Texas Flying Legends Museum P-51D Mustang “Dakota Kid II”

History:
The P-51 story begins in 1940 when the British approached North American aviation to build a new fighter. North American agreed in January, 1940, and remarkably, by September the aircraft made its first flight. The D model, powered by a Packard-Merlin Rolls-Royce V-12 engine rated at 1490 horse power, was produced in the greatest numbers. It had a maximum speed of 437 miles per hour at 25,000 feet, and a combat range of 1000 miles. It had three 50 caliber machine guns in each wing with a service ceiling of 42,000 feet and was considered the best fighter of its time.

The original “Dakota Kid” was born in March of 1944 at Steeple Morden, England. The first “Dakota Kid” was a P-51 C model, and was later replaced by a D model, flown by Lieutenant Noble Peterson. As a member of the 355th Fighter Group of the 358th Fighter Squadron, his major mission was that of bomber escort. His crew chief, Robert Coleman, is a retired businessman living in Long Island, New York.

It is a great privilege to honor Captain Peterson, Sergeant Coleman, and all the veterans of World War II and subsequent conflicts.

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Specifications

Registration Number	Date of Manufacture
N151HR	1945
Aircraft Role	Nickname
Fighter	Mustang
Aircraft Type:	Wingspan:
North American P-51 “Mustang”	37 feet
Overall length:	Empty weight:
32 feet 3 inches	7125 pounds
Gross weight:	Fuel capacity:
11,600 pounds
Oil capacity	Engine type:
	Single 1695 hp Packard Merlin V1650-7 V12 piston engine
Propeller type:	Max Speed
	505 mph
Rate of Climb	Cruise Speed
3,200 ft/min	235 mph
Service Ceiling	Number of Crew
41,900 feet	Single
Armament	Bomb Load
Six .50 caliber wing mounted machine guns
Number Built	Number Surviving
15686	120+