The CAC Mustang is an Australian variant of the North American P-51 Mustang. It was built under license by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in the final stages of World War II , and though it was too late to see combat, it did participate in the Occupation of Japan after VJ-Day .

Over twenty variants of the North American P-51 Mustang fighter were produced from 1940, when it first flew, to after World War II, some of which were employed also in the Korean War and in several other conflicts.

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War, among other conflicts. The Mustang was designed in 1940 by a team headed by James H. Kindelberger of North American Aviation (NAA) in response to a requirement of the British Purchasing Commission.

The aircraft's potential appeared promising and RAF Mustangs Mk III (P-51B, P-51C and F-6) and Mk IV (P-51D) was the most widely produced version and 8,956 were built. Interesting developments of the Mustang included the XP-51F and XP-51G lightweight versions and, the fastest Mustang of all, the P-51 H with a top speed of 487 mph at 25,000 ft.

2024年9月2日 · Excelled in long-range bomber escort missions. Outperformed enemy aircraft with superior speed and agility. Instrumental in the success of daylight bombing campaigns. Continues to be celebrated for its engineering and impact.

2024年12月24日 · Much has been recorded about the North American P-51 Mustang, from it being designed in response to a Royal Air Force (RAF) specification, to its ability to escort long range bombing missions into the heart of Germany and its excellent handling characteristics.

2022年5月18日 · For several decades Warbirds Online has witnessed many displays by a beautiful P51D Mustang ‘Dove of Peace’ in New Zealand, Ex RAAF A68-674, a P-51D-20-NT Manufacture number 111-36299 USAAC serial No 44-13016.

2025年3月7日 · The P-51D version was called the Mustang IV and the P-51K version was the Mustang IVa. The RAF received 284 and 594 respectively. They had the visibility and the firepower that the pilots needed.

Between 1941-1945, the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) ordered 14,855 Mustangs, of which 7,956 were P-51Ds. Mustangs served with the USAAF, and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Pacific War and Korean War. A database of photographs, desctriptions and locations of WWII wreckage remaining in Pacific.

The P-51D models became one of the finest Allied fighters of World War II, and was just as capable at long-range escort as short ground-attack sorties. Fitted with a bubble canopy in place of the earlier 'Razorback' fuselage, the P-51D was the most widely produced version of the Mustang, with 8,956 built.