Mitchell B-25D escorted by Mustang P-51D
Mitchell B-25D Grumpy and P-51D Val-Halla at Paine Field Wa 2009
The P-51 was the “100 day wonder” of WWII. Originally specified and ordered by Great Britain, and ignored by the US Army Air Corps, the aircraft was designed and built by North American Aviation from the ground up in 100 days. When it’s capabilities were later recognized by the USAAC, it was ordered in vast quantities. The range, speed and high altitude capabilities enabled the Allied forces to escort bombers far deeper into enemy territory than any other fighter aircraft.
After flying 1,551 hours with the USAAF, the Mitchell B-25D-30 was overhauled at the Kelly Field Depot, Texas. One of 70 B-25Ds included in a 1944 lend-lease transaction, “Grumpy” also served the RAF.
Historic Flight at Kilo 7 B-25
The Heritage Flight Museum P-51
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