The History and Uses of the P-51 Mustang For as long as most of the world can remember, aviation has played a major role in how wars fought. Beginning in World War I, the world's fighting forces began using aircraft to conduct surveillance missions over enemy territory. While these aircraft were not masters of stealth like today's aircraft, no technology existed at the time to shoot them down. Air-to-air combat was an event that rarely occurred and was almost never effective. By the end of World War I the world was beginning to realize the prowess afforded by air combat. With the outbreak of World War II, aircraft became much more effective. While still covered in fabric, the planes were faster and more agile than the variants used in the Great War. In 1938, the first year of World War II, Curtiss introduced its P-40 Warhawk. This aircraft was one of the best of its time and laid the foundation for modern aeronautical engineering. But by 1940 the German Luftwaffe had begun developing faster, longer-range fighter-bombers. All the current Allied aircraft could not keep up with the long range of the B-17 bombers that needed escort. In 1940, North American Aviation received an order from Great Britain requesting another shipment of P-40s. North American Aviation realized that the current aircraft were not adequate for the new German fighters. Instead of providing less powerful aircraft for the war effort, North American submitted a request to Great Britain to allow them to create a new original aircraft that surpassed the Luftwaffe's armament. The British decided to embrace the new program and thus the P-51 "Mustang" was born. The P-51A model was an immediate success among the British. The new aircraft could fly faster and farther than any... means of paper... accession of the P-51. From the early days of the Model A to the new F-51D, the Mustang fought against hordes of enemies to enable Allied and U.S. victory. The P-51 is a recognizable machine that embodies the entire war effort of the era and continues to inspire aviation enthusiasts. Today there are many people and companies dedicated to preserving and protecting these pieces of our nation's history by reconditioning and donating them to capable museums and collectors. Thanks to the work of these individuals, the P-51 Mustang will forever be a symbol of air power in the world's most difficult times. Work Cited Hatch, Gardner N. “P-51 Mustang.” Nashville. Turner Publishing, 1987. 05/25/14. Print.“Jim Brooks Story”. greyeagles.org. 2010, Web. 05/25/14. "North American P-51D Mustang". National Museum. Network. 25/05/14.n