P-51D Mustang Shimmy IV, National Museum of the US Air Force

The long-range escort fighter that let American bombers reach deep into Germany, shown in polished metal in the World War II gallery at Dayton. This real P-51D-30 is painted to represent Shimmy IV, the Mustang of Lt. Col. Chester Sluder, who commanded the 325th Fighter Group in Italy, the outfit known for its yellow and black checkerboard tails. Sluder led the group's first shuttle mission from Italy to the Soviet Union in June 1944.