Reconnaissance Units North American P-51 Mustang photo gallery

USAAF 8th Air Force emblem

Reconnaissance Units

P-51 Mustang photo gallery header

7th Reconnaissance Group

Constituted as 7th Photographic Group on 5 Feb 1943. Activated on 1 May 1943. Redesignated 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group in May 1943, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) in Nov 1943, and 7th Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to England on 7 Jul 1943 and assigned to Eighth AF. Used Spitfires and L-5's to obtain information about bombardment targets and damage inflicted by bombardment operations; provide mapping service for air and ground units; observe and report on enemy transportation, installations, and positions; and obtain data on weather conditions. Prior to Jun 1944, photographed airfields, cities, industrial establishments, and ports in France, the Low Countries, and Germany. Received a DUC for operations during the period, 31 May-30 Jun 1944, when its coverage of bridges, marshalling yards, canals, highways, rivers, and other targets contributed much to the success of the Normandy campaign. Covered missile sites in France during Jul, and in Aug carried out photographic mapping missions for ground forces advancing across France. Provided reconnaissance support for the airborne attack on Holland in Sep and for the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Used P-51's to escort its own reconnaissance planes during the last months of the war as the group supported the Allied drive across the Rhine and into Germany. Took part in the final bomb-damage assessment following V-E Day. Inactivated in England on 21 Nov 1945. Disbanded on 6 Mar 1947.

Squadrons. 13th: 1943-1945. 14th: 1943-1945. 22d: 1943-1945. 27th: 1943-1945. 28th: 1943. 29th: 1943. 30th: 1943.

Stations. Peterson Field, Colo, 1 May-7 Jul 1943; Mount Farm, England, 7 Jul 1943; Chalgrove, England, Mar 1945; Hitcham, England, Oct-21 Nov 1945.

Commanders. Col James G Hall, 7 Jul 1943; Col Homer L Saunders, Sep 1943; Col Paul T Cullen, 1 Jan 1944; Lt Col George A Lawson, 17 Feb 1944; Lt Col Norris E Hartwell, 7 May 1944; Lt Col Clarence A Shoap, 9 Aug 1944; Col George W Humbrecht, Oct 1944; Maj Hubert M Childress, 18 Jun 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: France, 31 May-30 Jun 1944. French Croix de Guerre With Palm: 1944.

Insigne. None.

USAAF 9th Air Force emblem

P-51 Mustang photo gallery header

10th Reconnaissance Group

Constituted as 73rd Observation Group on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 1 Sep 1941. Engaged in training activities, participating in the Tennessee Maneuvers in 1943. Redesignated 73rd Reconnaissance Group in Apr 1943, 73rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Aug 1943, and 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) in Dec 1943. Moved to the European theater, Jan-Feb 1944, for duty with Ninth AF. Used F-3, F-5, F-6, L-1, L-4, and L-5 aircraft for operations, Feb 1944-May 1945. Photographed airfields, coastal defenses, and ports, and made bomb-damage assessment photographs of airfields, marshalling yards, bridges, and other targets, in preparation for the Normandy invasion; received a DUC for flying at low altitude to photograph the coast from Blankenberghe to Dunkirk and from Le Touquet to St-Vaast-la-Hougue, 6-20 May 1944. Supported the invasion in Jun by making visual and photographic reconnaissance of bridges, artillery, road and railroad junctions, traffic centers, airfields, and other targets. Assisted the Allied drive toward the German border during the summer and early fall of 1944 by flying daylight and night photographic missions; also performed tactical reconnaissance for ground and air units, directing artillery to enemy positions and fighter-bombers to opportune targets. Aided Third Army and other Allied organizations in the battle to breach the Siegfried Line, Sep-Dec 1944. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, by flying reconnaissance missions in the combat zone. From Feb 1945 to V-E Day, assisted the advance of Third Army across the Rhine, to Czechoslovakia, and into Austria. Remained in Germany after the war as part of the army of occupation, being assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Redesignated 10th Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in Jun 1947.

Remanned and equipped with RF-51's. Redesignated 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1948. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1949.

Activated in Germany on 10 Jul 1952. Assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Equipped with RB-26, RB-57, RF-80, and RF-84 aircraft.

Squadrons. 1st: 1945-1949; 1952-. 12th: 1941-1942, 1944-1946. 14th: 1943. 15th (formerly Observation): 1942-1943, 1944-1945, 1947-1949. 15th (formerly Photographic): 1947. 16th: 1941-1942. 22d: 1941-1942. 30th: 1944. 31st: 1944-1945. 32d: 1952-. 33d: 1944. 34th: 1944, 1945. 36th (formerly 28th): 1942-1943. 38th: 1952-. 39th: 1945. 42d: 1952-. 91st: 1941-1942, 1942-1943. 111th: 1945. 152d: 1943. 155th (formerly 423rd, later 45th): 1944-1945, 1945-1947. 160th: 1945-1947. 162d: 1945.

Stations. Harrisburg, Pa, 1 Sep 1941; Godman Field, Ky, c. 7 Nov 1941; Camp Campbell AAFld Ky c. 23 Jun 1943; Key Field, Miss, Nov 1943-Jan 1944; Chalgrove, England, Feb 1944; Rennes/St-Jacques, France, c. 11 Aug 1944; Chateau-dun, France, c. 24 Aug 1944; St-Dizier/Robinson, France Sep 1944; Conflans/Doncourt, France, Nov 1944; Trier/Evren, Germany, Mar 1945; Ober Olm, Germany, c. 5 Apr 1945; Furth, Germany, c. 28 Apr 1945; Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, Apr-Jun 1947; Langley Field, Va, 25 Jun 1947; Lawson Field, Ga, c. 8 Sep 1947; Pope Field, NC, 27 Sep 1947-1 Apr 1949. Furstenfeldbruck AB, Germany, 10 Jul 1952; Toul/Rosiere AB, France, Nov 1952; Spangdahlem AB, Germany, May 1953-.

Commanders. Maj Edgar M Scattergood Jr, 1 Sep 1941; Lt Col John C Kennedy, c. 6 Nov 1941; Capt Phillip H Hatch, c. 24 Jan 1942; Lt Col Robert M Lee, c. 9 Feb 1942; Maj Burton L Austin, c. 26 Dec 1942; Lt Col Bernard C Rose, c. 19 Jan 1943; Lt Col Crawford H Hollidge, c. 28 Jan 1943; Maj William A Daniel, c. 4 Aug 1943; Col William B Reed, 9 Sep 1943; Col Russell A Berg, 20 Jun 1944-unkn; Lt Col W D Hayes Jr, 1945; Col Marvin S Zipp, 11 Jan 1946-19 Jun 1947; Lt Col James L Rose, 1 Oct 1947; Lt Col Harrison R Christy Jr, 16 Dec 1947; Lt Col Edward O McComas, 6 Jan 1948; Col William A Daniel, 26 Jan 1948-unkn. Lt Col Barnie B McEntire Jr, 10 Jul 1952; Col Willie O Jackson Jr, Dec 1952; Lt Col Steven R Wilkerson, c. 22 Sep 1953; Col Howard Withycombe, 23 Feb 1954; Col Arthur E Smith, 13 Jul 1954; Col Fred W Dyer, c. 23 Jun 1955-.

Campaigns. American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: France, 6-20 May 1944.

Insigne Shield: Azure a sphere or, latitude and longitude lines sable, in chief the head and arms of the Greek mythical god Argus, head facing base, arms fesswise both hands toward dexter of the second, outlined of the field. Motto: Argus - Ceaseless Watch. (Approved 29 Dec 1942.)

