[3] It is a low-wing cantilever monoplane of metal construction, primarily of 2024-T3 aluminum and most are fitted with fixed tailwheel undercarriage.

The Midget Mustang design being marketed in 2016 is similar to the original, with the option of building it with a bubble canopy in place of the straight line of the upper tailcone and hinged canopy of Long's original design, making it an M-IA.

However, its appearance and desirable flight characteristics made it an ideal sport plane.

At the Cleveland Race, racers competed in aircraft with names like, "Mammy","Miss Fort Worth", and "Slo Poke".

Over time, air racers modified the aircraft to reach 181 mph (291 km/h) speeds in competition.