The North American prototype, NA-73X, was first flown on Oct. 26, 1940. The XP-51 first flight occurred on May 20, 1941. At least eight versions of the P-51 were produced.

North American's marvelous P-51 Mustang fighter evolved from a British need for more P-40 Warhawk fighters. North American's Lee Atwood convinced the British that his company could build a better fighter.

One of the highest honors accorded to the Mustang was its rating in 1944 by the Truman Senate War Investigating Committee as "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit plane in existence."