67th Reconnaissance Group

Constituted as 67th Observation Group on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 1 Sep 1941. Flew antisubmarine patrols along the east coast of the US after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Began training in Jan 1942 for duty overseas. Moved to the European theater, Aug-Oct 1942. Assigned first to Eighth and later (Oct 1943) to Ninth AF. Redesignated 67th Reconnaissance Group in May 1943, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Nov 1943, and 67th Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945. Trained in England for more than a year before beginning operations in Dec 1943. Used P-38's, P-51's, and F-5's to fly artillery-adjustment, weather-reconnaissance, bomb-damage assessment, photographic-reconnaissance, and visual-reconnaissance missions. Received a DUC for operations along the coast of France, 15 Feb-20 Mar 1944, when the group flew at low altitude in the face of intense flak to obtain photographs that aided the invasion of the Continent. Flew weather missions, made visual reconnaissance for ground forces, and photographed enemy positions to support the Normandy campaign and later to assist First Army and other Allied forces in the drive to Germany. Took part in the offensive against the Siegfried Line, Sep-Dec 1944, and in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. From Jan to May 1945, photographed dams on the Roer River in preparation for the ground offensive to cross the river, and aided the Allied assault across the Rhine and into Germany. Returned to the US, Jul-Sep 1945. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946.

Activated on 19 May 1947. Assigned to Tactical Air Command. Equipped with RB-26's and RF-80's. Redesignated 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in June 1948. Inactivated on 28 Mar 1949.

Activated in Japan on 25 Feb 1951. Assigned to Far East Air Forces. Moved to Korea in Mar 1951 and served in the Korean War until the armistice. Used RB-26, RF-51, RF-80, RF-86, and RF-84 aircraft. Made photographic reconnaissance of front lines, enemy positions, and installations; took pre-strike and bomb damage assessment photographs; made visual reconnaissance of enemy artillery and naval gun positions; and flew weather missions. Received an AFOUA for the period 1 Dec 1952-30 Apr 1953 when, in the face of enemy opposition and adverse weather, the group performed reconnaissance missions on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis to provide valuable intelligence for UN forces. Returned to Japan, Nov-Dec 1954.

Squadrons. 11th: 1946; 1947-1949; 1953-. 12th: 1942-1944; 1947-1949; 1951-. 15th (formerly Observation): 1944; 1951-. 15th (formerly Photographic): 1947. 30th: 1944-1945. 33d: 1944, 1945. 45th: 1951-. 107th: 1941-1945. 109th: 1941-1945. 113th: 1941-1942. 153d: 1941-1944. 161st: 1945.

Stations. Esler Field, La, 1 Sep 1941; Charleston, SC, Dec 1941; Esler Field, La, Jan-Aug 1942; Membury, England, Sep 1942; Middle Wallop, England, Dec 1943; Le Molay, France, Jul 1944; Toussus le Noble, France, Aug 1944; Gosselies, Belgium, Sep 1944; Vogelsang, Germany, Mar 1945; Limburg an der Lahn, Germany, c. 2 Apr 1945; Eschwege, Germany, c. 10 Apr-Jul 1945; Drew Field, Fla, c. 21 Sep 1945; MacDill Field, Fla, Dec 1945; Shaw Field, SC, Feb-31 Mar 1946. Langley Field, Va, 19 May 1947; March Field, Calif, c. 25 Jul 1947-28 Mar 1949. Komaki, Japan, 25 Feb 1951; Taegu, Korea, Mar 1951; Kimpo, Korea, Aug 1951; Itami, Japan, c. 1 Dec 1954-.

Commanders. Unkn, Sep-Nov 1941; Lt Col Oliver H Stout, c. 21 Nov 1941; Col Frederick R Anderson, c. 4 May 1942; Col George W Peck, 6 Dec 1943; Lt Col Richard S Leghorn, 11 May 1945-unkn. Unkn, May-Jul 1947; Maj Edwin C Larson, 25 Jul 1947; Lt Col Arvis L Hilpert, 15 Aug 1947; Col Leon W Gray, 16 Aug 1947; Lt Col Royal B Allison, 20 Mar 1948; Col Horace A Hanes, 22 Mar 1948; Col Loren G McCollom, c. 16 Jan 1949-unkn. Col Jacob W Dixon, c. 28 Feb 1951; Lt Col Stone, c. 29 Aug 1951; Col Charles C Andrews, Sep 1951; Col Robert R Smith, May 1952; Lt Col George T Prior, Oct 1952; Col John G Foster, 1952-unkn; Col John C Egan, c. 22 Oct 1953; Lt Col Hartwell C Lancaster, 8 May 1954; Col Loren G McCollom, 1 June 1954; Col Prescott M Spicer, 11 Aug 1954; Lt Col Joseph C Smith, 24 Nov 1954-unkn; Col John W Baer, 31 Aug 1955-.

Campaigns. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe. Korean War: 1st UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953.

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Le Havre and Straits of Dover, 15 Feb-20 Mar 1944; Korea, 25 Feb-21 Apr 1951; Korea, 9 Jul-27 Nov 1951; Korea, 1 May-27 Jul 1953. Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-30 Sep 1944; 16 Dec 1944-25 Jan 1945. Belgian Fourragere. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [Mar] 1951-31 Mar 1953. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 1 Dec 1952-30 Apr 1953.

Insigne Shield: Per bend sinister, sky proper (light blue) and azure between a lightning bolt gules, fimbriated sable, in bend sinister, the quarter section of a sun, issuing from the dexter chief, or, fimbriated sable, in sinister four stars argent, one, two and one, all the shield within a diminutive border sable. Motto: Lux Ex Tenebris - Light from Darkness. (Approved 20 Mar 1952.)

USAAF 68th Reconnaissance Group emblem

68th Reconnaissance Group

Constituted as 68th Observation Group on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 1 Sep 1941. Redesignated 68th Reconnaissance Group in May 1943, and 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Nov 1943. Flew patrols over the Gulf of Mexico and along the Mexican border after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Began training in Feb 1942 for duty overseas. Moved to the Mediterranean theater, Oct-Nov 1942, and assigned to Twelfth AF. Shortly after the group began operations most of its squadrons were detached for separate duty in order to carry out diverse activities over a wide area. Operating from bases in North Africa until Nov 1943, the group, or elements of the group, engaged in patrolling the Mediterranean; strafing trucks, tanks, gun positions, and supply dumps to support ground troops in Tunisia; training fighter pilots and replacement crews; and flying photographic and visual reconnaissance missions in Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy to provide information needed to adjust artillery fire. Moved to Italy and assigned to Fifteenth AF, in Nov 1943. Continued visual and photographic reconnaissance and began flying weather reconnaissance missions in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans. Also engaged in electronic-countermeasure activities, investigating radar equipment captured from the enemy, flying ferret missions along the coasts of Italy and southern France, and accompanying bomber formations to detect approaching enemy fighters. Used P-38, P-39, P-40, P-51, A-20, A-36, B-17, and B-24 aircraft for operations. Returned to North Africa in Apr 1944. Disbanded on 15 Jun 1944.

Reconstituted, redesignated 68th Reconnaissance Group, and allotted to the reserve, on 10 Mar 1947. Activated in the US on 9 Apr 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949.

Redesignated 68th Strategic Reconnaissance Group (Medium). Activated on 10 Oct 1951. Assigned to Strategic Air Command. Trained with B-29's. Inactivated on 16 Jun 1952.

Squadrons. 16th: 1942-1944. 24th: 1947-1949; 1951-1952. 51st: 1947-1949; 1951-1952. 52d: 1947-1949; 1951-1952. 111th: 1942-1944. 122d: 1941-1944. 125th: 1941-1942. 127th: 1941-1942. 154th: 1941-1944.

Stations. Brownwood, Tex, 1 Sep 1941; New Orleans AB, La, 17 Dec 1941; Daniel Field, Ga, 8 Feb 1942; Smith Reynolds Aprt, NC, 9 Jul 1942; Morris Field, NC, c. 17 Aug-18 Oct 1942; Casablanca, French Morocco, Nov 1942; Oujda, French Morocco, c. Nov 1942; Berrechid Airfield, French Morocco, 24 Mar 1943; Berteaux, Algeria, 5 Sep 1943; Massicault, Tunisia, Oct 1943; Manduria, Italy, Nov 1943; Blida, Algeria, c. Apr-15 Jun 1944. Hamilton Field, Calif, 9 Apr 1947-27 Jun 1949. Lake Charles AFB, La, 10 Oct 1951-16 Jun 1952.

