I AGREE with Derrick Holt (September 2): we here in the UK obviously see and hear more of the Hurricane and Spitfire than the hard-working, long range bomber escort, the North American Mustang.

We do have a few flying here, but one less due to a mid-air collision on July 10, 2002, at Duxford’s Flying Legends air show, between an American Skyraider and the Mustang, which was destroyed.

The pilot/owner parachuted to safety, and the Skyraider landed safely but with severe wing damage (why do they have to emulate well-trained WWII pilots?).

The Mustang was designed from the outset to satisfy the needs of the RAF. Powered by the 1,150hp Allison engine, it was built in 100 days in 1940, later going to the USAAF (AA - Army Airfare).

No 26 Squadron RAF at Gatwick received the first Mustangs, carrying out armed tactical photo’ reconnaissance missions deep into France by May 1942.

The late Wing Commander ‘Major’ Malings, who farmed at Bucknell, near Bicester, has spoken of the versatility and power of the Allison engine below 10,000ft, although it tailed off above that height.

That is, until it was fitted with the Packard Merlin,which gave it a top speed of 442mph and a staggering ceiling of 42,500ft.

Readers may find it interesting to see WWII Allison and Rolls Royce aircraft engines in action at ‘tractor pulls’.

TONY O’GORMAN, Main Street, Hethe, Bicester