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In 1942 the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was looking for
a new fighter aircraft. They decided on the P-51 Mustang as their high
altitutde interceptor. In late 1943, an agreement between NAA and the RAAF was
reached. An Australian aircraft company, Commonweath Aircraft Corporation (CAC),
would build P-51Ds under license in Australia.
As part of the agreement, NAA would supply 100 P-51D Mustangs unassembled and
Packard would supply some 80+ -3 Merlin engines. Delays mounted and the first
CAC P-51 did not fly until April 1945. In all, 80 P-51s were completed from these
parts and designated CA-17Mk.20, A68-1 to A68-80.
As the war came to an end, the total scratch built CAC P-51s was reduced to 120
aircraft. The CAC new built P-51s were designated CA-18. Versions would be
the Mark 21, Mark 22, and Mark 23.
The Merlin V-1650-7 was used in the CA-18Mk.21 models.
The CA-18Mk.23 use the Brittish built Rolls Royce Merlin 66 or 70 versions. The
CA-18Mk.22 were modified like the F-6D reconnaissance versions. The last
CA-18Mk.23 came off the production line in 1952.
Australia also received 298 P-51Ds from the U.S. under Lend-Lease. After the
Aussie Mustangs were surplussed, Australia became a popular site for P-51
airframes and parts. Restorerers and collectors alike would travel down under
to make deals and trades. Several P-51s have remained in Austalia and are kept
airworthy and well cared for by their pilots and owners.
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