This Mustang was used by the Group Operations Officer of the 52nd Fighter Group, and retains the 5th Fighter Squadron "VF-V" code used by him as squadron CO. Seeing action in the Mediterranean theater, this Mustang flew from bases in Italy. This aircraft survived the war and later served in two Air National Guard units as well as with the Indonesian Air Force. It was returned to the USA in 1979 and has since been restored. The P-51D Mustang, built by North American Aviation, is a single place, low-wing monoplane powered by a Packard-built Rolls Royce engine. Although it was designed primarily as a fighter airplane, it may be equipped to carry bombs, chemical tanks, or rockets. Provision is also made to allow installation of external drop tanks to increase operating range. The airplane also has six .50 caliber machine guns as standard equipment. Armor plate is installed in the cockpit area for protection of the pilot during combat. The P-51D Mustang has a wingspan of 37 feet and a length of 32 feet and stands 13.4 feet high. The gross weight can be as high as 12,300 pounds when external armament and fuel are carried.