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P-51 Mustang

P-51 Mustang poster art.

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts. The Mustang was conceived, designed and built by North American Aviation in response to a specification issued directly to NAA by the British Purchasing Commission. During World War II, Mustang pilots claimed 4,950 enemy aircraft shot down. In the aftermath of World War II, the USAAF consolidated much of its wartime combat force and selected the P-51 as a “standard” piston-engined fighter, while other types, such as the P-38 and P-47, were withdrawn or given substantially reduced roles.