Few aircraft evoke the romantic visions of World War II like that legendary P-51 Mustang. Sleek lines, exciting performance, and a pivotal place in achieving Allied air superiority set the model in history. Many of these wonderful fighters are now preserved in museums, while only very few of them can still fly to this day, letting aviation enthusiasts and history buffs become familiar with their raw power and grace.
Betty Jane: A Very Unique Dual-Control Gem
Known as “Betty Jane,” she resides at the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts, and distinguished herself as a TP-51C, one of only five twin-control Mustangs ever built. This is one of the rare products from North America’s Dallas factory, being furnished not only with the second seat but also advanced instrumentation that permitted comprehensive training flights. With this unusual dual-control installation, Betty Jane offers a rare insight into just how Mustang pilots learned their trade during the war years.
Honoring the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen
A very airworthy P-51C Mustang with authentic markings of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen is hosted by the Commemorative Air Force squadron in South St. Paul, Minnesota. This rare plane, bearing the tail number N61429, flies to their memory to represent the all-black flight squadron with prowess and heroism that earned them the reputation of the elite squadron among fighter pilots in World War II. This Mustang, on display for decades at Montana State College, flew again in 2001, ensuring that the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen soars on.
The Pristine P-51D of the Planes of Fame Air Museum
Housed in Chino, California, the Planes of Fame Air Museum presents aviation enthusiasts with one of the most magnificent surviving airworthy examples of the P-51D, the most heavily produced Mustang type. This is an airplane bearing tail number N5441V, number 4,116 from the Dallas line on July 26, 1945, and served with great distinction in a variety of units, among them the Strategic Air Command, before its retirement in 1956. Its pristine preservation and continued airworthiness make it a true gem in the museum’s collection.
American Beauty: A Canadian Connection
Finally, located in the state of Washington, lives one of the very best preserved P-51 Ds, aptly named “American Beauty” with the tail number N6313T. First to see service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1951, it was flown as one of the very last Mustangs. Incredibly well-preserved remains are testimony to the timeless attraction and masterly workmanship of this legendary fighter. Designed and brought into serial production in an incredible 117 days, this is still breathtaking by the standards of today.
Kiss Me Kate: Tom Cruise’s Airborne Passion
In the blockbuster hit “Top Gun: Maverick,” Tom Cruise took to the skies in a P-51K Mustang, living his passion for flying, and dedication to authenticity. Sure enough, this aircraft, nicknamed “Kiss Me Kate,” is still airworthy and still owned by Cruise himself, having been purchased in 2001 by the actor for an estimated $4 million. Being an ace pilot in his own right, Cruise frequently takes his beloved Mustang on thrilling flights, very much in the spirit of daredevil aviators who once piloted these very same iconic warbirds.
As these five extraordinary P-51 Mustangs take to the skies, each individually becomes a living tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and technological innovation that forged the Allied victory in World War II. At every ear-shattering gulp of those engines, they whisk us away in time, reminding us of just what went into fashioning this momentous moment in history and inspiring aviators for generations to come.