The Mustang was built in response to a British request for P-40 fighters. North American Aviation thought they could build something better and so the P-51 was born. The Mustang was designed around the best American engine of the time, the V-1710 Allison engine. This was the same basic engine that powered the P-40 and tied to the much smoother Mustang airframe, gave world beating performance. But this came at a price.

The Allison engine was not a high altitude engine, being barely able to operate at 30,000 feet and was much more at home at low altitude. In fact, the Allison Mustang's best performance was down low. This was not exactly what the British wanted as they were looking for a plane to intercept bombers, but it was perfect for tactical recon and the RAF wasted no time at all in outfitting many of their tactical recon squadrons with the new aircraft. Now the recce boys had a plane that was not only fast, but able to handle itself in a fight. The Mustang operated in this capacity until the war's end and the last Mustang tactical recon squadron did not disband until 1946.

The aircraft's low level abilities did not no unnoticed by the USAAF as they developed the A-36 ground attack plane based on this airframe. Again, it performed sterling service, not only in the Mediterranean, but also in the CBI where it was a major reason for the success of Wingate's 'Chindit' operations behind enemy lines in Burma. These planes were used until they were no longer viable due to attrition and lack of spares.

The Allison engine did not end its days with the P-51, P-51A, and A-36, but a greatly upgraded version was used for the XP-51J and eventually for the P-82/F-82 series of escort and night fighters. The last F-82s were used in Korea and eventually left service around 1952.

This is the first book in Osprey's new Air Vanguard series and they have chosen a good one to start a new line. The book by Martyn Chorlton covers the developement and eventual unit operations of this aircraft in all theaters of operation. It is complete with a superb collection of period photos, a couple pages of full color profiles and other artwork. The back cover of the book is a fold-out that has has a cut-away drawing of the cannon armed Mustang Mk. IA.

In all, a book I can highly recommend and I very much look forward to others in this series.

October 2012

For more on the complete line of Osprey books, visit www.ospreypublishing.com. In the US, it is Osprey Direct at 44-02 23rd St, Suite 219, Long Island City, NY 11101., where you can get a catalogue of available books.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.