P-51D MUSTANG

The Potter Collection P-51 Mustang is painted in the markings of 442 Caribou Squadron towards the end of the Second World War. It is dedicated to two bothers who grew up in the Ottawa neighbourhood of Centretown West— Laurent (Larry) and Roger (Rocky) Robillard, both of whom flew with 442 Squadron during the war. Rocky was the only one who flew Mustangs with 442.

Click here to read more about the Robillard Brothers

The sleek P-51 Mustang is perhaps the best all-around fighter of World War II. In 1939, British officials approached North American Aviation in desperate need of additional aircraft for the war in Europe. Just 117 days after the order was placed, the first P-51 was rolled out of the factory.Equipped with an American-built copy of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the P-51 quickly became one of the best-known and most feared fighters in the world—able to escort heavy bombers deep into enemy territory.

A total of 15,567 Mustangs of all types were built for the Army and foreign nations. In combat, they destroyed nearly 6,000 enemy aircraft, making the Mustang the deadliest Allied fighter of World War II.

The Potter Collection Mustang is painted in the markings of 442 Squadron towards the end of the Second World War. It is dedicated to two Ottawa bothers — Larry and Rocky Robillard — who both flew with 442 Squadron during the war.

Type: Long Range, High Altitude Escort Fighter
First Flight: 1940
Total Production (All Marks): 16,000+
Wingspan: 37 ft (11.28 m)
Engine: Packard-Built Rolls-Royce Merlin
Maximum Speed: 400+ mph
Manufactured: 1944
Manufacturer: North American Aviation, Inglewood, CA
Serial Number: 122-39922 Military Serial Numbers: USAAF 44-73463; RCAF 9575
Current Registration: CF-VPM
Recent Markings: RCAF 442 Sqn. - flew last Allied ETO fighter mission
Awards: Won "Best P-51" at EAA’s 2001 Oshkosh convention