North American Aviation P-51 Mustang

Sierra embedded blanks with WWII North American Aviation P-51 Mustang aluminum wing material. All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with foil COA seal. 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 April 1940 by a design team headed by James Kindelberger of North American Aviation in response to a requirement of the British Purchasing Commission. The Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation to build Curtiss P-40 fighters, but North American Aviation proposed the design and production of a more modern fighter. The prototype NA-73X airframe was rolled out on 9 September 1940, 102 days after the contract was signed. The definitive version, the P-51D, was powered by the Packard V-1650-7, a license-built version of the two-speed two-stage-supercharged Merlin 66 and was armed with six .50 caliber AN/M2 Browning machine guns. P-51s were used by the USAAF's Eighth Air Force to escort bombers in raids over Germany. The RAF's Second Tactical Air Force and the USAAF's Ninth Air Force used the Merlin-powered Mustangs as fighter-bombers to ensure Allied air superiority in 1944. The P-51 was also used by Allied air forces in the North African, Mediterranean, Italian and Pacific theaters. During World War II, Mustang pilots claimed to have destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraft. During the Korean War, the Mustang had been redesignated F-51. It was the main fighter of the United States until jet fighters like North American's F-86 took over this role. The Mustang then became a specialized fighter-bomber. Despite the advent of jet fighters, the Mustang remained in service with some air forces until the early 1980s. After the Korean War, Mustangs became popular civilian warbirds and air racing aircraft. These blanks are made using original aluminum from USAAF P-51D Mustang, serial number 44-14379. This P-51D 'Little Doc' was engaged in aerial combat with four German Me 262 jet fighters on April 5, 1945. After damaging one 262, Lt. Cowley in 'Little Doc' was hit, and Cowley bailed out. Though wounded, Cowley landed safely in Belgium and returned to his unit. This aircraft was excavated in 2006. The material is certified and distributed by Hardin Penworks, LLC. This material is guaranteed to be 100% Authentic.