Building the P-51 Mustang: The Story of Manufacturing North American's Legendary World War II Fighter in Original Photos (Specialty Press)

by Michael O'Leary (Author)

41 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-1580071529

ISBN-10: 158007152X

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The P-51 Mustang holds a fascination unlike any other World War II aircraft, and countless books have been written about nearly every aspect of the Mustang's colorful history. However, the story of manufacturing the airplane itself is usually contained only in the opening chapters of these books. Now, for the first time, here is a major work devoted strictly to telling the story of how this legendary airplane was designed and built using rare original factory photographs, documents, and unique engineering information. The author uses more than 300 original photos culled from his personal archive of official factory and USAAF images, many of which have never before been seen in any publication whatsoever. This book will provide a vital missing link in the saga of this famed World War II aircraft, and is sure to become a valued addition to the libraries of P-51 modelers, historians, enthusiasts, and pilots in both the United States and England.

Building the P-51 Mustang: The Story of Manufacturing North American's Legendary World War II Fighter in Original Photos (Specialty Press)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

It is a book which is really a must have for any Mustang enthusiast and one which will delight historians and modelers alike. - --Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, August 2010

Every P-51 modeler would be delighted with this book, if only for the pictures, but it's a good read as well. ---IPMS, reviewed by Mike Kellner, October 2010

Overall this is a great addition to any Mustang library. ---Internet Modeler, reviewed by Chris Banyai-Riepl, November 2010

About the Author

Author and photographer Michael O'Leary is well known in the field of aviation journalism, having served for more than 20 years as editor of Air Classics and Warbirds International Magazines. O'Leary has a life-long fascination with the North American P-51 Mustang, having accumulated more than 3,000 original photographs and vast amounts of documentation relating to the famed World War II fighter. He has also built a tremendous body of work as an aviation photographer, capturing the visual beauty of the P-51 by using lovingly restored Mustangs as subjects for the covers of his magazines.

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Specialty Pr Pub & Wholesalers (August 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 158007152X
ISBN-13: 978-1580071529
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 11.2 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
Average Customer Review: 41 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #308 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography & Video > Military History
- #317 in Books > History > Military > Vehicles
- #874 in Books > History > Military > Aviation

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Building the P-51 Mustang

ByJ. Heiskellon July 6, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

As of my writing this, I am still only about half finished reading this after receiving it, but can already tell that this is going to be a totally positive review. I am amazed at the amount of the detailed information from the inception of the first ideas of this aircraft, right up through the entire history of its production life with all the variables of design. It is a great honor to be able to put names and faces behind all the hard work that made the P-51 a possibility, and everyone is included in the managerial level, and had it been possible, I believe the author would have included the names of each and every North American Aviation employee that contributed to the making of the Mustang (there is even a picture of the 10,000th Mustang made that was signed by all of the production line workers, then sent overseas!!). An unbelievably detailed view at my most loved fighter plane.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

The MOST about the Mustang from P-51 LVR

ByJames F. O'NEILon September 8, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I am not THE collector of Mustang books. I have a unique license plate: P-51 LVR. I do "love" the "cadillac" of the WWII fighters. I also have a collection of books about the Mustang. As the author writes that many good books exist (and some poor ones too), this is a MUST for any Mustang lover/aficionado/fan-atic. Every Mustang-lover has to have this book in the collection. More information than you will ever need about design and production. If you are looking for pictures, they are here. If you are looking for fighter group history and air battles, you must go elsewhere to collect information (like the Osprey series). But since 2010, the publication date of this work, much has been written and researched about the plane. Before 2010, only a few books existed that covered details now presented by Michael O'Leary. Do not pass up this opportunity to buy this book!

0Comment 6 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Almost complete history of warbird whose legend threatens to obscure its history

ByWick Humbleon April 11, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Loads of photos, documentary artifacts, and some inside stories too. One of O'Learys -- who in his earlier efforts tended toward the sensational 'pop' perspective on aircraft history -- best efforts. Only wish there were more details on Mustang gestation; the world pretty much knows about the success of the D-model onward. As ist is, the book is adequate on the Allison-powered generations, a plus. Could have been longer?

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Wonderful photos of Mustang production

ByBillHon October 14, 2010

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

A unique and fascinating look at the actual production of the P-51 illustrated with mostly high quality photos taken by factory photographers. The photos are finely reproduced on high quality paper. There's enough detail that even small items in the pictues come to life with a magnifying glass. Very few of these photos have been published elsewhere.
The accompanying text highlights the complexity and difficulty of deciding what to build and then building this landmark aircraft. Portions of letters and reports are reproduced to augment the clearly written text.

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The photos are of amazing quality and are very comprehensive

ByWayne Wangon January 15, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Albeit black & white original photos, the photos are of amazing quality and are very comprehensive.
If only they had some colour photos (of e.g. surviving Mustangs), that would have made it perfect!

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The Rest of the Story

ByMontanaCon May 8, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Absolutely mind boggling! The question comes to the forefront, "could we accomplish these amazing feats today?" Tom Brokaw wrote "The Greatest Generation" about the American soldier, but he should have included the men and women who performed these manufacturing and engineering miracles.

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... the weeds on strictly the production side of a great fighter, here it is

ByAmazon Customeron June 11, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

If you ever wanted to get into the weeds on strictly the production side of a great fighter, here it is...for better or worse. Great pictures and details. Would be a great reference for a model builder.