P-51 Mustang - The Best Fighter of WW2

The P-51 Mustang series will bring you up close to this legendary WW2 Warbird. Over 4 weeks I'll be looking at the P-51 Mustang, the equipment used by the pilots that flew the P-51 Mustang and much more!
Part 1 in the P-51 Mustang Series is a walk-round of the aircraft looking at some of the design features that set this Warbird above the rest and why it was the finest fighter of WW2!
#p51 #p51mustang #p51d #wwii #warbirds #usaaf #ww2planes
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[@R_J_G]

One of the most beautiful things man has ever made.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Couldn’t agree more. It’s a stunning aircraft. Thanks for watching!

[@TribeTaz]

Best Fighter walk around I have ever seen. Great video

[@m1m3rmedia]

One of the best P-51walkarounds already! I hope you can take a deeper look on more vehicles, weapons and other equipment in future videos.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! All in the pipeline, 3 more to come on the P-51 but I don’t want to give too much away just yet!

[@Mark.G475]

My Second cousin was a Captain of a B24 flying out of italy during WW2. He loved that fighter, they had drop tanks! All the better for them to stay next to his B24.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Wow! I bet when he saw the Mustangs off his wing it made him and his crew feel a lot better!

[@Mark.G475]

@@WW2Wayfinder the Tuskegee airmen were right next to him in their Mustangs.

[@warbirdcoffeecous]

@@Mark.G475they were some outstanding pilots!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Always reassuring to have those guys flying on your wing! They were exceptional pilots!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That was extremely impressive and informative. Thanks!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks JD! Still three more episodes to come over the next few weeks. Such a fine aircraft and the owner is a great guy allowing me the access to it!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

@@WW2Wayfinder Looking forward to it. That was one of the most thorough but easy understand treatments of the P-51 that I’ve ever seen.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It was a lot of fun to film and it’s such an iconic warbird it was an amazing experience!

[@richardmardis2492]

One thing that nobody ever talks about is the gun sights on the Mustang. Oh- BTW, that’s you guys (British) for giving such great names to our aircraft!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Gun sight is in Part 3 😉 although I’m a bit specific with it as this was a late war Mustang. I thinks it’s great that the P-51 was a sort of joint venture, with it being a British request, an American design and a New Zealander that got the right engine into it.

[@richardmardis2492]

@@WW2Wayfinder So very true 👍

[@youstatusbasstube]

I had a see thru model kit of the Mustang back in the 60's when I was 12 or 14. It had a pedestal it was mounted to with buttons to make the engine run and you could retract and extend the landing gear. I learned a lot from your video. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh cool! I love toys like that. I was always a big fan of the cutaway drawings of warbirds in books and magazines growing up as I spent hours going over each of the various components that made up the aircraft! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@notarokescientist3003]

nicely done Juice sent me here this is my choice to learn DCS in

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh nice! When I have time I fly Warbirds in DCS. The Spitfire and the Mustang are my favourites but currently trying to master the 109K and the Mossie!

[@highestsprings]

This is really clear and detailed. Thanks for this informative look at one of the most beautiful planes ever made.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! I love the Mustang so hope I did it justice. Thank you for watching!

[@TheHistoryWonderer]

Well done.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@quirkygreece]

And now for something completely different . . . Great vid - I’m not an aeroplane guy, but this was a nice, simple explanation that I really enjoyed, cheers.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! The P-51 is a magnificent aircraft.

[@Pandrnchicken]

Keep it coming!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you sir! That’s very kind of you, your support means a lot!

[@richardyoder3646]

Great walk-around learned alot

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@gernkmccory3836]

Thank you mate, this is brilliant.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it! The Mustang is an epic warbird!

[@19Monts44]

Excellent video! Really informative thank you. Keep it up 🔥

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you liked it

[@richardmardis2492]

The one we had on long term loan at our museum was the only P-51 that still had all the original parts- it had never been overhauled and new replacement parts. Sure miss my museum- it was called the Chaplain Fighter Aircraft Museum.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow! I bet that was a stunning P-51!

[@richardmardis2492]

@@WW2Wayfinder It was! In the WW2 hanger we had: BF-109E, Spitfire mark5, super Corsair, Yake 9, P-38, FW-190g, p-51d, T-6 “Texan”… Brain going numb, what else 🤔

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very nice! Some proper legends there

[@richardmardis2492]

@@WW2Wayfinder All gone now- only the WW2 era hangers are still there.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Sad, but at least the hangars remain!