Commanders. Unkn, Sep-Dec 1941; Lt Col Guy L McNeil, 15 Dec 1941; Maj John R Fordyce, 30 Jun 1942; Lt Col Eugene C Woltz, 13 Mar 1943; Col Charles D Jones, 8 Aug 1943-c. 15 Jan 1944; Capt Harper L McGrady, unkn; Col Smith, unkn; Col Monro MacCloskey, Marc. May 1944. Col Lowell G Sidling, 26 Oct 1951-c. 16 Jun 1952.

Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno.

Decorations. None.

Insigne Shield: Azure, an eye of the first surmounting a tuft of six feathers, imposed on a tuft of eight feathers, between and at the base of two wings conjoined in the form of a "V" or. Motto: Victoria Per Observatiam - Victory through Observation. (Approved 17 Sep 1942. This insigne was replaced 3 Oct 1952.)

69th Reconnaissance Group

Constituted as 69th Observation Group on 21 Aug 1941. Activated on 3 Sep 1941. Redesignated 69th Reconnaissance Group in Apr 1943, and 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in Aug 1943. Used O-38, O-46, O-47, O-52, L-1, L-2, L-3, L-4, L-5, L-49, P-39, P-40, B-25, A-20, and other aircraft. Flew antisubmarine patrols along the Pacific coast after Pearl Harbor. Engaged primarily in air-ground training during 1943 and 1944. Began training with F-6's in Jan 1945 for duty overseas. Moved to France, Feb-Mar 1945. Assigned to Ninth AF. Flew visual-reconnaissance and photographic missions to provide intelligence for ground and air units. Redesignated 69th Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945. Returned to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Trained with F-6 and A-26 aircraft. Inactivated on 29 Jul 1946.

Squadrons. 10th: 1942-1946. 22d: 1945-1946. 31st: 1942-1945, 1945-1946. 34th: 1945. 37th: 1943-1944. 39th: 1946. 82d: 1941-1942. 101st (formerly 39th): 1944-1945. 102d: 1942-1944. 111th: 1945. 115th: 1941-1943.

Stations. Paso Robles, Calif, 3 Sep 1941; Salinas, Calif, c. 3 Oct 1941; San Bernardino, Calif, Dec 1941; Ontario, Calif, c. 1 Jun 1942; Laurel, Miss, Nov 1942; Esler Field, La, Mar 1943; Abilene AAFld, Tex, Sep 1943; Esler Field, La, Nov 1943; Key Field, Miss, Jan-Feb 1945; Nancy, France, c. 22 Mar 1945; Haguenau, France, c. 2 Apr-c. 30 Jun 1945; Drew Field, Fla, Aug 1945; Stuttgart AAFld, Ark, Nov 1945; Brooks Field, Tex, Dec 1945-29 Jul 1946.

Commanders. Maj William C Sams, 3 Oct 1941; Col John N Jeffers, 9 Dec 1941; Col Kenneth R Crosher, 8 Nov 1942; Maj Cecil E West, 12 May 1943; Lt Col Eugene C Woltz, 29 Sep 1943; Lt Col Arthur Fite Jr, 26 Oct 1944; Col John T Shields, 21 Jan 1945; Lt Col Richard A Morehouse, c. 20 Feb 1946; Col Russell A Berg, c. 10 Mar-29 Jul 1946.

Campaigns. Antisubmarine, American Theater; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

USAAF 12th Air Force emblem USAAF 15th Air Force emblem

XII Tactical Air Command

Constituted as XII Ground Air Support Command on 10 Sep 1942 and activated on 17 Sep. Assigned to Twelfth AF. Redesignated XII Air Support Command in Sep 1942, and XII Tactical Air Command in Apr 1944. Moved to North Africa, Oct-Nov 1942. Col Demas T Craw was awarded the Medal of Honor for action during the invasion of Algeria-French Morocco: when the Allies landed on 8 Nov 1942, Col Craw volunteered to negotiate an armistice; while trying to pass through the lines near Port Lyautey, he was killed by machine-gun fire. The command served in combat in the Mediterranean and European theaters until May 1945. Afterward, remained in Europe as part of the occupation force. Inactivated in Germany on 10 Nov 1947. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.

Wings. 5th Bombardment: 1942. 7th Fighter: 1942. 42d Bombardment: 1945. 57th Bombardment: 1943-1944. 63d Fighter: 1945. 64th Fighter (formerly 3d Air Defense): 1943-1944, 1945-1947. 70th Fighter: 1945-1947. 71st Fighter: 1945. 87th Fighter: 1944.

Stations. Birmingham, Ala, 17 Sep 1942; Bolling Field, DC, 25 Sep-18 Oct 1942; French Morocco, 9 Nov 1942; Algeria, Jan 1943; Tunisia, 13 Mar 1943; Sicily, c. 12 Jul 1943; Italy, c. 9 Sep 1943; France, 18 Aug 1944; Germany, 27 Mar 1945; Erlangen, Germany, Jul 1945; Bad Kissingen, Germany, 1 Nov 1945-10 Nov 1947.

Commanders. Col Rosenham Beam, 18 Sep 1942; Brig Gen John K Cannon, 22 Sep 1942; Col Rosenham Beam, c. 30 Dec 1942; Col Peter S Rask, 1 Jan 1943; Brig Gen Howard A Craig, 10 Jan 1943; Brig Gen Paul L Williams, 24 Jan 1943; Brig Gen John K Cannon, 12 May 1943; Col Lawrence P Hickey, 24 May 1943; Maj Gen Edwin J House, 13 Jun 1943; Brig Gen Gordon P Seville, 2 Feb 1944; Brig Gen Glenn O Barcus, 29 Jan 1945; Maj Gen William E Kepner, 3 Dec 1945; Brig Gen Glenn O Barcus, 9 Jan 1946; Brig Gen John F McBlain, 3 Aug 1946; Maj Gen Robert LeG Walsh, 27 Nov 1946; Brig Gen James M Fitzmaurice, 1 Apr-c. Oct 1947.

Campaigns. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. None.

P-51 Mustang photo gallery header

111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

With the onset of World War II, the unit was called into federal service 25 November 1940 and trained with the 36th Division at Brownwood Airfield Texas until Pearl Harbor was bombed, it was sent to the Mexican border, Fort Clark Springs Texas. The border patrol was short, and on 14 February 1942, the squadron left Texas for Daniel Field in Augusta, Georgia, and became part of the 68th Observation Group. Pilots trained on Douglas O-43A, Vultee/Stinson O-49/L-1 Vigilant and Douglas A-20B Havoc aircraft in preparation for deployment to the European Theater of Operations (ETO).

In 1942 the ground echelon and some pilots made their way to Scotland then England in preparation for landing on the Algerian beaches as part of Operation Torch, their shiny new P-39 Airacobras had to be assembled and tested before flying from England to Algeria. Some of the pilots of the 68th Group flew their A-20s directly across the Atlantic on the "Southern Route" and immediately began flying over the Mediterranean in anti-submarine patrols, sinking at least one submarine. As the invasion force moved inland, the three squadrons of the group divided up the A-20s and P-39s by squadron and the 111th took on the Fighter Reconnaissance role in the P-39.

In March 1943, the 111th left the 68th Group to defend against a possible invasion of French Morocco from Spanish Morocco while the rest of the group was selected to support the Tunisian Campaign of the Army’s II Corps. In June 1943 the newly redesignated 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flying Allison engined F-6A or F-6B Mustangs (taken from a British order of Mk IAs), became the eyes of the 7th Army in Sicily, Operation Husky. They were temporarily assigned to the 5th Army in Italy, but returned in July 1944 in time to support the 7th Army’s invasion of southern France, Operation Dragoon. In addition to the older F-6A/F-6B Mustangs, they began receiving F-6C Mustangs (the photo recon version of the P-51C). The 111th remained with the 7th Army through the end of the war. From VE Day until December 1945, the Squadron served in the occupation force, and conducted postwar photo-mapping of the devastation in France.

