Of all the iconic warbirds that flew during World War II, few aircraft evoke as much passion as the legendary P-51 Mustang. Sleek lines, impressive performance, and a pivotal role in securing Allied air superiority can probably ensure the Mustang a prominent place within the annals of aviation history. Where most of these magnificent fighters are now to be found in museums, some have remained airworthy, allowing those with a passion for flying and history a chance to see these machines up close and in their raw power and grace.
Betty Jane: One of the Very Few Dual-Control Gems
Calling the Collings Foundation at Stow, Massachusetts, home, “Betty Jane” is one of very few, a TP-51C, and just one of five dual-control Mustangs ever built. It was built at North America’s Dallas factory, and this beautiful bird doesn’t have a second seat but also is fitted out with advanced instrumentation for comprehensive training flights. The unique aspect of this dual-control configuration gift is that a visitor gets an intimate view of how pilots trained on the Mustang in the War years.
Preserving the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen
This Commemorative Air Force squadron, based in South St. Paul, Minnesota, has been on active duty since 1985 with a stunningly restored, still airworthy P-51C Mustang, dressed in the classic, era-appropriate livery of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. This very special airplane, with the tail number N61429, is a flying memorial to the elite squadron of African American fighter pilots who served with extraordinary gallantry and flair during World War II. After all these years on display at Montana State College, this Mustang took to the skies once again in 2001 to ensure the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy soars on.
The Planes of Fame Air Museum’s Pristine P-51D
The Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California, houses one of the finest surviving airworthy examples of the P-51D, the most widely produced Mustang variant, for aviation enthusiasts to marvel at. This airplane, bearing the tail number N5441V, came off the assembly line in Dallas on July 26, 1945, and served with great distinction in numerous units, including the Strategic Air Command, until retirement in 1956. It is a real treasure that it has been so well preserved and is still flying for this museum.
“American Beauty”: A Canadian Connection
The Olympic Flight Museum of Washington has one of the very well-preserved P-51Ds, known as “American Beauty.” Wearing tail number N6313T, this aircraft was introduced into service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1951, making it one of the last Mustangs to take to the skies. The remarkable condition is testimonial evidence of the enduring appeal and craftsmanship of this iconic fighter, something designed and put into serial production within an astonishing 117 days – something that by even the most modern standards causes one’s jaw to drop open.
“Kiss Me Kate”: Tom Cruise’s Airborne Passion
In the blockbuster movie “Top Gun: Maverick”, Tom Cruise flew a P-51K Mustang. He was really into aviation and as detail-oriented to realism as possible. That very plane is well-known as “Kiss Me Kate,” but more than that, it is still airworthy and remains in Cruise’s hands. Back in 2001, it was bought by the actor for an estimated $4 million. Being a skilled pilot himself, Cruise often takes his beloved Mustang on racy flights, emulating the likes of those daredevil flyers who once piloted these iconic warbirds.
As these five beautiful P-51 Mustangs soar into the skies, they stand as living memorials to the courage, sacrifice, and technological superiority associated with the Allied effort in World War II. Each rumble they make will crank our mind time-machine into action, bringing thoughts of the critical role these aircraft played in shaping history and inspiring future fliers.