73s that the USAAC got from the first batch of NA-73s...specifically 41-039 which the USAAC designated as "XP-51," the same designation for 41-038, in the EAA Museum.  (Tom Griffith)

North American P-51A-10NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-6178), Reg. No. N51KW, in storage at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Goshimini Photo)

North American P-51A-10NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-6251), "Mrs. Virginia", 13, Reg. No. N4235Y, Planes of Fame in Chino, California. Airworthy.

(USAAF Photo)

North American P-51A Mustang (NA-99) Fitted with Allison V-1710-39 engine. A photoreconnaissance P-51 Mustang with a very unusual dazzle camouflage, pictured in 1942. This example is also armed with four 20 mm cannons.

(USAAF Photo)

North American F-6C Mustang (Serial No. 42-103--), CO, "Big Momma", 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, ca 1944.  In June 1943 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flying Allison engined F-6A or F-6B Mustangs (taken from a British order of Mk. IAs), became the eyes of the 7th Army in Sicily, on Operation Husky.  They were temporarily assigned to the 5th Army in Italy, but returned in July 1944 in time to support the 7th Army’s invasion of southern France, on Operation Dragoon.  In addition to the older F-6A and F-6B Mustangs, they began receiving F-6C Mustangs (the photo recon version of the P-51C).  The 111th remained with the 7th Army through the end of the war.  From VE Day until December 1945, the Squadron served in the occupation force, and conducted postwar photo-mapping of the devastation in France.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American P-51A-10NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-6274), c/n 99-22377, H, Reg. No. N90358, restored as an F-6A, 67th Reconnaissance Group, unnamed, Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.  Early RAF Mustang I aircraft were fitted with an F.24 camera mounted obliquely behind the pilot's seat.  The USAAF followed the RAF example by fitting a pair of K-24 cameras to fifty seven examples of the P-51 as the F(Foto)-6A, followed by thirty five F-6Bs converted from P-51As, and 136 P-51Ds converted into F-6Ds.

(NASA Photo)

North American P-51B-1-NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-12491), at NACA Langley Field, Virginia, 1945.

(USAAF Photo)

North American P-51B Mustang (Serial No. 43-6999), coded B-B6.

North American P-51C-1NT Mustang (Serial No. 42-103100), Reg. No. N426QA, being restored to airworthy status by John Muszala, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

(Paul Nelhams Photo)

(RadioFan Photo)

North American P-51C Mustang (Serial No. 42-103645), "Tuskegee Airmen", Reg. No.  NL61429, Commemorative Air Force (Red Tail Squadron) in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Airworthy.

(USAAF Photo)

North American P-51D Mustang (Serial No. unknown), N-3, wearing signature red tail of the 332nd Fighter Group known as the Tuskegee Airmen, ca 1945.  The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; the P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.

North American P-51C Mustang (Serial No. 42-103740), Reg. No. N309PV, being restored to airworthy status by The Oklahoma Museum of Flying in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

(USAAF Photo)

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 42-103896), 311th Fighter Group, 14th Air Force, escorting Douglas C-47 Skytrains over China on 24 July 1945.

North American P-51C Mustang (Serial No. 43-6859), Reg. No. NX5528N, being restored to airworthy status by Warren Pietsch in Minot, North Dakota.

(Anthony92931 Photo)

(Goshimini Photo)

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 42-103293), "Betty Jane", Reg. No. N251MX, Collings Foundation, Stow, Massachusetts.  Airworthy.

(Tech. Sgt Ben Bloker, USAF Photo)

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 42-103645), "Tuskegee Airmen", Reg. No. NL61429, Commemorative Air Force, St. Paul, Minnesota.  Airworthy.

North American P-51C-5NT Mustang (Serial No. 42-103740), Reg. No. N309PV, Brent Hisey, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

(Kogo Photo)

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 42-103831), "Ina the Macon Belle", Reg.No. N1204, Kermit Weeks, Fantasy of Flight, Polk City, Florida.  Airworthy.

(USAAF Photo No. 080306-f-3927A-059)

North American P-51B-1NA Mustang, USAAF (Serial No. 43-12433), coded AJ-M, "Miss Pea Ridge", flown by Mack Tyner with the 356th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group.  This aircraft was originally destined for the Royal Air Force as a Mustang Mk. III, (Serial No. FX905).  It did not serve with the RAF but was returned to the USAAF on 30 December 1943.

(RAF Photo)

RAF North American Mustang Mk. IIIs of No 19 Squadron based at Ford, Sussex. Note the white paint on the nose and wing stripes to prevent mis-identification as Me 109s,21 April 1944.

(Mark Wagner Photo

(Articseahorse Photo)

North American P-51B-10NA Mustang (Serial No. 42-106638), "Impatient Virgin", Reg. No. N5087F, Historic Flight Foundation in Everett, Washington. Airworthy.

(USAAF Photo)

North American P-51B-10NA Mustang (Serial No. 42-106772), pilot of the 363rd Fighter Group sitting on the wing of his figher coded B3-M, 1943.

(USAAF Photo)

North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang (Serial No. 42-106811), "SUZY-G".

(USGOV-PD Photo)

North American P-51B-1NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-12252), coded L5, 4th Fighter Group (Single Engine). Hillsborough Army Airfield, Florida 17 April 1944.

North American P-51B-1NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-12252), "Old Crow", Reg. No. N551E, Jack Roush, JRM Investments LLC in Livonia, Michigan.  Airworthy.

North American P-51B-15NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-24760), Reg. No. NX28388, in storage, Mike Coutches, Hayward, California.

(Airwolfhound Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American P-51B-1NA Mustang (Serial No. 43-24837), c/n 104-25866, painted as (Serial No. 43-24823), "Berlin Express", Reg. No. N515ZB,  Comanche Fighters, Maverick Air LLC in Houston, Texas.  Airworthy.

(NASM Photo)

Donald S. Lopez sits inside the cockpit of his P-51C Mustang "Lope's Hope III", in Chiahkiang, China, 11 Nov 1944.

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 43-24907), "Lope's Hope", Reg. No. N6555B, May Mustang C LLC, Minot, North Dakota.  Airworthy.

(USAAF Photo)

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 43-25050), 503rd FS, 339th FG, 8th AF, assigned to 1st Lt. Esteban A. Terrats, RAF Fowlmere, England, 1945.

(Goshimini Photo)

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 43-25057), painted as (Serial No. 36819), "Boise Bee", B-QP, Reg. No. N4651C, Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, Idaho.  Airworthy.

(Tim Felce Airwolfhound Photo)

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 43-25147), "Princess Elizabeth", Reg. No. N487FS, Dan Friedkin, Comanche Fighters LLC in Houston, Texas.  Airworthy.

(Eric Salard Photo)

North American P-51C-10NT Mustang (Serial No. 44-10947), "Excalibur III", Reg. No. N1202.  This aircraft is preserved in the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia.

Mustang Development.