Mustang at War
Author: Roger Freeman
Publisher: Doubleday GB
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover w/Dust Cover
ISBN: 0-385-06644-9
Fighters
Synopsis: This comprehensive operational history examines the North American P-51 Mustang throughout its extensive World War II service, documenting how this exceptional fighter aircraft transformed Allied air operations and ultimately enabled the strategic bombing campaign that crippled Nazi Germany. The book provides detailed coverage of the Mustang's development from a British requirement into the most successful long-range fighter of the war, including the crucial engine change that created its legendary performance. The narrative chronicles the Mustang's operational debut and subsequent deployment to every theater of operations, showing how its exceptional range and performance characteristics solved the critical problem of bomber escort to distant targets. Through extensive combat documentation, the work reveals how Mustang-equipped fighter groups achieved air superiority over Europe, enabling round-the-clock bombing operations that destroyed German industrial capacity and transportation infrastructure. The book provides comprehensive coverage of Mustang operations in the Pacific Theater, documenting long-range missions from Iwo Jima to Japan that demonstrated the aircraft's versatility in different operational environments. Combat narratives describe specific missions and engagements, highlighting the tactical innovations and aggressive tactics that made Mustang pilots so effective against enemy opposition. The work examines the aircraft's technical characteristics that enabled its success, including aerodynamic efficiency, fuel capacity, and weapon systems that provided superior combat capability. Personal accounts from Mustang pilots provide vivid descriptions of combat operations, revealing the flying qualities and combat characteristics that made the P-51 the preferred mount of many leading aces. The narrative documents the various Mustang variants developed for different mission requirements, including reconnaissance versions and ground attack models that extended the aircraft's utility beyond pure fighter operations. Training programs for Mustang pilots are examined, showing how transition training maximized the aircraft's potential while preparing pilots for the unique characteristics of long-range escort missions. The book chronicles major air campaigns where Mustangs played crucial roles, from Big Week operations against German aircraft production to the final assault on Japanese industrial targets. Statistical analysis provides comprehensive assessment of Mustang effectiveness, including victory-to-loss ratios and mission success rates that demonstrate the aircraft's superiority over enemy opposition. Post-war service is documented, including continued operation by numerous air forces and civilian operators that extended the Mustang's operational life well beyond World War II. Through detailed specifications, performance data, and extensive photographic coverage, this definitive work preserves the complete operational record of history's most successful long-range fighter, making it essential reading for understanding how air superiority was achieved and maintained during World War II.
Mustang at War, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.
Search Books Alphabetically by Title: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |