Southern Heritage Air Foundation P-51D “Charlotte’s Chariot II”

History:
Serial # 44-74977
Construction # 122-41517

Paint scheme in tribute to Cary Salter of the 354th Fighter Group. 9th Air Force, known as the “Pioneer Mustang Group” for having been the first fighter group to receive the P-51 for combat assignment.

CARY W. SALTER, JR.
Born December 4, 1921 at Macon Miss. Enlisted in Aviation Cadets June 1942. Called to active duty November 1942. Took Pre-flight at Maxwell, and flying schools at Arcadia, Fla.; Bainbridge, Ga.; and Marianna, Fla., graduating August 1943, with Class 43-H as 2nd Lt. Married the former Charlotte Ezell of Louisville, Miss., on June 18, 1944. Departed for ETO October 1944. Joined 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group, 353rd Sqdn., in eastern France on December 8, 1944.
Credited with eight missions in P-47 and 60 in P-51. Decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star. Separated from active duty as Captain October 1946. Retired Lt. Colonel from Air Force Reserve September 1971. Earned BS degree in Pharmacy from the University of Mississippi August 1949. Organized Mississippi Drug Company and was president until retiring in 1986.

Cary lives near Jackson, MS (as of 7/10/2012).

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Specifications

Registration Number	Date of Manufacture
N251CS	7/14/1945
Aircraft Role	Nickname
Fighter	Mustang
Aircraft Type:	Wingspan:
North American P-51 “Mustang”	37 feet .5 inches
Overall length:	Empty weight:
32 feet 9 inches	7125 pounds
Gross weight:	Fuel capacity:
12,100 pounds	1300 miles
Oil capacity	Engine type:
	Single 1695 hp Packard Merlin V1650-7 V12 piston engine
Propeller type:	Max Speed
Hamilton Standard. 4-blade	437 mph
Rate of Climb	Cruise Speed
	235 mph
Service Ceiling	Number of Crew
41,900 feet	Single
Armament	Bomb Load
Six 12.7 mm wing mounted machine guns	Two 1000 lb bombs or Six Rockets
Number Built	Number Surviving
15018	120+