During 23 months of continuous combat flying, from June 1943 through May 1945, the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flew 3,840 reconnaissance missions. While keeping Army Headquarters informed of enemy movements, the 111th destroyed 44 enemy aircraft, damaged 29 others and claimed 12 probable kills. The squadron received eight Battle Stars, a Distinguished Unit Citation, and the French Croix de Guerre for its World War II accomplishments

Operational history

Operational history

Eighth Air Force bomber operations 1942-1943

The 8th Air Force started operations from Britain in August 1942. At first, because of the limited scale of operations, no conclusive evidence showed American doctrine was failing. In the 26 operations flown to the end of 1942, the loss rate had been under 2%.[50]

In January 1943, at the Casablanca Conference, the Allies formulated the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) plan for 'round-the-clock' bombing - USAAF daytime operations complementing the RAF nighttime raids on industrial centers. In June 1943, the Combined Chiefs of Staff issued the Pointblank Directive to destroy the Luftwaffe's capacity before the planned invasion of Europe, putting the CBO into full implementation. German daytime fighter efforts were, at that time, focused on the Eastern Front and several other distant locations. Initial efforts by the 8th met limited and unorganized resistance, but with every mission, the Luftwaffe moved more aircraft to the west and quickly improved their battle direction. In fall 1943, the 8th Air Force's heavy bombers conducted a series of deep-penetration raids into Germany, beyond the range of escort fighters. The Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission in August lost 60 B-17s of a force of 376, the 14 October attack lost 77 of a force of 291—26% of the attacking force.

For the US, the very concept of self-defending bombers was called into question, but instead of abandoning daylight raids and turning to night bombing, as the RAF suggested, they chose other paths; at first, bombers converted to gunships (the Boeing YB-40) was believed to be able to escort the bomber formations, but when the concept proved to be unsuccessful, thoughts then turned to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning.[51] In early 1943, the USAAF also decided that the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51B be considered for the role of a smaller escort fighter, and in July, a report stated that the P-51B was 'the most promising plane' with an endurance of 4 hours 45 minutes with the standard internal fuel of 184 gallons plus 150 gallons carried externally.[52] In August, a P-51B was fitted with an extra internal 85-gallon tank but problems with longitudinal stability occurred so some compromises in performance with the tank full were made. Since the fuel from the fuselage tank would be used during the initial stages of a mission, the fuel tank would be fitted in all Mustangs destined for VIII Fighter Command.[53]

P-51 introduction

The P-51 Mustang was a solution to the need for an effective bomber escort. It used a common, reliable engine and had internal space for a larger-than-average fuel load. With external fuel tanks, it could accompany the bombers from England to Germany and back.[54]

By the time the Pointblank offensive resumed in early 1944, matters had changed. Bomber escort defenses were initially layered, using the shorter-range P-38s and P-47s to escort the bombers during the initial stages of the raid before handing over to the P-51s when they were forced to turn for home. This provided continuous coverage during the raid. The Mustang was so clearly superior to earlier US designs that the 8th Air Force began to steadily switch its fighter groups to the Mustang, first swapping arriving P-47 groups to the 9th Air Force in exchange for those that were using P-51s, then gradually converting its Thunderbolt and Lightning groups. By the end of 1944, 14 of its 15 groups flew the Mustang.[55]

The Luftwaffe's twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters brought up to deal with the bombers proved to be easy prey for the Mustangs, and had to be quickly withdrawn from combat. The Focke-Wulf Fw 190A, already suffering from poor high-altitude performance, was outperformed by the Mustang at the B-17's altitude, and when laden with heavy bomber-hunting weapons as a replacement for the more vulnerable twin-engined Zerstörer heavy fighters, it suffered heavy losses. The Messerschmitt Bf 109 had comparable performance at high altitudes, but its lightweight airframe was even more greatly affected by increases in armament. The Mustang's much lighter armament, tuned for antifighter combat, allowed it to overcome these single-engined opponents.

Fighting the Luftwaffe

At the start of 1944, Major General James Doolittle, the new commander of the 8th Air Force, ordered many fighter pilots to stop flying in formation with the bombers and instead attack the Luftwaffe wherever it could be found. The aim was to achieve air supremacy. Mustang groups were sent far ahead of the bombers in a 'fighter sweep' to intercept attacking German fighters.

The Luftwaffe answered with the Gefechtsverband ('battle formation'). This consisted of a Sturmgruppe of heavily armed and armored Fw 190 As escorted by two Begleitgruppen of Messerschmitt Bf 109s, whose task was to keep the Mustangs away from the Fw 190 as they attacked the bombers. This strategy proved to be problematic, as the large German formation took a long time to assemble and was difficult to maneuver. It was often intercepted by the P-51 'fighter sweeps' before it could attack the bombers. However, German attacks against bombers could be effective when they did occur; the bomber-destroyer Fw 190As swept in from astern and often pressed their attacks to within 90 m (100 yd).[56]

While not always able to avoid contact with the escorts, the threat of mass attacks and later the 'company front' (eight abreast) assaults by armored Sturmgruppe Fw 190As brought an urgency to attacking the Luftwaffe wherever it could be found, either in the air or on the ground. Beginning in late February 1944, 8th Air Force fighter units began systematic strafing attacks on German airfields with increasing frequency and intensity throughout the spring, with the objective of gaining air supremacy over the Normandy battlefield. In general, these were conducted by units returning from escort missions but, beginning in March, many groups also were assigned airfield attacks instead of bomber support. The P-51, particularly with the advent of the K-14 Gyro gunsight and the development of 'Clobber Colleges'[57] for the training of fighter pilots in fall 1944, was a decisive element in Allied countermeasures against the Jagdverbände.

The numerical superiority of the USAAF fighters, superb flying characteristics of the P-51, and pilot proficiency helped cripple the Luftwaffe's fighter force. As a result, the fighter threat to the US, and later British, bombers was greatly diminished by July 1944. The RAF, long proponents of night bombing for protection, were able to reopen daylight bombing in 1944 as a result of the crippling of the Luftwaffe fighter arm. Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, commander of the German Luftwaffe during the war, was quoted as saying, 'When I saw Mustangs over Berlin, I knew the jig was up.'[58][59][54]

Beyond Pointblank

On 15 April 1944, VIII Fighter Command began 'Operation Jackpot', attacks on Luftwaffe fighter airfields. As the efficacy of these missions increased, the number of fighters at the German airbases fell to the point where they were no longer considered worthwhile targets. On 21 May, targets were expanded to include railways, locomotives, and other rolling stock used by the Germans to transport materiel and troops, in missions dubbed 'Chattanooga'.[60] The P-51 excelled at this mission, although losses were much higher on strafing missions than in air-to-air combat, partially because the Mustang's liquid-cooled engine (particularly its liquid coolant system) was vulnerable to small-arms fire, unlike the air-cooled R-2800 radials of its Republic P-47 Thunderbolt stablemates based in England, regularly tasked with ground-strafing missions.

Given the overwhelming Allied air superiority, the Luftwaffe put its effort into the development of aircraft of such high performance that they could operate with impunity, but which also made bomber attack much more difficult, merely from the flight velocities they achieved. Foremost among these were the Messerschmitt Me 163B point-defense rocket interceptors, which started their operations with JG 400 near the end of July 1944, and the longer-endurance Messerschmitt Me 262A jet fighter, first flying with the Gruppe-strength Kommando Nowotny unit by the end of September 1944. In action, the Me 163 proved to be more dangerous to the Luftwaffe than to the Allies and was never a serious threat. The Me 262A was a serious threat, but attacks on their airfields neutralized them. The pioneering Junkers Jumo 004 axial-flow jet engines of the Me 262As needed careful nursing by their pilots, and these aircraft were particularly vulnerable during takeoff and landing.[61] Lt. Chuck Yeager of the 357th Fighter Group was one of the first American pilots to shoot down an Me 262, which he caught during its landing approach. On 7 October 1944, Lt. Urban L. Drew of the 361st Fighter Group shot down two Me 262s that were taking off, while on the same day Lt. Col. Hubert Zemke, who had transferred to the Mustang-equipped 479th Fighter Group, shot down what he thought was a Bf 109, only to have his gun camera film reveal that it may have been an Me 262.[62] On 25 February 1945, Mustangs of the 55th Fighter Group surprised an entire Staffel of Me 262As at takeoff and destroyed six jets.[63]

The Mustang also proved useful against the V-1s launched toward London. P-51B/Cs using 150-octane fuel were fast enough to catch the V-1 and operated in concert with shorter-range aircraft such as advanced marks of the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Tempest.

