Originally designed for the Royal Air Force, the P-51 became a long-range escort fighter for the U.S. armed forces against Nazi Germany. It was a high-altitude flyer able to stay in range with B-17 and B-24 bombers. Due to a quick and efficient production process, 14,000 were built. Among the more famous fighter pilots to fly a P-51 was Fred Le Febre. Flying missions out of Raydon, England, he flew two combat tours totaling 119 missions with the 351st Fighter Squadron of the 353rd Fighter Group. When he became Squadron Commander, the Fighter Group switched to the P-51 plane, and Lefebre's was named, "Willit Run."