The North American P-51 Mustang is regarded by many as one of the most iconic American fighters of the Second World War. Designed to fulfil an RAF specification, the Mustang was transformed once the Rolls Royce Merlin engine was installed. The P-51D model"s long range and excellent firepower made it a superb escort fighter, able to protect the bombers all the way to Berlin and back.

The P-51 is recorded as being the top scoring Allied fighter of the war with 4,950 enemy aircraft destroyed. In 1948 the type designation for the Mustang changed to F-51D and it continued in USAF and RAAF service as a ground attack aircraft through the Korean War.