En savoir plus
All the US forces use of the P-51 Mustang and its stable mate, the P-82 Twin Mustang, are detailed throughout the various theater of operations with the quality coverage one can expect from Rene J Francillon. Mustang and derivatives successes and failures in US Cleveland to Reno air races, as well as a selection of warbirds, ensure that this second and last volume of the history of these remarkable aircraft absolutely comprehensive, containing over 300 photographs, more than 140 of them in color, and with unit tables and operating locations of each and every unit for wartime in World War II and Korea (including South African and Australian air force operations) as well as peacetime in the Air National Guard and US Air Force.
North American Aviation created the P-51 Mustang out of a British requirement for a fighter that could hold its own against the Luftwaffe. René Francillon, after having detailed the Mustang's infancy then service with both RAF and foreign air forces, covers in this second and final volume (spanning ebooks III & IV) the P-51 and P-82 operational service with all the US service branches and administrations.
Old soldiers never die, they only fade away and Mustangs were no exception. NACA/NASA and racers presented an opportunity for these legendary aircraft to further aviation technology. Warbirds all over the world ensure that they will not be forgotten, the magic Merlin engine sound still echoing today in multiple air shows.
A propos de l'auteur
René J. Francillon was born in Italy in 1937, raised in France, educated in Switzerland (he received a Ph.D. in Air Transportation Economics from the Université de Lausanne), and became a naturalized US citizen where he died in March 2018. Altogether, he has authored, in English as well as in French, 58 aviation books, edited or contributed to 20 others, and written over 400 aerospace articles on current and historical aircraft, civil and military affairs, the aerospace industry, airlines, and airports. He has received awards from:
- the Aviation/Space Writers Association (Best Technical Book, 1980, and Best Technical Book/Western Region, 1983),
- the Aéro-Club de France (Best Aviation Book published in a foreign language, 1980, and Special Award for Lifetime Contribution to World Aviation Recorded History, 1991), and
- the Royal Aeronautical Society (Boeing Decade of Excellence for Aviation Journalism, Millennium Award, 2000, and MTU Award for Best Propulsion Submission, 2002).
Over the past quarter of a century, his articles have been published in America, Belgium, Brazil, France, Japan, Poland, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
