P-51 Mustang

The words

1. Air Combat

   In March 1944, Allied planners used raids on Berlin partly to draw German fighters into battle. Mustang escorts engaged the interceptors defending the capital.

   Ch. 2, pp. 47–51, Berlin and the fighter battle · AAF history: fighters, escort and Berlin (opens a new tab)

2. Airframe

   Airframe means the aircraft’s structure. The P-51D added a bubble canopy, giving the pilot a clearer view than earlier Mustang versions.

   Bubble-top Mustang, changes in the P-51D · USAF Museum: Mustang models and engines (opens a new tab)

3. Big Friend

   In TIME’s July 1944 account, a fighter pilot called a damaged B-17 Big Friend. The crew bailed out before the burning bomber fell.

   Chancy’s account, the bomber crew’s bailout · TIME, 1944: bomber and escort nicknames (opens a new tab)

4. Fighter Ace

   A fighter ace was credited with at least five aerial victories. Mustang pilot Chuck Yeager was among the American pilots who achieved that distinction.

   Fighter Aces Association: the five victories (opens a new tab) · USAF: Yeager’s Mustang combat service (opens a new tab)

5. Fighter Cover

   Fighter cover could involve relays of different units. On the March 6 Berlin raid, successive Eighth and Ninth Air Force fighter groups covered the bombers.

   Ch. 2, p. 51, successive escort relays · AAF history: fighters, escort and Berlin (opens a new tab)

6. Fighter Escort

   Merlin-powered P-51B and P-51C fighters entered European combat in December 1943. They helped provide the long-range escort needed for the March 1944 Berlin missions.

   A Winning Combination, European service and Berlin · USAF Museum: Mustang models and engines (opens a new tab)

7. Fighter Sweep

   By March 1944, American escorts were increasingly released from close protection duties. They sought out German aircraft, taking the fight beyond the bomber formations.

   Ch. 2, pp. 46–47, offensive fighter employment · AAF history: fighters, escort and Berlin (opens a new tab)

8. Laminar Flow

   The Mustang’s wing was designed to reduce drag through laminar flow. NASA researchers doubted that its wartime surfaces were smooth enough to achieve much of it.

   Printed p. 64 (PDF p. 8), Mustang and surface quality · NASA: laminar flow and surface quality (opens a new tab)

9. Little Friend

   Little Friend meant the fighter escort in TIME’s wartime report. The damaged bomber’s pilot used the name when calling for help from nearby P-51s.

   Opening of Chancy’s account and the bomber’s radio call · TIME, 1944: bomber and escort nicknames (opens a new tab)

10. Long Range

    Auxiliary fuel tanks extended the Mustang’s escort reach. By March 1944, P-51s could accompany American bombers deep into Germany, including to Berlin.

    Ch. 2, pp. 47–49, extended range and auxiliary tanks · AAF history: fighters, escort and Berlin (opens a new tab)

11. Luftwaffe

    The Luftwaffe was Germany’s air force. Its fighters defended bombing targets, while Allied escorts sought to weaken their ability to intercept the bomber formations.

    Ch. 2, pp. 30–33 and 46–51, German fighter resistance · AAF history: fighters, escort and Berlin (opens a new tab)

12. Mustang

    Early Mustangs used Allison engines. Fitting Merlin engines improved high-altitude performance and led to the P-51B and P-51C versions used for long-range escort.

    Early Allison models and A Winning Combination · USAF Museum: Mustang models and engines (opens a new tab)

13. North American

    North American Aviation designed the Mustang for Britain after being asked to build P-40s under license in 1940. Its NA-73X prototype flew that October.

    Did you know?

    North American built the nearly identical P-51B in Inglewood, California, and the P-51C in Dallas, Texas.

    Origins, British order and prototype · USAF Museum: Mustang models and engines (opens a new tab)

14. Packard

    Packard built the V-1650 engine in the United States under license. It was an American-produced version of the Rolls-Royce Merlin used in Mustangs.

    Biographical / Historical, licensed engine and P-51 use · Smithsonian archives: Packard’s Merlin (opens a new tab)

15. Yeager

    Chuck Yeager flew Mustangs over Europe in 1944. Shot down over occupied France in March, he evaded capture with help from the French Resistance.

    Wartime Mustang service, March 5 loss and evasion · USAF: Yeager’s Mustang combat service (opens a new tab)