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Expert: John Vargas - 6/12/2008


Question
Hello There Mr Vargas,
I came across a site that is dedicated to the P 51 Mustang. It even featured an
old video of an actual pilot from that era.
My question:
What do we know about the history of this popular world war two specimen.
Was it really as good this video proclaims ?

Thanks for taking time in answering !!!!
Ron


Answer
Hello Ron,

This is a subject amongst aviation historians that could be argued for years, as to what was/is the best USAAF fighter plane in WWII.

Some would argue, that the P-47 was the best, some would say it was the P-38, and others would argue it was the P-51D.

The common consensus is that the P51-D Mustang is considered by a collective…to be the best  Fighter Aircraft of WWII.  It is also disputed by many, many of them veterans who flew the P-47, or P-38, and then converted to the P-51D

Here are the facts:

It was the fist plane to escort the bombers from England to Berlin and back, it was also the first fighter airplane to escort the B-29’s to Japan and back.

It was fast, one of the fastest prop driven aircraft of the time, it was maneuverable, the “bubble canopy” which is clearly associated with the P-51D made it very user friendly as far as being able to see around you, with virtually no blind spots.

Here are some links to the history of the P-51, and it variations (Different Models).  If the links are not clickable, cut and paste them into a separate web-browser.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-51_Mustang

http://www.2worldwar2.com/p-51-mustang.htm

http://www.acepilots.com/planes/p51_mustang.html

http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/URG/p51.htm

http://www.aviation-history.com/north-american/p51.html

Here are some ongoing debates as to what is the best fighter plane of WWII, as well as statistics and information of fighters of WWII.

http://www.digitalsurvivors.com/archives/introductionbestaircraftww2.php

http://www.chuckhawks.com/best_fighter_planes.htm

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/military/read.main/31094/

http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/american.htm

http://boards.historychannel.com/thread.jspa?threadID=600019111&tstart=0&mod=121...

Whatever someone’s personal opinions are on the P-51 Mustang, it has a high ranking, and holds a dear place in American, and Aviation History.

I hope that I have been able to help you, and provide you with some guidance, and insight to the P-51 Mustang, and several other fantastic planes of WWII.

If you have anymore questions please do not hesitate, and feel free to ask.

Regards,

John

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John Vargas

Expertise

I can answer both specific and general questions about U.S. Army, and Naval Aviation from 1913 to 1946, and WWII U.S. Airborne, to include key personalities, units, commands, and doctrines. My specialty is U.S. Aviation Badges (all Branches of the Service, from WWI to the Present), U.S. Airborne Badges (from WWII to the Present) as well as Aviation, Airborne, and Infantry Insignia (from WWI to the Present), both authorized and unauthorized, of the period. I have access to a vast personal library (as well as text from others...such as museums) of text, as well as actual badges and insignia that is specific to this period of history.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience in collecting and cataloging WWI, and WWI U.S. Army Aviation, WWI, and WWII U.S. Naval Aviation, and U.S. Airborne Badges and Insignia. I was the former assistant curator at the Gen. Wm. C. Lee Airborne Museum, when I lived in NC. I have written histories of Wing Badges and Aviation Insignia for several manufacturing companies to include The Robbins Company, Bailey Banks and Biddle, and I am working on the histories for several other companies at the moment. I am a consultant on regular basis to many museums (including the U.S.A.F., U.S. Army, Private and Public Museums, as well as the Institute of Heraldry), and I am regularly called upon to authenticate U.S. Aviation Badges and Insignia (all Branches of the Service) for Fine Auctions Houses such as Bonham’s and Butterfields, and many others.

Organizations
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA-FL) Historian - I am not a Vietnam Veteran, or a Vietnam Era Helicopter Pilot, I was not old enough to serve in Vietnam, unless the U.S. needed a one-year-old, then I would have Proudly Served.

Education/Credentials
I am perusing an advanced degree in history (Ph.D.), with a concentration in WWI, and WWII U.S. Aviation. I spent several years on Active Duty in the U.S. Army as a Paratrooper. I am a Qualified and Rated Aviator.

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