MUSTANG “DISCOVERED”

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22246, 15 January 1944, Page 5

MUSTANG “DISCOVERED”

EXCELLENT FIGHTER PLANE (Official Wireless) (Received Jan. 15, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 14 The new Mustang fighter is described by an American commentator as “discovered by the British.” The New York Herald-Tribune says: “Many have regarded the Mustang as the best fighter aeroplane produced, but it remained for the British to discover it. If it had not been for British orders it would never *.ave been developed at all. Its full potentialities were brought out only when the British-designed RollsRoyce Merlin engine was substituted for the American Allison.” It is nearly two years since Mustangs went into service with the Royal Air Force, which for a long time was the only air force to use the type operationally. Earlier Mustangs with Allison engines were, terrifically fast but the maximum performance was obtained at. low levels, so they were given to the former Army Co-operation Command, which needed low-flying fast planes. Army Co-operation found these 400-miles-an-hour aircraft could outstrip the Foeke Wulf 190 in low-level reconnaissance sorties and low-level fighter sweeps. With the British-de-signed engine the full power of over 400 miles an hour is maintained to a ceiling of about 40,000 feet. American experts claim that the Mustang is now in full production and is also being used as a fighter bomber.