United States American Fighter Mustang P51D5 (PBR)

The United States Air Force's first all-jet fighter, the P-51, had an unusual design. Although intended as a high-altitude bomber escort aircraft, its laminar flow wing and efficient engine performance enabled it to excel in low altitude dogfight scenarios as well.

In the early 1940s, North American Aviation created two drastically modified P-51s: P-51B and C. At first, these machines were assembled at their Inglewood plant in California but due to increasing demand for these specialized machines production was transferred to Dallas plant in Texas.

In 1943, North American began manufacturing P-51Bs with Packard-built Merlin engines to improve high-altitude performance. This engine also gave the Mustang a faster top speed than earlier models and an extended operating range.

Though not yet up to par with the Allison V-1710-C, the Merlin was still superior to P-51B's Lycoming YF12A-E4 engine which could only reach a top speed of 405 mph and cruise range of more than 800 miles (1,001 kilometers).

The new, supercharged Rolls-Royce Merlin was an ideal choice for the P-51, due to its high efficiency mechanical supercharger which enabled it to perform efficiently at low altitudes even in strong winds. This gave the AAF an edge during dogfights and made the Merlin-powered P-51 the primary fighter aircraft in American theater of operations.

Hi-realistic 3d-model with textures.