Mustang USAAF 55th FS 1

The North American P-51 Mustang was designed for the RAF early in WW2. It entered combat service in 1942 and proved to be good at low altitude but lacking above 15,000 feet. The RAF's Fighter Development Unit fitted some Mustangs with Rolls Royce Merlin engines and it proved to be a stroke of genius - The Mustang was now faster than almost anything and could reach over 40,000 feet altitude. The USAF became interested, and North American began producing Mustangs with a Packard Merlin engine as a new fighter to escort bombers on long-range missions.

This example is a P-51D of the 55th Fighter Squadron 1945.