By 8 May 1945,[64] the 8th, 9th, and 15th Air Force's P-51 groups [note 6] claimed some 4,950 aircraft shot down (about half of all USAAF claims in the European theater, the most claimed by any Allied fighter in air-to-air combat)[64] and 4,131 destroyed on the ground. Losses were about 2,520 aircraft.[65] The 8th Air Force's 4th Fighter Group was the top-scoring fighter group in Europe, with 1,016 enemy aircraft claimed destroyed. This included 550 claimed in aerial combat and 466 on the ground.[66]

In air combat, the top-scoring P-51 units (both of which exclusively flew Mustangs) were the 357th Fighter Group of the 8th Air Force with 565 air-to-air combat victories and the 9th Air Force's 354th Fighter Group with 664, which made it one of the top-scoring fighter groups. The top Mustang ace was the USAAF's George Preddy, whose final tally stood at 26.83 victories (a number that includes shared one half- and one third victory credits), 23 of which were scored with the P-51. Preddy was shot down and killed by friendly fire on Christmas Day 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge.[64]

Specifications (P-51D Mustang)

Data from Erection and Maintenance Manual for P-51D and P-51K,[140]
P-51 Tactical Planning Characteristics & Performance Chart,[141]
The Great Book of Fighters,[142] and Quest for Performance[143]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft (11 m)
Height: 13 ft 4.5 in (4.077 m) tail wheel on ground, vertical propeller blade
Wing area: 235 sq ft (21.8 m2)
Aspect ratio: 5.83
Airfoil: NAA/NACA 45-100 / NAA/NACA 45-100
Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,463 kg)
Gross weight: 9,200 lb (4,173 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,488 kg) 5,490
Fuel capacity: 269 US gal (224 imp gal; 1,020 l)
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0163
Drag area: 3.80 sqft (0.35 m²)
Powerplant: 1 × Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-7 Merlin 12-cylinder liquid cooled engine,
1,490 hp (1,110 kW) at 3,000 rpm;[144] 1,720 hp (1,280 kW) at WEP
Propellers: 4-bladed Hamilton Standard constant-speed, variable-pitch, 11 ft 2 in (3.40 m) diameter

Performance

Maximum speed: 440 mph (710 km/h, 383 kn)
Cruise speed: 362 mph (583 km/h, 315 kn)
Stall speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
Range: 1,650 mi (2,660 km, 1,434 nmi) with external tanks
Service ceiling: 41,900 ft (12,800 m)
Rate of climb: 3,200 ft/min (16 m/s)
Lift-to-drag: 14.6
Wing loading: 39 lb/sq ft (190 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (300 W/kg)
Recommended Mach limit 0.8

Armament

Guns:
6 × 0.50 caliber (12.7mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns with 1,840 total rounds (380 rounds for each on the inboard pair and 270 rounds for each of the outer two pair)
Rockets:
6 or 10 × 5.0 in (127 mm) T64 HVAR rockets (P-51D-25, P-51K-10 on)[note 8]
Bombs:
1 × 100 lb (45 kg) or 250 lb (110 kg) bomb or 500 lb (230 kg) bomb on hardpoint under each wing[145]

 Flight Simulators
 

   IL-2 Sturmovik 'Cliff's of Dover' Blitz

   IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad

   DCS World - has no 3D model

 



 

 Royal Air Force Debden Map

 Moscow Russia Map

 

    North American P-51 Mustang Notes

  1. Among Allied aircraft, the P-51's claimed victory total in World War II was second to the carrier-borne Grumman F6F Hellcat.[12]
  2. Because the new fighter was designed to a British, rather than an American or USAAC specification, it was allocated a private-venture civil designation instead of the more usual XP- (eXperimental Pursuit) group.
  3. For more specific information on the P-51's airfoil, known as the NAA/NACA 45-100 series, see[21]
  4. This was one of the last US applications of gun synchronization - later American single piston-engined fighters, including later models of the Mustang, all had their gun armament concentrated in the wings.
  5. One of the NA-73s given to the army, s/n 41-038 is still in existence and last flew in 1982.[29]
  6. All but three of these FGs flew P-38s, P-40s or P-47s before converting to the Mustang.
  7. Ziemi Czerwieńskiej = Land of Czerwien, RAF Polish units retained the name and the logo of a squadron from the Polish Air Force which fought the Germans in 1939.
  8. The P-51D and K Maintenance manual notes that carrying 1,000 lb bombs was not recommended, because the racks were not designed for them.[146] Six rockets could be carried on removable Zero Rail launchers with the wing racks installed, 10 without wing racks.[147]

