North American P-51 Mustang : livres - histoire (1/4)

Covers the P/F-51 Mustang and each of its many variants and spinoffs including the A-36 Apache, F-6 Photo Mustang, F-82 Twin Mustang and others. It discusses the Mustangs used by all US allies and friends in many foreign air forces.
Also, it adds to the story of its creation through the wise choices made by the British government and its Royal Air Force, especially the transition from its original Alison V-12 to the wizard-like Rolls-Royce V- 12 called the Merlin.

The book is profusely illustrated with high quality mono and colour images, many of which have not been published before, and features beautifully drawn profiles and numerous appendices. It also features numerous first-hand accounts of the Mustang in battle during World War 2, the Korean War and other conflicts.

The Mustang was employed by more than 55 nations during its military lifetime and this book is a definitive work on this fabulous war horse.

The North American Mustang is one of the most well-studied aircraft. However, much of what is commonly understood about it, particularly its early, Allison-powered variants, is not entirely correct.

This book examines the history of the aircraft afresh, within the orbit of tactical doctrine, strategy and even politics, as well as the changing nature of World War II.
The Allison Mustang proved to be no worse than the best aircraft of the war in the roles where it found its niche and, through this new study, it is hoped that the significance of this vital aircraft can finally be appreciated.

The Mustang was born from a British WW2 specification to North American during 1940. The prototype was completed within 117 days but the RAF was not happy with the aircraft's performance and suggested replacing the V-12 Allison engine with the more powerful RR Merlin. The result was a superbly fast and manoeuvrable aircraft that had the range to escort Allied bomber forces on raids deep into occupied Europe. A total of 15,469 of the type were built and were also used in combat during the Korea War.

This book contains the famous colour profiles created by Dave Windle of the type in different operational modes, configurations and colour schemes. Martin Bowman has written detailed descriptions and supplied superb photographs to create the perfect enthusiast's reference.

While the introduction of the Merlin engine did improve the Mustang's performance and produce the bubble-canopied fighters with which we associate the name, credit must be given to the Allison-engined variants that preceded it. From its inception in early 1940, the Mustang's development was extraordinarily rapid - such was the need for a fighter at the time, and the confidence in its design.
By early January 1942, the Mustang was in service with the RAF, flying low-level armed reconnaissance operations over Northern France. Despite later Merlin variants arriving in-theatre, this remained a hunting ground for the Allison Mustangs through to D-Day and beyond - a remarkable service length. In American hands the Allison-engined Mustangs performed as dive-bombers and fighters, serving with distinction in North Africa and the Far East.

Contents: Introduction - Design and Development - Technical Specifications and Variants - Operational History - Conclusion - Bibliography and Further Reading.

Used primarily as a long-range bomber escort in raids over Germany, the North American P-51 Mustang earned a reputation for toughness and agility in dogfights. Carrying a two-stage supercharged V-12 Merlin engine and armed with six .50 caliber machine guns, the P-51 helped the Allies gain air superiority in the skies over Europe.

P-51s were flown by the famed Tuskegee Airmen, and remained in service during the Korean War. World airforces made extensive use of the Mustang, some into the 1980's.

Originally published by North American Aviation and classified "Restricted", this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted, and color images appear as black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.

These pilots called themselves the 'Tokyo Club'. It was a simple task to become a member. All you had to do was strap yourself into a heavily loaded P-51 Mustang, take off from Iwo Jima, fly 650 miles north over the sea - often through monsoon storms - in your single-engined aircraft to Japan, attack a heavily defended target and then turn around and fly home despite a shrinking fuel supply and perhaps battle damage as well. Do it once and you earned membership in the club. Do it 15 times and you earned a trip home. But make one mistake or have one touch of bad luck, and you had a very good chance of ending up dead.

This book tells the little-known story of these brave men and their efforts to defeat the aerial forces defending Japan.

Contents: Getting Their Feet Wet - Little Friends - Down To Earth.
Appendices: Groups and Squadrons, with commanders - Aerial Victories List - Combat Losses.