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Memorial Highlight: North American P-51D Mustang

P-51D MUSTANG

MEMORIAL HIGHLIGHT

North American P-51D Mustang, A68-648

Fighter Aircraft, Second World War & Korea

The North American P51-D Mustang is long-range single-seat fighter aircraft. Originally used for air-to-air combat in the Second World War, there were later deployed to 77 Squadron and served in ground-support roles during the Korean War. Despite their effectiveness, the American-built Mustangs were phased out during 1951 and replaced with Meteors and MiGs. The P-51D Mustang, A68-648 never saw active service but was instead used by the RAAF in Training and Performance Units. Now part of the Australian War Memorial’s National Collection, the P-51D Mustang is a rare type example.

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In the National Collection

The P-51D Mustang, A68-648, has been preserved in the Australian War Memorial's National Collection.

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About the P-51D Mustang

Type: Fighter aircraft

Make: North American

Model: P-51D Mustang

Serial number: A68-648

Squadron code: -

Call sign: -

Service: 2 Operation Training Unit and 1 Aircraft Performance Unit, Royal Australian Air Force

Conflict: no active service

Missions: -

1940s: Built

1945: Acquired by RAAF

1945-50: Military service – testing and training purposes

1950-1983: Civilian service – training aid at the Melbourne Technical College

1983: Acquired by the Australian War Memorial (REL/08388)

The North American P51-D Mustang is long-range single-seat fighter aircraft. Originally used for air-to-air combat in the Second World War, there were later deployed to 77 Squadron and served in ground-support roles during the Korean War. Despite their effectiveness, the American-built Mustangs were phased out during 1951 and replaced with British-built Meteors and Soviet-built MiGs.

The P-51D Mustang, now held in the Australian War Memorial’s National Collection, was originally built during the 1940s and was intended for American military service. However in June 1945 the aircraft, now identified as A68-648, was delivered to Australia for testing and training purposes by the RAAF. It served with 2 Operational Training Unit (2 OUT) in 1945 and with 1 Aircraft Performance Unit (1 APU) in 1946. The aircraft was retired from service in 1950 and transferred to the Melbourne Technical College as a training aid. In 1983 it was acquired by the Australian War Memorial’s National Collection, and serves as a rare type example.

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Learn more about P-51D Mustang's first Australian Pilot - Wing Commander Kenneth Victor Robertson DFC AFC and Bar.

View details about Robertson's photo albums.

Please note: all links listed below are to external websites.

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