    North American P-51 Mustang Citations

  1. P-51 Mustang Fighter, Boeing.
  2. Scutts, Jerry (13 November 1995), Mustang Aces of the Ninth & Fifteenth Air Forces & the RAF (book), p. 47, ISBN 9781855325838.
  3. Hickman; Kennedy, World War II: North American P-51 Mustang, Military History, About, archived from the original on 1 July 2014, retrieved 19 June 2014
  4. North American P-51D Mustang. National Museum of the United States Air Force. 20 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  5. Guilmartin, John. P-51 Mustang Facts. Britannica.com. Britannica. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  6. Borth 1945, pp. 92, 244.
  7. Kinzey 1996, p. 5.
  8. Kinzey 1996, p. 57.
  9. Kinzey 1996, p. 56.
  10. Kinzey 1997, pp. 10-13.
  11. Gunston 1984, p. 58.
  12. Tillman 1996, pp. 78-79.
  13. https://www.aerosociety.com/media/10277/on-the-planning-of-british-aircraft-production-for-second-world-war-and-reference-to-james-connolly_2018-09.pdf
  14. Pearcy 1996, p. 15.
  15. Pearcy 1996, p. 30.
  16. Chorlton, Martyn (2012), Allison-Engined P-51 Mustang, Air Vanguard 1, Osprey, p. 11, 12, ISBN 9781780961514
  17. Delve 1999, p. 11.
  18. Delve 1999, p. 12.
  19. Jackson 1992, p. 3.
  20. Wagner 2000, pp. 16, 18.
  21. Selig, Michael. P-51D wingroot section. Archived 8 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine uiuc.edu. Retrieved: 22 March 2008
  22. We also found out, later on, that the heat from the engine actually produced thrust... That horsepower gained by the radiator was only discovered by wind-tunnel investigation... Mustang Designer, Edgar Schmued and the P-51, p. 61. The comparison was between wind-tunnel tests of full-scale models, with normal heating (thermic engine) and without heat production (electric engine).
  23. Yenne 1989, p. 49.
  24. The British Air Ministry sent over the Canadian aerodynamicist Dr Beverley Shenstone in early 1941, who also assisted with the cooling airflow (Ray Wagner Mustang Designer)
  25. Jackson 1992, p. 4.
  26. Kinzey 1996, pp. 5, 11.
  27. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p. 6.
  28. P-51 History: Mustang I. Archived 15 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine The Gathering of Mustangs & Legends. Retrieved: 26 March 2009.
  29. North American XP-51 Prototype No. 4 - NX51NA . Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine EAA AirVenture Museum (Experimental Aircraft Association). Retrieved: 23 July 2013.
  30. Marshall, James; Ford, Lowell (21 July 2020). The Birth of the Merlin Mustang. P-51B Mustang: North American's Bastard Stepchild that Saved the Eighth Air Force. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-3967-1.
  31. Model Designations of U.S.A.F. Aircraft Engines. U.S.A.F. Air Material Command. 1949. p. 29. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  32. Hooker, Stanley (1984). Not much of an engineer. UK: Airlife Books. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-85310-285-1.
  33. Hazen, R. Service Use of High Power Outputs on Allison V-1710 Engines (PDF). Allison Division, General Motors Corporation. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  34. Merlin 61, 65 & V-1650-3 Power Curves. R.D.E. 66-41. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  35. Gruenhagen, Robert (1976). Mustang: The Story of the P-51 Fighter (rev. ed.). New York: Arco Publishing. p. 68.
  36. Gruenhagen, Robert W. (1976). Mustang: The Story of the P-51 Fighter (rev. ed.). New York: Arco Publishing. p. 74.
  37. Newby Grant, William (1980). P-51 Mustang. UK: Paul Hamlyn Pty Ltd. p. 24. ISBN 0-7296-0183-8.
  38. Gruenhagen 1980, p. 193.
  39. Gruenhagen 1980, pp. 195-196.
  40. James Bjorkman, The P-51 Mustang, Filminspector.com, Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  41. Delve (1994), p. 191
  42. Hatch (1993), p. 15
  43. Born, Charles. British Army Cooperation Tactical Employment of the Mustang I (P-51). Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  44. Gruenhagen 1980, pp. 199-200.
  45. Gruenhagen 1980, pp. 201, 205.
  46. Gunston 1990 p. 39.
  47. Miller 2007, p. 41.
  48. Miller 2007, p. 46.
  49. Miller 2007, p. 42.
  50. Hastings 1979, pp. 214-215.
  51. Boylan 1955, p. 154.
  52. Boylan 1955, p. 155.
  53. Boylan 1955, pp. 155-156.
  54. Parker, Dana T. (19 October 2013). Building Victory: Aircraft Manufacturing in the Los Angeles Area in World War II. pp. 77, 90-92. ISBN 978-0-9897906-0-4..
  55. Dean 1997, p. 338.
  56. Spick 1983, p. 111.
  57. Robertie, William G (December 1974). Cobbler College (PDF). Second Air Division Association. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  58. Bowen 1980[page needed]
  59. Sherman, Steven. Aces of the Eighth Air Force in World War Two. Archived 13 August 2011 at Wikiwix Ace pilots, June 1999. Retrieved: 7 August 2011.
  60. Olmsted 1994, p. 144.
  61. Forsyth 1996, pp. 149, 194.
  62. Scutts 1994, p. 58.
  63. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p. 12.
  64. Glancey 2006, p. 188.
  65. Dean 1997, p. 339.
  66. 4th Fighter Wing. Archived 6 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine Global Security. Retrieved: 12 April 2007.
  67. Craven and Cate (1953), pp. 639-640
  68. Hoyt (1987), p. 398
  69. Tillman (2010), pp. 172-173
  70. Craven and Cate (1953), pp. 640-642
  71. Hastings (2007), p. 336
  72. Craven and Cate (1953), pp. 642-644
  73. Kerr (1991), pp. 261-262
  74. Frank (1999), pp. 76-77
  75. Miller (2001), p. 460
  76. Russ (2001), p. 22
  77. Craven and Cate (1953), p. 634
  78. Craven and Cate (1953), pp. 634-635
  79. Russ (2001), p. 24
  80. Russ (2001), p. 25
  81. Thompson, Steve; Smith, Peter C.; Allan, Ian; Spinetta, Lawrence J. (2008). Air Combat Manoeuvres: The Technique and History of Air Fighting for Flight Simulation. p. 233. ISBN 978-1-903223-98-7.
  82. Flight Tests on the North American P-51B-5-NA Airplane Archived 9 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Army Air Forces Material Command, Flight Test Engineering Branch, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, 24 April 1944
  83. Sims 1980, pp. 134-135.
  84. Rymaszewski, Michael (July 1994). Playing Your Aces. Computer Gaming World. pp. 101-105. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017.
  85. United Press, Last of Prop Fighters Will Go to Museum, The San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Saturday 26 January 1957, Volume LXIII, Number 127, page 22.
  86. 'Mustang' Taken Out of Mothballs For Demonstration. The Okaloosa News-Journal, Crestview, Florida, Volume 43, Number 14, page 3E.
  87. Gunston, Bill. North American P-51 Mustang. New York: Gallery Books, 1990. ISBN 0-8317-1402-6.
  88. Wixey 2001, p. 55.
  89. Dominican Republic. Archived 29 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine acig.org. Retrieved: 17 January 2012.
  90. Knaack 1978
  91. Munson 1969, p. 97.
  92. Anderson 1975, pp. 16-43.
  93. Anderson 1975, pp. 50-65.
  94. Hagedorn 1993, p. 147.
  95. Hagedorn 2006[page needed]
  96. Dienst 1985
  97. Gunston and Dorr 1995, p. 107.
  98. Gunston and Dorr 1995, pp. 109-110.
  99. Smith et al. 2004, pp. 78-79, 80, 82.
  100. Smith et al. 2004, pp. 108-114.
  101. Gilman and Clive 1978, p. 314.
  102. Gunston and Dorr 1995, p. 108.
  103. Cavalier Mustangs Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Mustangs-Mustangs. Retrieved: 12 April 2007.
  104. Indonesian Air Arms Overview Archived 16 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Scramble: Dutch Aviation Society. Retrieved: 12 April 2007.
  105. Kisah pilot TNI AU tembak jatuh pesawat pengebom CIA. merdeka.com. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  106. Darling 2002, p. 66.
  107. Herzog (1982) p. 118
  108. Norton, Bill (2004) - Air War on the Edge - A History of the Israeli Air Force and its Aircraft since 1947
  109. Yenne 1989, p. 62.
  110. North American P-51. Aeronautica Militare. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  111. Italian Air Force. aeroflight. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  112. Sgarlato 2003[page needed]
  113. Kahin 2003, p. 90.
  114. Wilson 2010, p. 42.
  115. Blue Diamonds: Philippine Air Force. geocities.com. Retrieved: 21 March 2008.
  116. 309 Sqn photo gallery. Archived 11 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine polishairforce.pl. Retrieved: 18 February 2010.
  117. Mietelski 1981[page needed]
  118. Somali (SOM). Archived 2 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine World Air Forces. Retrieved: 10 September 2011.
  119. Andersson, Lennart (2002). Bortom horisonten: Svensk flygspaning mot Sovjetunionen 1946-1952. ISBN 978-91-7243-015-0.
  120. Gordon 2008, pp. 448-449.
  121. Kyburz, Martin. Racing Mustangs. Archived 21 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine Swiss Mustangs, 2009. Retrieved: 17 January 2012.
  122. Mustang NA P-51C Mustang. Archived 12 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine NASM. Retrieved: 30 September 2010.
  123. P-51s for Sale. Archived 15 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine mustangsmustangs.net. Retrieved: 30 September 2010.
  124. North American P-51. Archived 15 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine FAA Registry. Retrieved: 15 May 2011.
  125. Aircraft rides. Dixie Wing. Retrieved: 1 September 2010. Archived 4 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  126. Doug Matthews sets several records flying a P-51 Mustang. World Warbird News. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  127. Doug Matthews Sets World Records in P-51D. eaa.org. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  128. July 2012 NAA Record Newsletter. constantcontact.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  129. http://www3.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=86405&key=0 NTSB Report on Penn's fatal mishap Archived 20 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  130. The Crash at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor in Sacramento, CA - September 24, 1972, Postscript. Archived 20 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine Check Six, 2002. Retrieved: 8 February 2014.
  131. Warbird Registry. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
  132. Barboza, Tony. Reno air races crash: NTSB investigates elevator trim tab. Archived 3 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2012. Retrieved: 17 September 2011.
  133. Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, p. 150. Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publication, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9
  134. Peçzkowski, Robert. North American P-51D Mustang, p. 28. Sandomierz, Poland: STRATUS s.c., 2009, ISBN 978-83-89450-60-9
  135. AN 01-60JE-4 Parts Catalog USAF Series P-51D and P-51K Aircraft, revised 31 May 1949, p. 55
  136. AN 01-60JE-4 Parts Catalog USAF Series F-51D, TF-51D, and F-51K Aircraft, revised 15 May 1953, p. 55
  137. History of the TP-51C Mustang, Collings Foundation., archived from the original on 31 July 2012, retrieved 17 September 2012
  138. Birch 1987, pp. 96-98.
  139. Australian Built Military Aircraft. www.adf-serials.com. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  140. AN 01-60JE-2 1944.
  141. P-51 Tactical Planning Characteristics & Performance Chart. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  142. Green and Swanborough 2001
  143. Loftin 2006.
  144. Objects: A19520106000 - Packard (Rolls-Royce) Merlin V-1650-7, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Collections Database, archived from the original on 27 March 2009
  145. Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions, Army Model P-51-D-5, British Model Mustang IV Airplanes (PDF), 5 April 1944, p. 38-40, archived (PDF) from the original on 10 February 2015, retrieved 13 July 2015 - via wwiiaircraftperformance.org.
  146. AN 01-60JE-2 1944, pp. 398-399.
  147. AN 01-60JE-2 1944, p. 400.
  148. Smith, O.S. Other Mustang Kits and Links. Archived 6 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine Unofficial Stewart 51 Builders Page. Retrieved: 24 April 2012.
  149. Where Dreams Take Flight. Archived 4 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine Titan Aircraft, 2012. Retrieved: 24 April 2012.
  150. P-51D Mustang Replica. Archived 3 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine SOS-Eisberg, 2012. Retrieved: 24 April 2012.

