The P-51 Mustang’s Hidden Weakness

Firepower That Burned Fast

The P-51D Mustang carried six .50 caliber Browning machine guns, each with 188 rounds — a total of about 1,128 rounds. On paper, this looked formidable. But when all six guns fired together, the Mustang chewed through 75 rounds per second, leaving just 20 seconds of continuous fire. Pilots quickly learned to fire in short bursts of 1–2 seconds, conserving ammunition for long escort missions over Germany.

Weight and Limitations

The .50 caliber rounds alone weighed more than 400 pounds, reducing both range and maneuverability. The Mustang’s thin wings limited how much ammunition it could carry compared to heavier fighters. This meant Mustang pilots had to be disciplined, often holding fire until they were certain of a hit.

A Different German Advantage

In contrast, the Bf 109 and Fw 190 carried fewer rounds in their 20mm or 30mm cannons, but they didn’t need to stay in the fight as long. They could scramble, intercept bomber formations, then return to base, refuel, and rearm to strike again.

Winning Despite Flaws

Despite these drawbacks, the P-51’s range and versatility gave the Allies what mattered most: the ability to escort bombers deep into enemy territory — and bring them home