Part 5 - P-51 Mustang - Notable Use by Other Nations Tweet

[Todd Carrison]

Though the P-51 often evokes attention for its service to the British and American forces in WWII, the Mustang has been used extensively by armed forces around the globe. Sources disagree on the exact number of nations to have utilized the Mustang, but generally agree that over 30 sovereign states have employed some version of the P-51. The Mustang’s tenure as a government aircraft spans more than 40 years, from RAF introduction in 1942 until the Dominican Republic retired its last Mustangs in 1984.



Australia: Australia’s Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation holds the distinction of being the only non-U.S. entity to produce the P-51. Beginning in December 1942, the Australian War Cabinet was searching for a suitable high-altitude interceptor. It chose the P-51, and Commonwealth secured a license to produce the aircraft at its Fishermans Bend, Melbourne facility, with the production agreement between NAA and Commonwealth being completed in November 1943. To kickstart assembly, NAA shipped 100 P-51D kits to Fishermans Bend, and Packard supplied 80 V-1650 engines. Of the NAA-supplied kits, 80 were completed and the aircraft was dubbed the CA-17 Mustang 20.



Production challenges delayed construction of the CA-17s, with the first production Mustang 20 not flying until April 29, 1945. Deliveries to the RAAF began on June 4, 1945, but the production delays meant only 17 CA-17s were delivered before the war ended in August 1945.

The end of the war led to a vast reduction in the number of Mustangs needed by the RAAF, with only 120 now slated to be built entirely by Commonwealth. The Commonwealth-constructed models were designated the CA-18 Mustang Mark 21, Mark 22, or Mark 23, with each designation signifying a different production block. Though the airframes for the CA-18s were built from scratch by Commonwealth, all engines were assembled overseas and shipped to Australia, where they were modified by Commonwealth.



Commonwealth-built Mustangs were used by RAAF squadrons in the occupation of Japan from 1946 to 1949. When the Korean War began in 1950, RAAF Mustangs assisted the USAF in their struggle against advancing North Korean forces. While in Korea, Commonwealth Mustangs served as reconnaissance aircraft and as fighter-bombers. Back at home, Commonwealth Mustangs served in the Citizen Air Force (CAF), with each state capital being assigned a squadron. Mustangs remained in CAF service until the last unit was withdrawn in 1960.



Republic of Korea: The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) began operating F-51Ds shortly after the war with North Korean forces began in 1950. The majority of ROKAF’s Mustangs were supplied by U.S. and South African armed forces. These Mustangs initially served in defensive roles but were later operated primarily as ground attack aircraft. The F-51Ds played an integral role in ROKAF’s efforts until they were replaced by F-86 Sabres.



South Africa: Beginning in November 1950, the South African Air Force (SAAF) operated 95 F-51Ds in the Korean War. SAAF flew its missions alongside the USAF’s 18^th Fighter Bomber Wing and suffered heavy losses. By the time SAAF switched to F-86 Sabres in 1952-53, 74 of its Mustangs had been lost.

Next Week, Part 6 - Learn about the P-51's use in Post War, I bet you didn't know this.

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