P-51H

[Randy Haskin]

because the Air Force was buying back civilian Mustangs and canabalizing them for spare parts.

Do you have some reference for this happening? I've never seen evidence of that happening.

[visaliaaviation]

There may be another reason the H did not see Korean service. It was still a front line fighter despite the jets, in 1950. It may have been held back because it represented a formidable defence weapon for the "homeland" (anyone besides me cringe when I hear that term?- No particular political statement- to me it just don't sound like something Americans readily say). If one thinks about it there may not be a single reason.
charlie

[Randy Haskin]

defence weapon for the "homeland" (anyone besides me cringe when I hear that term?- No particular political statement- to me it just don't sound like something Americans readily say)

Off topic...

But, yes, I've always thought that term had sort of a Swastika, "Arbeit Macht Frei", type of sound to it.