How many planes did the P-51 Mustang shot down?

How many planes did the P-51 Mustang shot down?

In combat, they destroyed nearly 6,000 enemy aircraft, making the Mustang the deadliest Allied fighter of World War II.

Was the P-51 Mustang a good plane?

The long-range P-51 Mustang fighter was invaluable to the Allied victory, enabling resumption of strategic bombing after heavy losses suffered by unescorted bombers in 1943. Developed for export to Britain, models modified by the British to use Rolls-Royce Merlin engines became America’s most capable wartime fighters.

What made the P-51 so good?

The Mustang, with its high speed, long-range, low-cost, and six . 50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns, made it the ideal fighter for the job. The P-51 dominated air combat in Europe, destroying nearly 5,000 enemy aircraft. It was also a very capable fighter-bomber and could carry 1,000 pounds of bombs and rockets.

Why is the P-51 called a Mustang?

The vast majority of automotive historians accept that the Mustang was named after the P-51 fighter from WWII. ​Ford designer John Najjar was involved in the design of the Mustang prototype and was also a big fan of the P-51.

Is Spitfire better than Mustang?

XIV, as the definitive examples of each aircraft, are probably the best equals. A Rolls-Royce Griffon, the engine that powered the MKXIV Spitfire to a top speed of 437mph. In most cases, the Spitfire had better performance as an all-purpose fighter….Mustang Vs. Spitfire – Which Was Best?

Aircraft Mustang Spitfire
Number Built 16,000 20,300

How much ammo did a P-51 carry?

The P-51D was armed with six 50 cal. Browning machine guns with a total of 1880, 400 rounds each inboard and 270 rounds each outboard.

Where were p51s built?

The P-51 Mustang was built by North American Aviation (NAA) and produced in their factories in Inglewood California and Dallas, Texas. The engineering prototype was designed and built in 102 days. The Mustang incorporated the new NACA designed laminar flow wing.

What was the deadliest plane in WW2?

The 10 Deadliest Planes of World War II

  • Nakajima B5N.
  • Vought F4U Corsair. …
  • Supermarine Spitfire. …
  • Messerschmitt Bf 109. …
  • Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Plane Type: Fighter-Bomber. …
  • P-51 Mustang. Plane Type: Fighter, Ground Attack Fighter-Bomber. …
  • Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. Plane Type: Fighter. …
  • Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.

Was the Spitfire the fastest plane in WW2?

Supermarine Spitfire The Spitfire was one of the most-used Allied fighter planes in WWII, although its use extended before and after the war as well. The plane reached it’s record speed of 606 mph at a 45-degree dive in 1943; it was later estimated to have reached 690 mph in a dive following the war in 1952.

How many seconds of ammunition did the Spitfires have?

The first Spitfires had the ‘A’ wing, with eight Browning machine guns firing 1,200 . 303″ bullets a minute. Each gun had three hundred and fifty rounds, so the Spitfire could fire for about seventeen or eighteen seconds. About ten to twenty seconds in total, though in reality it would be the total of several bursts.

How much ammo did a Mustang carry?

There were 16,776 P-51 Mustangs produced in various models. The P-51D model with the “bubble” canopy and Rolls Royce Merlin engine was the most widely produced variant of the Mustang. The P-51D was armed with six 50 cal. Browning machine guns with a total of 1880, 400 rounds each inboard and 270 rounds each outboard.

How many p51s are still flying?

There are only around 175 Mustangs still flying, with roughly 150 of those in the U.S. About 100 other Mustangs are on display in museums. More than 15,000 rolled off North American Aviation assembly lines in California and Texas during World War II.

When did the p 51 enter service?

The P-51 prototype was ready on September 9, 1940, and it first flew October 26, 1940. It was an astonishing accomplishment for North American: they had delivered a brand new, prototype aircraft in a mere 102 days and flew it weeks later. The British accepted the plane into service, and gave it its famous “Mustang” nickname.

How many P51 built?

The North American P-51 was born when the British Government showed interest in purchasing the Curtiss P-40C. Curtiss was at max production capacity, so the British inquired to North American Aviation if they would build it under license for them.

How fast is the P51?

Their design, dubbed Mustang by the British, had a low-drag laminar-flow wing and an efficient low-drag engine cooling system that gave it exceptional speed and range. It had a maximum speed of about 390 miles (630 km) per hour and a combat range of roughly 750 miles (1,200 km).

How many p 51 Mustangs were made?

There were 16,776 P-51 Mustangs produced in various models. The P-51D model with the “bubble” canopy and Rolls Royce Merlin engine was the most widely produced variant of the Mustang. The P-51D was armed with six 50 cal. Browning machine guns with a total of 1880, 400 rounds each inboard and 270 rounds each outboard.