Mantelli – Brown – Kittel – Graf 
North American P-51 Mustang [EPUB ebook] 

The Mustang is considered the best fighter of World War II. The outstanding flight characteristics of this elegant aircraft were due to the adoption of a wing profile laminar (particularly designed for high speeds) and other measures which concerned the radiator and the careful study of the various components for quick construction on an industrial scale. Capable of reaching high altitudes, was also used in the escort bombers. In addition to the United States was exported to many foreign countries that have employed, in some cases, until the ’70s. Entered service with the A.M. in 1948, replacing the now exhausted Spitfire line hunting.
Although the first models, equipped with Allison engine cylinders in line, they were, good low-altitude aircraft, it was only with the adoption of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, mounted on later models, the Mustang was able to give the best of himself.
The essential simplicity of the design, coupled with a pleasant look and aerodynamic, constituted a great potential for development and the consequence was that the Mustang excelled in two fields: powerful fighter bomber operating at low altitude and high altitude escort fighter with long range . In the first as the Mustang was able to develop a formidable firepower, including the firing of rockets and bombs; in the second role, thanks to extra tanks that were dropped when empty, was the first Allied fighter escort to make raid down over Berlin and Tokyo.
In every respect the Mustang was a big plane, much loved by the pilots and crews of the escorting bombers and greatly feared by the Japanese and German pilots. With the engine Merlin Mustang had phenomenal qualities of speed both up and acceleration. All this, combined with excellent maneuverability, made him a fighter truly superlative performance.