Do you know which aircraft is believed to have caused the tides to turn during World War II? The North American P-51 Mustang is widely known throughout aviation during World War II as "the most aerodynamically perfect pursuit aircraft in existence" by Truman's Senate War Investigating Committee in 1944. The P-51 is unique in its design, construction and use. Its current state, over 70 years later, is also fascinating (Boeing, 1995). The Mustang was to be designed in the United States during World War II. When the contract was awarded, the designers had a quick deadline, it had to be ready in no more than 120 days from the date the contract was awarded. Many sources claim this occurred within 102 days, while others claim it was 117 days. Needless to say, it was beautifully designed as it only had a short period of time to design and create the first prototype. (Writer, 2014) Model A and B powerplants were produced by a company called Allison, later models were produced by Rolls Royce-Packard (or Merlin). The manufacturer of the airframe was the company known as North American, i.e. the 'North American P-51'. The aircraft has many qualities that are very different from those of other aircraft designed in the same period. For one thing, it had a three hundred and sixty degree view (which was not in the original design), but was added later to give the pilot full visibility, something very rare with WWII aircraft (Boeing, 1995). The idea of ​​using canopies with a full three hundred and six view allowed many pilots to see enemies who would normally be in a blind spot, thus saving planes, pilots, aircraft and a lot of money. In this case the canopies saved the lives of many civilians and helped the Allie...... half of the document ......2014, from Boeing: http://www.boeing.com/boeing/history /bna/p51. pageByers, P. (2008). North American P-51 Mustang. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from Catalyst WWII Facts: www.catalystwwiifacts.comHarden, A. (2013-2014). History of aviation. Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States: Twerk it.Lowell, T. (n.d.). Veteran World War II aviator Bill Overstreet and his P-51 Mustang, Berlin Express. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from Warbird News. Time Magazine: http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbird-articles/wwii-veteran-aviator-bill-overstreet-p-51-mustang-berlin-express.htmlMoeing, P. E. (2007). Anatomy of World War II aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing Itd.Writer, S. (2014, February 15). The P-51 is undoubtedly the most recognized and celebrated American fighter of World War II. Retrieved May 13, 2014, from Military Factory: http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=77