Of all the iconic warbirds that flew during World War II, perhaps none evoke images of that global conflict as vividly as the legendary P-51 Mustang. Sleek in its lines and exceptional in performance, it played an extremely important role in bringing Allied air superiority to fruition, the Mustang impressed its place upon history. Though many of these fine fighters now rest in museums, very few remain airworthy, thereby providing an opportunity for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs to view raw power and grace up close and in person.
Betty Jane: A True Dual-Control Treasure
Known as “Betty Jane,” this is actually a TP-51C, one of only five dual-control Mustangs in existence, living at the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts. This unusual aircraft was built in North American’s Dallas plant, and aside from the second seat, it also features better instrumentation for training flights. Thus, with its very special twin-seat configuration, Betty Jane allows an insight into something very little understood about the regimen of Mustang pilots during wartime.
Honoring the Legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen
The Commemorative Air Force squadron, located in South St. Paul, Minnesota, operates under its wing a P-51C Mustang maintained in full flying condition and appearing exactly as the legendary Tuskegee Airmen flew. This aircraft, N61429, is an extremely beautiful flying memorial dedicated to the elite squadron of African American fighter pilots who served with outstanding bravery and gallantry during World War II. This Mustang returned to the skies in 2001 after decades of display at Montana State College, again with a legacy flying high.
The Planes of Fame Air Museum’s Pristine P-51D
Located in Chino, California, the Planes of Fame Air Museum has one of the finest surviving airworthy examples of the P-51D, the most produced variant of the Mustang. This N5441V came off the line in Dallas on July 26, 1945, and saw distinguished service with a number of units, including the Strategic Air Command, prior to its retirement in 1956. That it remains airworthy and in such fine condition makes it a true treasure of the museum collection.
American Beauty: A Canadian Connection
One of the very best preserved P-51Ds is “American Beauty,” located at the Olympic Flight Museum in Washington, with the tail number N6313T. This aircraft first saw service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1951 and is one of the very last Mustangs to fly. More than anything else, it is the outstanding preservation of this aircraft that testifies to timeless love and sheer skill that defines this legendary fighter, designed and placed in serial production in an astonishing 117 days – still awe-inspiring by any modern-day standard.
Kiss Me Kate: Tom Cruise’s Airborne Passion
During the blockbuster movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” actor Tom Cruise himself took to the air in a P-51K Mustang, showing just how much being a pilot means to him and how dedicated he is to going big on authenticity. That very plane, actually named “Kiss Me Kate,” is still airworthy and reportedly still under Cruise’s ownership after he bought it in 2001 for an estimated $4 million. Himself an experienced pilot, Cruise regularly takes his beloved Mustang on heart-pumping flights, capturing the spirit of the daredevil aviators who used to pilot these iconic warbirds.
These five P-51 Mustangs seem ageless, flying ambassadors of a sort, reminding us of the bravery, sacrifice, and technical superiority of the Allies in their quest for victory in World War II. Their thundering engines take one back several decades, to an era when these aircraft made their mark on history and provided an inspiration to scores of aviators to come.