The Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation to build Curtiss P-40 fighters under license for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Rather than build an old design from another company, 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, and first flew on 26 October. The Mustang was designed to use the Allison V-1710 engine, which had limited high-altitude performance in its earlier variants. The aircraft was first flown operationally by the RAF as a tactical-reconnaissance aircraft and fighter-bomber (Mustang Mk I). Replacing the Allison with a Rolls-Royce Merlin resulted in the P-51B/C (Mustang Mk III) model, and transformed the aircraft's performance at altitudes above 15,000 ft (4,600 m) (without sacrificing range), allowing it to compete with the Luftwaffe's fighters. 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 (12.7 mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns. įrom late 1943, P-51Bs and P-51Cs (supplemented by P-51Ds from mid-1944) were used by the USAAF's Eighth Air Force to escort bombers in raids over Germany, while the RAF's Second Tactical Air Force and the USAAF's Ninth Air Force used the Merlin-powered Mustangs as fighter-bombers, roles in which the Mustang helped 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. Īt the start of the Korean War, the Mustang, by then redesignated F-51, was the main fighter of the United States until jet fighters, including 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. In 1938, the British government established a purchasing commission in the United States, headed by Sir Henry Self. Self was given overall responsibility for RAF production, research, and development, and also served with Sir Wilfrid Freeman, the Air Member for Development and Production. Self also sat on the British Air Council Sub-committee on Supply (or "Supply Committee") and one of his tasks was to organize the manufacturing and supply of American fighter aircraft for the RAF. At the time, the choice was very limited, as no U.S. If I ever find myself in Heflin, AL, I'm going to stop by just to shake his hand!. Again, he had nothing to gain but my respect and he has that. End of story, I eventually found my truck, but only because ROCKY helped me set a new course of direction. We also discussed the low possibility of getting a new order filled within my time constraints. Because of the shortage he had no luck, but I can't tell you how appreciative I am to him for trying. I'd still be waiting if it wasn't for ROCKY! He then said, he'd check outside of their zone of exchange to see if he could find a truck and let me know where it was and their contact information, so I could call and check it out myself. When he did, he found out that it was not available and that it was actually a fleet truck already dedicated to a commercial outfit for sale. He bypassed the email and called them directly to speak to someone to get a definite answer for me. He said it was in Missouri and that dealership indicated they only communicate with others by email. He searched nationally, and found what looked to be that exact truck. I told him I was waiting to hear about a truck that had been identified by two other dealerships, but they hadn't heard if it was available and they wouldn't tell me where it was. I was luckily connected to "ROCKY!" Although he didn't have the truck I needed, I told him of my plight, and he responded with the best customer service I have ever received from someone who had nothing to gain from further effort. In desperation, I decided to call outside Atlanta to Buster Miles Ford in Alabama to see if they had any trucks meeting my needs. I'd been told by two dealerships in Atlanta that they had found one but were waiting for the email response from the dealership where it was located as to whether it was available and met my specifications to have it shipped to them. Very scarce pickings because of the "computer chip" shortage affecting the auto industry nationwide. I live in Georgia, and contacted dealerships all over metropolitan Atlanta in search of an XL F250. Sorry, this will be a long review, but I have to tell you about a salesman I have total respect for named ROCKY at Buster Miles Ford.
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