View source for North American P-51 Mustang

{{infobox aircraft
| image           = [[File:North_American_P-51.jpg]]
| caption         =
| image2          = [[File:North_American_P-51_2.jpg]]
| caption2        = Post WW2 CAC Mustangs in formation
| aircrafttype    = long range fighter
| aircraftrole    = Aerial combat and ground support
| aircraftdesigner = RAAF / North American
| aircraftmanufacturer = North American Aviation
| aircraftproduced = 15,000+
| aircraftnumberbuilt = 8,956 D Models
| aircraftprimaryusers = US Army Air Force; RAF; RAAF; RNZAF; RCAF
| aircraftinservice = January 1942 RAF
| aircraftoutofservice = 1984 (Dominican Air Force)
}}

==Remarks==
In 1943, the Australian government arranged for the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) to manufacture the Mustang Mk IV (P-51D) under licence from North American Aviation. The first CAC Mustangs were built mainly from imported semi-finished parts, but none saw operational service prior to the conclussion of WW2 bu served in Japan and Korea.

After the P-51 was paired with the proven Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the aircraft became an enormous success. The P-51D models became one of the finest Allied fighters of World War II, and was just as capable at long-range escort as short ground-attack sorties. Fitted with a bubble canopy in place of the earlier 'Razorback' fuselage, the P-51D was the most widely produced version of the Mustang, with 8,956 built. The aircraft operated by the RAAF were supplied under lend-lease arrangements, assembled in Australia.

==General characteristics==

*Crew: one
*Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83m)
*Wingspan: 37 ft (11m)
*Height: 13 ft 4.5 in (4.08m)
*Empty weight: 7,635 lbs (3,464 kg)
*Max takeoff weight: 12,000 lbs (5,488 kg)
*Powerplant: 1 × Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-7 Merlin
*Maximum speed: 440 mph (710 km/h)
*Range: 1,650 miles (2,660 km)
*Service ceiling: 41,900 ft (12,800 m)
*Armament
*Guns: 6 x 0.50 caliber AN/M2 Browning machine guns
*Bombs: 1 x 100lb (45kg) or 1 x 250 ln (110kg) or 500lb bomb on a hard point undereach wing

==Crew members==


[[category:Aircraft]]