When World War II ended in 1945, the P-51 Mustang was widely regarded as the best piston-engine fighter ever built. But the rise of jet aircraft like the F-86 Sabre and MiG-15 quickly pushed piston-driven planes into obsolescence for frontline air combat.
However, the P-51 refused to disappear — it simply adapted.
The Korean War
When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the U.S. Air Force needed an aircraft that could perform close air support and ground attack missions.
Early jet fighters, like the F-80 Shooting Star, were fast but lacked endurance and ruggedness at low altitudes.
The solution? Bring back the P-51 Mustang, now designated the F-51.
F-51s were tasked with strafing enemy supply lines, attacking tanks, and supporting ground troops.
Their long range and ability to operate from rough airstrips made them extremely valuable.
Though vulnerable to enemy ground fire and MiG-15s at higher altitudes, they were devastating at low-level operations.
Sadly, many Mustangs were lost to anti-aircraft fire during these missions, but their contributions were crucial in the early stages of the war.
Continued Service Around the World
The P-51 saw action in the air forces of dozens of countries post-WWII, including:
Israel — Used P-51s during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
Dominican Republic — Kept P-51s operational into the 1980s
Sweden, Italy, South Africa, and others — Operated Mustangs well into the Cold War
In smaller or newly independent nations, the P-51 served as a frontline fighter, interceptor, and ground-attack aircraft for years.
It was cheap, reliable, powerful — and a perfect fit for militaries that couldn’t afford expensive jets.
Civilian Use: Racing and Recreation
In the postwar years, thousands of surplus Mustangs were sold off to civilians.
Some of the most dramatic uses were:
Air Racing: The Mustang became a star of the Reno Air Races, where pilots heavily modified them to reach incredible speeds (often over 500 mph).
Private Ownership: Wealthy pilots and warbird enthusiasts restored Mustangs to pristine flying condition.
Aerial Cinematography: Mustangs often played the role of Luftwaffe fighters in Hollywood films like Battle of Britain and Empire of the Sun.