[@alantoon5708]

Leonard "Kit" Carson, one of the 8th AAF Mustang aces, became an aeronautical engineer after the war and worked at Wright Pat AFB. Carson stated that the Merlin engine was the greatest achievement in mechanical engineering in the first half of the 20th century. Other British inventions that helped make the P-51 great included the design and quantity production of the 108 gallon drop tank, both paper and metal, and the K-14 gyro lead computing gunsight.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The Merlin is truly a beautiful engine, regardless of variant. Yet the Griffon that was a development of it and was fitted in later Mk Spitfires just (for me at least) doesn’t have the same draw.

[@lulubellers]

Kit was our nextdoor neighbor when we were kids. Yes, we called him Kit. 😊

[@vitopass123]

Thank you so much.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome, thank you for watching 😃

[@nexusgroupnxt]

Keep going! You are doing great!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@afewminutesofhistory]

Awesome mate as always. One of the best History accounts on KZbin and a top bloke as well

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks bud. And likewise!

[@zitabennett6831]

Very interesting. I really enjoy all your videos.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@ttesheba]

Uno si no el mejor caza de la segunda guerra saludos desde Argentina gran canal informativo sobre el conflicto, y genial presentación de este clásico P-51 Mustang Americano

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@gaviny-w3569]

And New Zealand is mentioned as well, nice one

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks Gavin, the Mustangs history really was a multinational effort in a lot of ways which I think is quite cool especially give. The job it did of helping to liberate Europe and beyond. I just wonder if Ron Harker could have know just how important his recommendation would become!

[@charlespapineau5428]

Terrific video! Loved the details of this great warbird.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Charles! There’s 3 more episodes to come all about the P-51 and different elements of it over the next few weeks so I hope you enjoy those too!

[@charlespapineau5428]

@WW2 Wayfinder You can count on it! I've read so much on the P51 and watched videos on it and am totally smitten. Chuck Yeager and Bud Anderson had so many great things to say about this awesome plane. Loved their insights. Keep up the good work!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I’ve had the pleasure of corresponding with General Bud Anderson and he’s a wonderful man and I would have loved to have spoken with Chuck Yeager, another incredible pilot.

[@charlespapineau5428]

@WW2 Wayfinder That is awesome that you have corresponded with General Anderson. Please send him my thanks for his service to our country. I live in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. I read General Yeager's autobiography. What an amazing man of valor and courage. I remember one of the members of his squadron said that everyone wanted to fly with him because he could see the Luftwaffe before anyone else due to his incredible eyesight. There are many incredible stories beyond his skill as a P51 pilot. Both he and General Anderson are to always be remembered as heroes and patriots.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

He’s a wonderful man, and a true hero of mine, and it was so good to see him receive his recent promotion to Brigadier General!

[@thomaspavelko9412]

Rumor has it the Louisiana Kid has to be fed Messerschmitt parts occasionally or it will just randomly dive on trains when out and about in Germany.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

🤣🤣🤣

[@gillianshort9125]

Must get to see this aircraft.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s incredible!

[@SondraD7676]

Great walkaround and design information even I (not a pilot) can understand.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks Sondra, glad you enjoyed it! It was a lot of fun to film and always a real privilege to be around these amazing aircraft and think what those young men who flew them achieved!

[@ivanlowjones]

The irony of a German owning a P-51 that was probably used against his grandfathers generation in combat is......ironic.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

He also flew a restored BF-109 (Red 7 now owned and operated by Airbus DE). He much prefers the Mustang!

[@danielferrell1867]

Idk I’m American and I’d love to own a Fw190

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Now the 190 is a GOOD looking warbird so I’m with you on that! I think one recently flew with a genuine BMW engine up front too which is amazing.

[@afb911]

It's history, but it was also 80 years ago... Get over it !

[@ivanlowjones]

@@afb911 Make me🤨

[@analystanalyst7652]

Just to add: The P-51 had long legs primarily due to the Laminar Flow wings, which reduced drag with a more efficient wing, increased range and gave the P-51 a tighter turning radius, and prevented control surface freeze, or compressibility, at high speed like its contemporaries. The cockpit was also a pilot’s cockpit and well laid out. My father was part of the P-51D program at Mines Field during the war, dealing with Lee Atwood and flying in “Dutch” Kindelberger’s B-25 NA 40-2165 with Tex LaGrone before it was crashed by another pilot. He would always rave about that laminar flow wing. He said they didn’t get if perfect but they got it good enough. The Eighth Air Force daylight raids to Berlin were meant to help satisfy the goals of Operation Pointblank: bring the Luftwaffe up to the P-51’s and kill it. They also took out Me 262’s, that were not in the landing pattern, by going to full military power and maneuvering, there is gun camera footage out there showing a couple of these encounters. Maneuverability was amazing, if you knew the airplane. You could almost stop it flat, belly against your direction of flight, by reversing rudder and ailerons and pulling the stick into your gut, somewhat like a Cobra maneuver with the airplane sideways on an angle. Like the Fifth Generation fighter in the recent Top Gun movie. It would stall out and correct easily and the pursuer was gone. Although a dangerous maneuver a lot better than a Split S for evasion. A modified version of the Mustang saw limited combat in Vietnam, used against ground targets of course.

