Originally designed as a ground attack aircraft (the A-36), the P-51 was transformed by the United States and Great Britain into arguably the best fighter aircraft of World War II. The Mustang provided the allies with a fighter that had the speed and range to protect long range bombers all the way to Germany and back. The P-51 changed the course of the air war over Europe in World War II and went on to serve during the Korean War.

The P-51H was the ultimate version of the aircraft. This lighter-weight version of the Mustang was the fastest one to ever enter service and one of the fastest piston-engined planes produced during World War II. However, the H model never saw combat, entering service in late summer 1945. Over 550 were built by the time production was cancelled at the end of the war. The H model was later deemed "unsuitable" for combat operations during the Korea War due to its lighter structure.

The Mustang was used at Chanute in various aircraft maintenance courses over the years.

The aircraft on exhibit, P-51H-5-NA S/N 44-64265, is on loan to Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum from the National Museum of the United States Airforce.

P-51 Mustang Pilots Association Donates Plaque to Museum

The P-51 Mustang Pilots Association has donated a bronze plaque to the museum to commemorate the actions of Mustang pilots in wartime. Murray Choate of Charleston, Illinois, Regional Vice President of the Association, presented the plaque to museum Curator Tom Hill in a brief ceremony beside the museum's P-51H on 24 July 2001. The plaque will be displayed alongside the aircraft and will eventually be mounted on a stone base.

The P51 Mustang used an innovative "Laminar Flow" airfoil to reduce drag. Laminar Flow means smooth flow. The airfoil had a relatively sharp leading edge and the maximum thickness of the airfoil was moved back.