In 1940 the British Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation (NAA) to build under license Curtis P-40 fighters. NAA suggested that rather than produce an old design they proposed a new design, this would become the P-51 Mustang.
When fitted with the Roll-Royce Merlin engine, the Mustang would be one of the most important fighters of the war. With its ability to carry tremendous amounts of fuel, the plane was able to fly deep into Europe providing fighter escort for the bomber groups. Over the skies of Germany, it proved more than a match for what the Luftwaffe could throw at them.
Joining me is Chris Bucholtz.
Chris is an aviation historian with a prolific body of work. He previously joined me in episode 110 to discuss the P-47 Thunderbolt. His new book published by Osprey is P-51B/C Mustang: Northwest Europe 1943-44.
Patreon:
patreon.com/ww2podcast
87 - Hitler's Death
86 - The SAS in Italy, 1943-45
85 - Alarmstart East
84 - Shot Down
83 - Operation Crossbow
82 US Navy vs IJN Fleet Submarine, 1941-42
81 - Britain's Blockade of Europe & the response of the ICRC
80 - The Italian Army In North Africa
Last Man Standing: Geoffrey Rothwell
79 - The Forgotten Dead: Exercise Tiger
78 - Bones of My Grandfather
Hitler's Vikings
76 - RAF Flight Engineers
75 - The Rise of Hitler and National Socialism
74 - The M3 'Grant' Tank
73 - Ghost Riders: Operation Cowboy
72 - Mediterranean Strategy
USS Indianapolis
70 - Aerial Warfare
69 Interwar International Naval Policy
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