[HEERDT]

P-51 was designed for high altitude bomber escort.

Not designed for low level combat dog fights.

Hence, the perceived lack of performance.

yep, due to the laminer flow type wing. it hindered low altitude manuevering , but excelled at high altitude. which is where it was used most. if you read richard curtis's book " dumb but lucky" , he emphasizes that the US mandated 200 hours on the p-51 alone before it was to be flown in combat. a lot of great men died in that aircraft due to their lack of understanding, daringness or lack of skill while flying the p-51 "not" in combat. but in low altitude accidents.