 |
Home | |
About | |
Exhibits | |
Mystery Plane | |
Pilots | |
Store | |
Toys | |
Membership | |
Volunteers In Action | |
Valpo EAA | |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Mustang History After having tested the modified plane, the Army Air Corps decided to adopt this model, termed the P-51D, as their new superfighter, and had the British Merlin engine mass-produced under license by the Packard Motor Company. This new fighter was introduced to the American pilots in November of 1944, and it really caught their eye. Immediately the pilots began flying the plane and becoming familiar with it, while also adding their personal nose art. The P-51D had also been fitted with detachable wing fuel tanks that made this fighter a long-range one. Thus, the P-51 became the first fighter capable of escorting heavy bombers to distant targets, such as in Germany, fight if necessary, and still return home. This was a great need for bombers, because of their 20% loss rate to Luftwaffe fighters. Even though the crew chief would turn through 12 blades (same as number of engine cylinders) before starting to insure lubrication and engine readiness, the P-51's always took off long after the bombers had taken off for a mission - even after the bombers were forming up. The P-51 pilots rose early, had breakfast, and then met in the "ready room" prior to escort duty. Generally, P-51's took off in pairs, and then formed up in fours to fly a "finger formation." Holding up four fingers (minus thumb) showed this formation. The leader was the farthest forward, with a wingman beside him. Then the element leader had his wingman. This is the formation that was utilized until enemy fighters were seen, and then they would split up for combat. The B-17 bombers termed "Big Friends" were escorted by the fighters termed "Little Friends." In combat with German Luftwaffe fighters, the P-51D proved to be significantly superior to the ME109, both in speed and handling, but only slightly superior to the FW190. In the latter case, the pilots' experience and skills determined the outcome. Eventually the P-51 won air superiority over Germany, and on missions, the P-51's would "drop to the deck" and begin strafing ground targets (planes, trains, trucks, etc.) When Herman Goering, the head of the Luftwaffe, saw the gallant and sleek P-51 over Berlin he said, "The war is lost." A very unique squadron of pilots existed that flew P-51's. These pilots were all African-American/negro. They had the same skills and talents as other P-51 pilots, but had a different skin color, so were thus discriminated against. In proving their skills, the black pilots utilized a different strategy while escorting bombers. They stayed with their box of bombers, and did not chase after fighters, as white pilots did, since a kill earned money and prestige. Hence, the Tuskeegee Airmen were preferred by bomber pilots as escorts because of their impeccable protection, as skin color no longer made a difference to the B-17 pilots, as it shouldn't have to begin with. Please sign our Guest Book and add your comments. |
||||||
So come see the Museum -
 | ||
 | ||
|
Contact the Webmaster © Copyright 2001 Indiana Aviation Museum. All rights reserved. 4601 Murvihill Rd. Valparaiso, IN 46383 Phone: 219.548.3123 Site maintained by IAM volunteers |
Top of Page | |