[@anonymous8780]

I've heard the opposite regarding turn performance. Laminar flow wing gives less lift in a turn and the P-51 had a relatively violent accelerated stall and it did not give much warning compared to something like a Spitfire. But that being said the Mustang was no slouch in a dogfight and could mix it up with Bf 109s and Fw 190s.

[@gibson617ajg]

3.52 RR Hucknall, Nottinghamshire is where the Merlin was married to the P51. It's also where the Pegasus VTOL was developed. - I grew up listening to them testing jets - RB211s(?) outside on summer days too. Awful racket. I believe it's also the place where an escaped Luftwaffe POW tried to steal a plane and fly home. When they had 'fly-ins' I used to go up there and stand on the runway threshold - I remember watching a P51 come in almost close enough to touch. Marvellous.

[@richardmardis2492]

Well done! I never knew about the “pee tube” (not the pitot tube) How come I was never told of that thing 🤣

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s great it’s still fitted and hasn’t been removed. Gives a real authentic touch to the aircraft, I just hope it’s clean….!

[@richardmardis2492]

@@WW2Wayfinder I was thinking the same🤣🤣🤣

[@elliotwhite5230]

Great walk around! Where’s that jacket from, sir🔥

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! The jacket is from a company called Buzz Rickson, however I got this one second hand via eBay as the prices they charge for a brand new one are insanely high so I got lucky with this one! I also have another from a company called Bronson Mfg and theirs are equally as nice and a fraction of the price!

[@elliotwhite5230]

Awesome! Thank you for this!

[@andywilkerson4617]

Just for history....who was that Guy from New Zealand that replaced the Allison with a Merlin?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Andy, his name was Rob Harker, working for Rolls-Royce at Hucknall in Nottinghamshire England. Thanks for watching!

[@andywilkerson4617]

@@WW2Wayfinder Much appreciated for the information. I want to know from his perspective why he made a radical departure from the conventional plane that made such an impact on history.

[@lookson624]

Came to you from “ the history underground “

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Hope you like the channel and the content 😃

[@timbarnett3898]

Great job at reviewing P-51. I was wondering what circle on port side? Then you answered question of use for lifting plane up on starboard side. Considering this plane, what caused two large drips on ground under plane down from rear cockpit? This outside walk around answered several question for me? Pee hole in back was answered. Locking rear wheel mechanisms controlled by rear movement of stick was new for me. an locking system on clamshell wheel covers was answered. Waiting to see inside cockpit review! Great job! This is my favorite plane. There was a group of famous artist asked to select "most pleasing sharp of anything conceived by man"? After months of study, study group choose P-51 Mustang fighter plane. I personally think they had great choice, maybe even second place under the human female!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I think the drops Tim on the pan underneath the aircraft were water. It wasn’t fluid from the aircraft systems (fortunately!)

[@timbarnett3898]

Thanks! I was hoping it was moisture condensed off metal etc.. I'm very interested to see your cockpit controls vid. Also would be so cool to have a ground crew veteran in vid to go through steps in refueling an rearming! I'll tell you, first time I saw this plane I was under guard from jeep, looking down barrel of 50cal pointed right at me, meaning business!!! Spit was there too! Air show on Air Force base didn't start till next day! Oops!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Haha sounds like the MPs were on the ball that day! 😂 I should have had Wilhelm talk through some aspects as he does all the maintenance on the aircraft himself along with his son. A really talented individual, and true gentleman!

[@waynekerr5645]

Off on a slight tangent here, but who makes that lovely jacket that you’re wearing? Very cool.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s made by a Japanese company called Buzz Ricksons (after the character played by Steve McQueen in The War Lover film. It’s a B-10 that I got cheap from eBay and it’s lovely and warm and more comfortable than the A2 jacket that preceded it.

[@waynekerr5645]

Thanks 👍

[@leesherman100]

Tally Ho! Great vid. Five stars! *****

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!!!

