Prior to January 1945, the Japanese obviously had some knowledge of the Mustang's performance as both IJN and IJAAF pilots fought against that aircraft on a regular basis. In addition, it seems safe to assume that the Japanese were able to study at least some wrecks and other Mustang-related material.
On January 16, 1945, an event occured that gave the Japanese military a chance to become much more familiar with the P-51 Mustang. On that day, 1.Lt. Oliver E. Strawbridge of the 26th FS, 51st FG, was hit by enemy gunfire and had to land at the japanese-held Suchin airfield in China. While some sources indicate he made a wheels-up landing, others claim he landed his airplane normally.
In any case his aircraft, a P-51C-11-NT nicknamed "Evalina", was rapidly seized by Japanese troops. It was repaired and given Hinomaru roundels and was then flown to the Fussa evaluation center (now Yokota airbase) in mainland Japan. There, it was test-flown by Japanese test pilots, who seem to have considered it a superb aircraft.
In the end, lack of spare parts finally grounded the plane. One ace was tasked to go shoot down another P-51 so they could aquire parts. The ace (name eludes me at the moment) did manage to shoot down a Mustang, but the plane landed in the Ocean, making it unsalvagable. The fate of the P-51C is unknown, though some spectulate that the plane was bulldozed into a lake, but the remains have never been found.
Two pictures of 1Lt. Strawbridge and "Evalina" before his January 16, 1945 mission. (Photos: USAF).
This is how "Evalina" probably looked like after passing into Japanese hands. The details of the markings after the cockpit area is unknown. Only the serial number and tactical number are known. © Gaëtan Marie