I actually do not like the Mustang. When compared to its radial engine counter parts in the USAF, USN, and USMC, it was fragile. For example, how many 'Stangs were lost because of a hit on a coolant line. A hit in the same place on a 'Bolt, for example, all you did was tick off the pilot and the crew chief. I am not minimizing the role of the P-51, but it does, in my experience, has an almost cult following. HMMMMM, its almost like those guys who like Spits, 109s, and Lancs. Things that make you go HMMMMM
;{P
Still, I guess that was a problem with liquid cooled engines. I wonder was the pilot surviviability of a 109 vs a P-51. I exclude a Zero because anything above a spit wad would shred it. Still I don't think the 'Stang was the best plane the US had. If you want to compare kill ratios the Hellcat and Corsair were well above it and the P-47 gave it a run for its money.
:{)