    North American P-51 Mustang Bibliography:

  • Aerei da combattimento della Seconda Guerra Mondiale (in Italian). Novara, Italy: De Agostini Editore, 2005.
  • Anderson, Peter N. Mustangs of the RAAF and RNZAF. Sydney, Australia: A.H. & A.W. Reed Pty Ltd, 1975. ISBN 0-589-07130-0.
  • Angelucci, Enzo and Peter Bowers. The American Fighter: The Definitive Guide to American Fighter Aircraft from 1917 to the Present. New York: Orion Books, 1985. ISBN 0-517-56588-9.
  • Aro, Chuck and Colin Aro. World's Fastest Mustangs. Air Enthusiast. No. 13, August-November 1980. pp. 56-62. ISSN 0143-5450
  • Birch, David. Rolls-Royce and the Mustang. Derby, UK: Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, 1987. ISBN 0-9511710-0-3.
  • Bowen, Ezra. Knights of the Air (Epic of Flight). New York: Time-Life Books, 1980. ISBN 0-8094-3252-8.
  • Borth, Christy. Masters of Mass Production. Indianapolis, Indiana: Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1945.
  • Bowman, Martin W. P-51 Mustang vs Fw 190: Europe 1943-45. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2007. ISBN 1-84603-189-3.
  • Boylan, Bernard. Development of the Long Range Escort Fighter. Washington, D.C: USAF Historical Division, Research Studies Institute, Air University, 1955. Retrieved: 15 July 2014.
  • Boyne, Walter J. Clash of Wings. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994. ISBN 0-684-83915-6.
  • Breffort, Dominique with André Jouineau. Le North-American P-51 Mustang - de 1940 à 1980 (Avions et Pilotes 5)(in French). Paris: Histoire et Collections, 2003. ISBN 2-913903-80-0.
  • Bridgman, Leonard, ed. The North American Mustang. Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. ISBN 1-85170-493-0.
  • Caldwell, Donald and Richard Muller. The Luftwaffe over Germany - Defense of the Reich. St. Paul, Minnesota: Greenhill books, MBI Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-185367-712-0.
  • Carson, Leonard Kit. Pursue & Destroy. Granada Hills, California: Sentry Books Inc., 1978. ISBN 0-913194-05-0.
  • Carter, Dustin W. and Birch J. Matthews.Mustang: The Racing Thoroughbred. West Chester, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing Company, 1992. ISBN 978-0-88740-391-0.
  • Cleaver, Tom (April-July 1982). Return of the Razorbacks. Air Enthusiast. No. 18. pp. 26-31. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Craven, Wesley and James Cate. The Army Air Forces in World War II, Volume Two: Europe, Torch to Pointblank, August 1942 to December 1943. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1949.
  • Darling, Kev. P-51 Mustang (Combat Legend). Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife, 2002. ISBN 1-84037-357-1.
  • Davis, Larry. P-51 Mustang. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1995. ISBN 0-89747-350-7.
  • Dean, Francis H. America's Hundred Thousand. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1997. ISBN 0-7643-0072-5.
  • Delve, Ken. The Mustang Story. London: Cassell & Co., 1999. ISBN 1-85409-259-6.
  • Delve, Ken. The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1994. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.
  • Dienst, John and Dan Hagedorn. North American F-51 Mustangs in Latin American Air Force Service. London: Aerofax, 1985. ISBN 0-942548-33-7.
  • Donald, David, ed. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, Ontario: Prospero, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
  • Dorr, Robert F.. P-51 Mustang (Warbird History). St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International Publishers, 1995. ISBN 0-7603-0002-X.
  • Ethell, Jeffrey L. Mustang: A Documentary History of the P-51. London: Jane's Publishing, 1981. ISBN 0-531-03736-3
  • Ethell, Jeffrey L. P-51 Mustang: In Color, Photos from World War II and Korea. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International Publishers & Wholesalers, 1993. ISBN 0-87938-818-8.
  • Ethell, Jeffrey and Robert Sand. World War II Fighters. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Zenith Imprint, 2002. ISBN 978-0-7603-1354-1.
  • Forsyth, Robert. JV44: The Galland Circus. Burgess Hill, West Sussex, UK: Classic Publications, 1996. ISBN 0-9526867-0-8
  • Furse, Anthony. Wilfrid Freeman: The Genius Behind Allied Survival and Air Supremacy, 1939 to 1945. Staplehurst, UK: Spellmount, 1999. ISBN 1-86227-079-1.
  • Gilman J.D. and J. Clive. KG 200. London: Pan Books Ltd., 1978. ISBN 0-85177-819-4.
  • Glancey, Jonathan. Spitfire: The Illustrated Biography. London: Atlantic Books, 2006. ISBN 978-1-84354-528-6.
  • Gordon, Doug (July-August 2001). Tac Recon Masters: The 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Europe, Part One. Air Enthusiast (94): 31-39. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Gordon, Yefim. Soviet Air Power in World War 2. Hinckley, UK: Midland Ian Allan Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1-85780-304-4.
  • Grant, William Newby. P-51 Mustang. London: Bison Books, 1980. ISBN 0-89009-320-2.
  • Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Great Book of Fighters. St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-7603-1194-3.
  • Gruenhagen, Robert W. Mustang: The Story of the P-51 Fighter (rev. ed.). New York: Arco Publishing Company, Inc., 1980. ISBN 0-668-04884-0.
  • Gunston, Bill. An Illustrated Guide to Allied Fighters of World War II. London: Salamander Books Ltd, 1981. ISBN 0-668-05228-7.
  • Gunston, Bill. Aerei della seconda guerra mondiale (in Italian). Milan: Peruzzo editore, 1984. No ISBN.
  • Gunston, Bill and Mike Spick. Modern Air Combat. Crescent Books, 1983, ISBN 91-972803-8-0.
  • Gunston, Bill. North American P-51 Mustang. New York: Gallery Books, 1990. ISBN 0-8317-1402-6.
  • Gunston, Bill and Robert F. Dorr. North American P-51 Mustang: The Fighter That Won the War. Wings of Fame, Volume 1. London: Aerospace, 1995, pp. 56-115. ISBN 1-874023-74-3.
  • Hagedorn, Dan. Central American and Caribbean Air Forces. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians), 1993. ISBN 0-85130-210-6.
  • Hagedorn, Dan. Latin American Air Wars & Aircraft. Crowborough, UK: Hikoki, 2006. ISBN 1-902109-44-9.
  • Hammond, Grant. The Mind of War: John Boyd and American Security, Smithsonian Institution Press, 2001, ISBN 1-56098-941-6.
  • Hastings, Max. Bomber Command. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Zenith Press, 1979. ISBN 978-0-76034-520-7.
  • Hatch, Gardner N.; Winter, Frank H. (1993). P-51 Mustang. Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1-56311-080-1.
  • Hess, William N. Fighting Mustang: The Chronicle of the P-51. New York: Doubleday and Company, 1970. ISBN 0-912173-04-1.
  • History, Boeing: P-51 Mustang. Boeing. Retrieved: 24 June 2014.
  • Jackson, Robert. Aircraft of World War II: Development, Weaponry, Specifications. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, 2003. ISBN 0-7858-1696-8.
  • Jackson, Robert. Mustang: The Operational Record. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1992. ISBN 1-85310-212-1.
  • Jerram, Michael F. P-51 Mustang. Yeovil, UK: Winchmore Publishing Services Ltd., 1984, ISBN 0-85429-423-6.
  • Johnsen, Frederick A. Bell P-39/P-63 Airacobra & Kingcobra. St. Paul, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, 1998. ISBN 1-58007-010-8.
