319th Fighter Squadron P-51 Mustang Model, Mahogany, 1/25 (15\"X18\") Scale, WWII For Sale

Fly with the 319th Fighter Squadron in this handcrafted P-51. Each model is carved from wood and hand-painted to provide a piece you\'ll love.

• Length- 15 inches; Width - 18\"
• Made from Mahogany
• US Veteran-Owned Business

It was established in mid-1942 as a fighter squadron and trained under I Fighter Command primarily in the northeast with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts. It was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in Algeria and took part in the North African Campaign supporting the United States Fifth Army\'s advance with tactical air support. It attacked enemy armored columns, troop concentrations, road transport, bridges and other targets of opportunity. It also flew combat missions over Sicily from airfields in Tunisia, supporting the Allied ground forces in the liberation of the island. The squadron was moved to Italy in late 1943 and continued tactical operations as part of the Twelfth Air Force. It supported the Fifth Army as it advanced into central and northern Italy during the Italian Campaign. It was re-equipped with North American P-51D Mustangs in 1944. It continued combat operations until the German capitulation, and demobilized in northern Italy during the summer of 1945. It was inactivated in October.

World War II
Organization and training
The squadron was first organized at Mitchel Field, New York on 3 August 1942 as one of the three original squadrons of the 325th Fighter Group, but moved the same day to Brainard Field, Connecticut.[2][4] The squadron drew its initial cadre from the 87th Fighter Squadron.[5] It equipped with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks and trained for combat at Brainard Field and Hillsgrove Army Air Field, Rhode Island until late January 1943, when it began to deploy overseas.[2][4] In addition to training, the squadron flew regular patrols off the New England coast under the control of the Boston Fighter Wing.[5]

On 2 January, the air echelon flew their Warhawks to Norfolk, Virginia, where they were loaded aboard the USS Ranger, a United States Navy aircraft carrier. When the Ranger approached the coast of Africa, their pilots flew their planes to the mainland. The remainder of the air echelon was transported across the Atlantic via the South Atlantic Ferry Route. On 22 January 1943, the ground echelon moved to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, On 7 February, they boarded the USS Lyon. They arrived at Oran, Algeria two weeks later. On 1 March, the ground and air echelons of the squadron were united.[5]