Number 2: The North American P-51 Mustang
The American war-winner finally matches the German Fw 190.
by Staff Writer

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Synopsis: The North American P-51 Mustang was the cream of the American fighter crop in the Second World War - probably the sexiest aircraft next to the Supermarine Spitfire (can aircraft really be thought of as sexy though?). The system was built around the powerful Packard Merlin piston engine that offered the lightweight system unprecedented speed and power. The American-standard (yet still impressive) six gun arrangement provided the aircraft with the firepower it needed to contend with most anything that the German powers could field, including the equally impressive Focke-Wulf Fw 190.

Pros: One of the fastest and maneuverable piston-engine fighters of the war; extremely deadly in capable trained hands; armament of 6 x 12.7mm machine guns worked well for making German Swiss cheese; designed, developed and produced faster than you can say Gothaer Waggonfabrik (the aircraft made it into the skies in just 117 days).

Notoriety: Preserved air superiority for the Allies by providing escort to advancing bomber formations, intercepting enemy aircraft and taking part in precision strikes when in the ground attack role.

Total Production: 15,875

Operators: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay, United States and Venezuela.

Variants: North American A-36 Apache; North American F-82 Twin Mustang; Cavalier Mustang; Piper PA-48 Enforcer; North American Mustang X

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