Unknown by many of today's warbird lovers, the North American P-51 Mustang was not originally developed for the United States. In 1940, it was the British who contracted with North American Aviation to design and build an advanced fighter in just 120 days that could help Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF). It would be faster, nimbler and carry nearly twice as much fuel as the Spitfire. Add a 75 gallon droppable belly tank and the new Mustang would have over six hours of range. The original P-51s were fitted with the Allison V1710 engine but lacked power and range at high altitudes. A suggestion from the British modified the P51 with the Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine and was designated the P-51B (and subsequent P-51C and most popular P51D Models). Compared to the Allison, the Merlin offered an automatic two-stage barometric blower system giving it an increase in speed of over 100mph at 30,000 feet. The Mustang is credited with destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft holding top honor of all fighter aircraft in Europe.
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