A factory-fresh P-51B (carrying the short-lived red surround to the national insignia) during a test run down the California coast.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

Mustang Mk Is (on the left) go down the first Mustang assembly line at Inglewood, in company with Harvards.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940North American T-6 Texan / AT-6 Harvard - СШАUSA - 1935

The packing crate for the Mustang Mk I was a work of art, and here NAA employees are carefully installing all of the aircraft’s components for the sea voyage to Britain. Each crate cost the British government $675.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

Allison-engined Royal Air Force Mustang Mk IA FD472 on a forward airstrip following the D-Day invasion of June 1944. Although the Allison-powered Mustangs have been criticised by modern historians, they were very effective in the environment for which they were designed - low to medium altitudes. In fact, the RAF even made an overture to North American to restart the Allison production line, but the company felt this would greatly disrupt production of the newer variants. The Allison Mustangs were flown throughout the war, but their numbers were greatly depleted by combat losses and lack of replacements.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

A profile of the port side of an NA-99 fuselage illustrates the simplicity of the basic design.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

The fourth production Mustang Mk I, AG348, outside the NAA assembly hangar. Note the early short carburettor air scoop for the Allison, which caused a non-uniform flow of air to the engine at different airspeeds and angles of attack, producing surging. The problem was solved by raising the inlet slightly and extending the lip closer to the propeller.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

NAA female workers enjoy a bit of southern California sunshine while installing 20mm cannon. Despite their increased punch the cannon did not prove popular in the field, and armament was standardised as the 0-50in Browning air-cooled machine-gun.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

Several British test pilots were stationed in southern California to test Mustangs and other combat aircraft. Here Hawker Hurricane Battle of Britain ace Michael Crossley offers a cigarette to an NAA employee while Mk Is AG347 and AG345 await flight testing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

The bent and broken NA-73X prototype is recovered from a soya bean field near Mines Field after a flight-test crash. The aircraft was rebuilt and continued test work, but its eventual fate is unknown.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

Sir Hugh Dowding holds a desk model of a Mustang I while visiting Dutch Kindelberger at the NAA factory during early 1941.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

The last military operator of the Mustang was the Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, who proudly flew their aircraft until 1984. In this view, Coronel Rafael Diaz El Diablo Rojo Bonilla pilots FAD 1912, with FAD 1916 flying wing. The FAD Mustangs participated in the last P-51 military operation when, in 1983, they strafed a Cuban intelligence-gathering ship that refused to vacate Dominican waters. Retribution was not long in coming, and a force of Cuban MiG-21 s beat up the main Dominican P-51 base. The Mustangs did not rise for a final glorious interception. “We went inside and hid until they went away”, recalled one FAD pilot. Mustang FAD 1916 is the aircraft recently acquired by the Flying Heritage Collection, and is now with WestPac Restorations at Rialto, California. It is a significant machine because, as USAAF s/n 44-72364, it flew with the 8th Air Force's 353rd FG, 352nd FS, as Upupa Epops and scored several confirmed victories against the Luftwaffe. FAD 1912 is currently flying in the USA.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

A P-51D fuselage is aligned for mating with the wing. The Merlin engine installation is clearly seen.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

Royal Australian Air Force Mustangs and Texans share the engine test line at NAA’s Dallas factory.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944North American T-6 Texan / AT-6 Harvard - СШАUSA - 1935

Development of the Mustang was a constant process. In order to battle the new Messerschmitt Me 262 threat, this Mustang was fitted with a liquid-fuel rocket (fuel carried in streamlined underwing tanks) and was ground- and air-tested. However, it was not put into front-line service.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

The 10,000th Mustang rolls off the Inglewood factory line with little fanfare.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

Complete P-51D wings await mating with fuselages. Note how the wing was filled, sanded and then primered to retain its laminar-flow characteristics. Also note the bare-metal ailerons, flaps, undercarriage- and stress-doors.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

The shape of what might have been. In case the war continued, NAA had come up with a variation of the Mustang with a swept-forward wing, an advanced Allison V-12, a Westinghouse jet added to the rear fuselage and a tricycle undercarriage.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944

Edgar Schmued, leader of the NA-73X design team, with another of his creations, the Navion. Built to take advantage of anticipated massive postwar orders for general-aviation aircraft, the first examples were designated Navion 51 to take advantage of the P-51’s fame while playing up the North American name by capitalising the first two letters.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American Navion / L-17 (Ryan) - СШАUSA - 1946