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World War 2 Weekend 2005 Museum of Flight, East Fortune, June 5th 2005     North American P-51D Mustang The Mustang was one of the most successful fighter aircraft of all time. In 1940 the RAF urgently required more fighter aircraft to counter the Luftwaffe. The Mustang was the answer: designed by the North American company to a British specification. Despite being designed in record time, the initial version of the Mustang, the P-51A, was a disappointment. Although the handling characteristics of the P-51A were excellent, its performance above medium altitude was poor. This was because its Allison V-1710-81 engine lacked a supercharger.