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All in-game variants belong to the USA tech tree unless otherwise noted.
Allison-powered Mustangs
In 1940, North American Aviation approached the British Purchasing Commission, which was responsible for supplying the Royal Air Force with aircraft, hoping to sell its new B-25 Mitchell bomber to the RAF. The BPC was not interested in the Mitchell, but asked if NAA could produce the P-40, which was desperately needed but in short supply. NAA was interested in the offer, but said that they could build a better fighter around the same Allison V-1710-39 engine that powered the P-40. In March, the BPC ordered 320 of these aircraft, which were given the company designation NA-73 and would eventually be known as Mustangs by the RAF.
NA-73X
Just seven months later, the NA-73X prototype took to the air. The aircraft featured many improvements over the P-40, including a [Laminar flow laminar flow] wing and radiator scoop that took advantage of the Meredith effect, acting as a source of extra thrust. As a result of the rushed production, the NA-73X was built using many innovative techniques such as being built in five main sections which were fitted with the required systems before being joined. The aircraft was armed with two .50 caliber Browning MGs in the nose and two .30 caliber Browning MGs in each wing.
Mustang Mk I
The first production model of the Mustang was the Mustang Mk I. With the exception of a modified carburetor scoop, the Mustang Mk I was identical to the NA-73X. In addition to the original 320 aircraft, the BPC ordered 300 more Mustang Mk Is, which were given the company designation NA-83.
The USAAC took interest in the RAF's new fighter. The BPC supplied two NA-73s to the USAAC for evaluation, which were redesignated XP-51.
P-51
Despite the XP-51's performance being superior to all other US fighters at the time, the USAAC did not see a need for the fighter. However, it did order 150 aircraft as P-51s or P-51-1s (NA-91) on behalf of the RAF for Lend Lease. 57 of these were held back by the USAAC (now renamed USAAF) after the attack on Pearl Harbor. All but two of these were fitted with a pair of K.24 cameras for tactical reconnaissance missions and were redesignated F-6A.
The .30 caliber Brownings in the wings of the Mustang Mk I were replaced by 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannons on the P-51, while the nose guns of the former were removed. The aircraft was originally named Apache by the USAAF, but this was soon changed to Mustang for consistency with the British version. In RAF service, the P-51 was named Mustang Mk IA.
In-game
P-51A
In June 1942, the USAAF ordered 1,200 P-51As (NA-99). The P-51A was powered by the improved V-1710-81 engine and armed with two .50 caliber Brownings in each wing.
Only 360 aircraft were completed as P-51As, with the rest of the order completed as P-51Bs. 50 of these aircraft were sent to the RAF as Mustang Mk IIs.
In-game
A-36A Apache
The first Mustang variant ordered specifically for use by the USAAF was the A-36A (NA-97) dive-bomber version. Powered by a V-1710-87 engine and armed with two .50 caliber Brownings in the nose and two .50 caliber Brownings in each wing, the A-36A was fitted with dive breaks on the top and bottom of the wings and underwing racks capable of carrying 500 lb bombs. The A-36A was also the first Mustang variant to have provisions for drop tanks.
Problems with the dive breaks opening prematurely led to some units wiring the breaks closed. This problem was eventually fixed by modifying the breaks' hydraulic actuators. Another problem was the ventral radiator, which would cause the engine to overheat if damaged. Unfortunately, this would not be remedied for the entirety of P-51 production.
In USAAF service, the A-36A was nicknamed Apache, but this was rarely used. The USAAF ordered 500 aircraft, one of which was sent to the RAF under the designation Mustang Mk I (Dive Bomber).
In-game
Merlin-powered Mustangs
Mustang Mk X
P-51B/C
P-51D/K
In-game
Lightweight Mustangs
XP-51F/G
XP-51J
P-51H
In-game
P-51L/M
Twin Mustang
XP-82/XP-82A
P-82B
F-82E
In-game
Night fighter variants
Cavalier variants
Cavalier Mustang
Cavalier Mustang II
Cavalier Turbo Mustang III (PA-48 Enforcer)
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