The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

Following America’s entry into the Second World War, the USAAF immediately began preparing itself for the battles ahead.One of its new requirements was for a fighter that could fly deep into Europe or over the vast distances of the Pacific.While this included extending the range of all of the USAAF’s tactical aircraft, particularly fighters, in what was called the Fighter Aircraft Range Extension Program, particular attention was given to the North American P-51 Mustang. The ground-breaking American program resulted in the design of the Lockheed P-38J and the North American P-51B, which were both intended to escort USAAF long-range bombers to any target they were tasked to attack.The pair was still in development when the USAAF undertook the infamous raids on the Bavarian city of Schweinfurt in August and October 1943.The only escort fighters available at that time were the shorter-range Republic P-47s Thunderbolts.The raids were disastrous for the bombers. Spurred on by the events at