AMERICA AT WAR. Preparing a U.S. fighter plane engine for a sea voyage.

AMERICA AT WAR. Preparing a U.S. fighter plane engine for a sea voyage. The heart of a United States P-51 Mustang fighter-bomber, its powerful yet delicate engine, is prepared for shipment overseas by spraying it with a special oil to prevent corrosion. All spark plugs are removed, greased and carefully wrapped in wax paper, and dehydrated plugs are installed in their place to absorb any moisture left in the cylinders. Intake and exhaust ports and other openings are sealed in each one. This power plant, a 12-cylinder liquid cooled engine of over 1,500 horsepower, gives the Mustang a speed over 400 miles an hour and the endurance to accompany heavy U.S. bombers in shuttle raids from England and Italy over Germany to new United States Army Air Force bases in Russia. P-51 Mustang.