North American Aviation's powerful and agile P-51 was the first single-engine aircraft based in England to penetrate Nazi Germany during World War II. With its superior aerodynamics, the Mustang outperformed enemy planes and went on to establish an impressive aerial record. It first flew in 1941 and was initially designed for the British Royal Air Force for fighter reconnaissance. By war's end North American built 15,575 P-51 Mustangs. The P-51D Mustang had a wingspan of 37 feet and was 32 feet long. Powered by one 1,490- horsepower engine, it flew 437 mph with a range of 2,300 miles.