[@ikzelf636]

Not your everyday walkaround! Detailed, informative. Thanks for that. By the way... where did you get the B-10 jacket? fit is spot on and looks like a decent repro.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! The B-10 is a Buzz Rickson one that I found going cheap on eBay a few years back. It’s a great jacket and I wear it a lot in autumn, winter but wouldn’t pay for a new one given the huge price tags! I got really lucky with finding this one!!!

[@ikzelf636]

​@@WW2Wayfinder That explains! BR makes some fine repro USAAF and Navy jackets but overpriced indeed. Wife would tell me I own too many flight jackets already 🙂 Great find, great jacket, enjoy! Thanks a lot for the reply.

[@Grossman2868]

The question I've always had is why did they not cover the rudder with aluminum as well? Great walk around. The moisture under the scoop is probably from the dampness of the area causing dew which rolls out of the aircraft. Looks like a damp day and the plane probably spent the night in a nice warm dry hangar. Like backing your car out from a garage in the Fall.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I think it was due to flutter for the elevators vs the rudder - but, I’m speculating on that. I did read the reason somewhere but it escapes me now! Thanks for watching and next weeks is all about the equipment worn by USAAF fighter pilots so hope you enjoy that too!

[@waltermengden8927]

Lighter weight, easy to mass produce and cost less. As speeds and forces increased, the trade off moved to favor metal.

[@thethirdman225]

@@waltermengden8927 Also more feel.

[@Mark.G475]

Cool! Looking! But the P 38 lightning is better looking and unfortunately was not good in cold weather. Cheers from Milwaukee 🇺🇲

[@warbirdcoffeecous]

A better gun platform too having them all seated in the nose!

[@streetfighter5093]

Am 22.04.2023 bin ich mit der Louisiana Kid mit gefolgen. Es war der Pure Wahnsinn.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Fantastic!!! It’s a stunning aircraft isn’t it?!

[@streetfighter5093]

@@WW2Wayfinder Habe ich mir zu meinen 30 Geburtstag gewünscht. Mit meine Papa und Zwei reunden jeweils um eine Kasten Bier gewettet . Dann sogar Gewonnen. Das war der Rit meines Lebens. Die Wettte War ob ich einen G-loc habe. Oder es mir noch mal Durch den Kopf geht. Ist beidrs nicht Passiert

[@Wichelroede]

6:47 -> Is that true?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very much so, it’s a well known characteristic of the P-51!

[@herefordshireregimentalmus8771]

Make a rigger/sumpy out of you yet ;)

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Doubtful mate, my knuckles don’t scrape the floor that badly 😉🤣

[@jjt1093]

I dont think personally its the best ! its damn good for sure and only thanks to the Brits, by putting in a merlin otherwise it was the crappy Allison.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My first warbird love will always be the Spitfire, I think that’s hard wired into me but technically the Mustang was a huge leap forward. Interested to hear what you’d rank as the best then, just out of curiosity! 😃

[@nickdanger3802]

Mustangs for the RAF (P-51A) kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6TUh5KwitV6edU

[@sbaliensarereal]

The greatest warbird was the Hawker Hurricane.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It was good during the BoB but after that the RAF reducing it to roles that it was better suited to such as night fighter, ground attack and eventually sending most to the Middle East and Far East to go up against aircraft it was better suited to as it couldn’t match later 109’s and certainly couldn’t match the Fw190 tells you everything you need to know about the Hurricane by the time 1941 rolled around. It was good when it was needed, then technology moved on and it was bested but newer aircraft.

[@michaelfoster9964]

The F-6 Hellcat, and F-4 Corsair would like to have words with you. Honestly the same country having 3 legitimate GOAT candidates is a nice problem to have. Not to mention also having the P-38 Lightning and P-47 Thunderbolt blasting Hitler and Tojo’s shit to pieces.

[@thethirdman225]

Only the F6F could seriously be considered.

[@jonecliptic]

🦾👀 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@WW2Wayfinder]

100%!

[@twolak1972]

BS. The best aircraft of WW2.was the TA 152 a variant of the FW190. Faster , higher ceiling and better armed than the 51.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Bigger and better numbers doesn’t equate to it being a better aircraft. Or did the TA 152 turn the tide of the air war in the Luftwaffe’s favour in the west and keep the USAAF and RAF outside of German airspace?

[@twolak1972]

@@WW2Wayfinder That doesn't keep it from being the best. That's like saying the F22 isn't the greatest warplane ever devised simply because it has never been truly tested because other countries are so afraid of it. DUMB ASS

[@nickdanger3802]

@@twolak1972 Not cool.

[@thethirdman225]

Oh yes because it achieved so much… You need to do more research.