  • Johnsen, Frederick A. North American P-51 Mustang. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press Publishers and Wholesalers, 1996. ISBN 0-933424-68-X.
  • Kaplan, Philip. Fly Navy: Naval Aviators and Carrier Aviation: A History. New York: Michael Friedman Publishing Group Incorporated, 2001. ISBN 1-58663-189-6.
  • Kinzey, Bert. P-51 Mustang in Detail & Scale: Part 1; Prototype through P-51C. Carrollton, Texas: Detail & Scale Inc., 1996. ISBN 1-888974-02-8.
  • Kinzey, Bert. P-51 Mustang in Detail & Scale: Part 2; P-51D thu P-82H. Carrollton, Texas: Detail & Scale Inc., 1997. ISBN 1-888974-03-6
  • Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 Post-World War II Fighters 1945-1973. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, 1978. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
  • Lednicer, David A. and Ian J. Gilchrist. A Retrospective: Computational Aerodynamic Analysis Methods Applied to the P-51 Mustang. AIAA paper 91-3288, September 1991.
  • Lednicer, David A. Technical Note: A CFD Evaluation of Three Prominent World War II Fighter Aircraft. Aeronautical Journal, Royal Aeronautical Society, June/July 1995.
  • Lednicer, David A. World War II Fighter Aerodynamics. EAA Sport Aviation, January 1999.
  • Leffingwell, Randy (and David Newhardt, photography). Mustang: 40 Years. St. Paul, Minnesota: Crestline (Imprint of MBI Publishing Company), 2003. ISBN 0-7603-2122-1.
  • Liming, R.A. Mathematics for Computer Graphics. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, 1979. ISBN 978-0-8168-6751-6.
  • Liming, R.A. Practical Analytic Geometry With Applications to Aircraft. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1944.
  • Loftin, LK, Jr. Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft, NASA SP-468. Washington, D.C.: NASA History Office. Retrieved: 22 April 2006.
  • Lowe, Malcolm V. North American P-51 Mustang (Crowood Aviation Series). Ramsbury, Wiltshire, UK: Crowood Press, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86126-830-3.
  • Loving, George. Woodbine Red Leader: A P-51 Mustang Ace in the Mediterranean Theater. New York: Ballantine Books, 2003. ISBN 0-89141-813-X.
  • Matricardi, Paolo. Aerei militari: Caccia e Ricognitori(in Italian). Milan: Mondadori Electa, 2006.
  • Mietelski, Michał, Samolot myśliwski Mustang Mk. I-III wyd. I (in Polish). Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Ministerstwa Obrony Narodowej, 1981. ISBN 83-11-06604-3.
  • Miller, Donald L. Eighth Air Force: The American Bomber Crews in Britain. London: Aurum Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1-84513-221-7.
  • Munson, Kenneth. Caccia e aerei da attacco e addestramento dal 1946 ad oggi(in Italian). Torino: Editrice S.A.I.E., 1969. No ISBN.
  • O'Leary, Michael. P-51 Mustang: The Story of Manufacturing North American's Legendary World War II Fighter in Original Photos. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2010. ISBN 978-1-58007-152-9.
  • O'Leary, Michael. USAAF Fighters of World War Two. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., 1986. ISBN 0-7137-1839-0.
  • Olmsted, Merle. The 357th Over Europe: the 357th Fighter Group in World War II. St. Paul, Minnesota: Phalanx Publishing, 1994. ISBN 0-933424-73-6.
  • Pace, Steve. Mustang - Thoroughbred Stallion of the Air. Stroud, UK: Fonthill Media, 2012. ISBN 978-1-78155-051-9
  • Pearcy, Arthur. Lend-Lease Aircraft in World War II. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd., 1996. ISBN 1-85310-443-4.
  • Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation. Air Enthusiast Quarterly (2): 154-162. n.d. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Sgarlato, Nico. Mustang P-51 (in Italian). I Grandi Aerei Storici (Monograph series) N.7, November 2003. Parma, Italy: Delta Editrice. ISSN 1720-0636.
  • Shores, Christopher. The Allison-engined Mustang: A Fighting Combination. Air Enthusiast Quarterly, No. 2, n.d., pp. 191-206. ISSN 0143-5450
  • Sims, Edward H. Fighter Tactics and Strategy 1914-1970. Fallbrook, California: Aero publisher Inc., 1980. ISBN 0-8168-8795-0.
  • Smith, J. Richard, Eddie J. Creek and Peter Petrick. On Special Missions: The Luftwaffe's Research and Experimental Squadrons 1923-1945 (Air War Classics). Hersham, Surrey, UK: Classic Publications, 2004. ISBN 1-903223-33-4.
  • Spick, Mike. Fighter Pilot Tactics. The Techniques of Daylight Air Combat. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens, 1983. ISBN 0-85059-617-3.
  • Spick, Mike. Designed for the Kill: The Jet Fighter—Development and Experience. United States Naval Institute, 1995, ISBN 0-87021-059-9.
  • Stevenson, James. The Pentagon Paradox: The Development of the F-18 Hornet. Naval Institute Press, 1993, ISBN 1-55750-775-9.
  • Tillman, Barrett. Hellcat Aces of World War 2. London: Osprey Aerospace, 1996. ISBN 1-85532-596-9.
  • United States Air Force Museum Guidebook. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Air Force Museum Foundation, 1975.
  • United States Army Air Force. AN 01-60JE-2: Maintenance and Erection Instructions for Army Model P-51D-5, −10, −15, 20, −25; P-51K-1, −5, −10, −15; British Model Mustang IV Aeroplanes. Evansville, Indiana: U.S.A.A.F, 1944.
  • Wagner, Ray. American Combat Planes of the 20th Century. Reno, Nevada: Jack Bacon & Company, 2004. ISBN 978-0-930083-17-5.
  • Wagner, Ray. Mustang Designer: Edgar Schmued and the P-51. Herndon, Virginia: Smithsonian Institution Press, 2000. ISBN 978-1-56098-994-3.
  • Walker, Jeff. Empire of the Sun. Air Classics, Volume 24, Number 1, January 1988.
  • White, Graham. Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II. Warrendale, Pennsylvania: Society for Automotive Engineers, 1995. ISBN 1-56091-655-9.
  • Wilson, Stewart, ed. Mustang Warbirds: Civil Registered Mustangs of Australia and New Zealand Then and Now. Warbirds of Australia and New Zealand 2010. St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia: Chevron Publishing Group, 2010.
  • Wixey, Ken. Magnificent Mustang: A Production History of the North American P-51. Air Enthusiast, Issue 95, September/October 2001.
  • Yenne, Bill: Rockwell: The Heritage of North American. New York: Crescent Books, 1989. ISBN 0-517-67252-9.
  • Young, Edward (Spring 1994). Counter-Air: 2nd Air Commando Group in Burma & Thailand. Air Enthusiast. No. 53. pp. 10-19. ISSN 0143-5450.

    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

  • History of 4th Fighter Group: http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/special-collections.html
  • Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_P-51_Mustang
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/

USAAF Military History Section

USAAF Chronology and War Diaries 1941-1942 1943 1944 1945

United States Army Air Force - USAAF units

USAAF Combat Units

 

Send Mail  
Please help us to improve these articles with any additional information or photo's. 
If you should encounter any bugs   broken links,  or display errors just email us.

If you love our website please add a like on facebook

Please donate so we can make this site even better !!

 

This webpage was updated 11th August 2022

-xxx-