The plane is an old Top Flight kit originally designed by Dave Platt circa late 1960's and finished in the box top depiction. If it was built according to the plans, the ailerons (outer pair on the wing) and flaps (inner pair on the wing) are solid balsa wood blocks. Hence the feel and heft. BTW, the flaps move the same direction together and only go down. 50 degrees from level is the max deflection for the P-51 flaps. The ailerons move opposite each other. That is one goes up the other goes down. They cause the plane to bank or roll over to one side. The tail pieces are all sheet wood. Original plans had a fixed, i.e. did not turn, tail wheel. I'd be tempted to let the tail wheel free wheel instead, i.e. turns but no control to it. Then run a piece of the Sullivan Push Rod to the rudder from up front. You can get the original plans in a free download from Outerzone. P-51B plans

The plans show the construction and control details you're asking about. The entire thing should have been sheeted with balsa, covered with fiberglass and painted. But there's no accounting for what people did back then.

The plane flew well on a 60 sized engine of the day. So I wouldn't try to change to anything bigger. I had an OS 60 Gold Head and Rhom Air retracts in mine in 1974. I also converted mine to the 'D' model with a bubble canopy.

Ask yourself if you were learning to fly full size (butt strapped firmly in the seat), would you start with a P-51? A single seat high performance fighter? Models are not unlike the full size in that you need to start with a trainer. Typically a high wing with trike gear (nose wheel). Then you progress to low wing, tail draggers, aerobatic and so on. About 3 or more planes into it, you might be ready for a war bird. But don't hold your breath. I was probably approaching ten planes under my belt when I built the Mustang.

If it were me I'd repair any damage, clean the whole thing up and hang it in a place of honor somewhere in my house. While solidly built, you have no history of the model. You don't know what if any repairs have been carried out on it. You don't know what kind of glue was used and if it's still good. Or why the model was retired and tossed in the trash?

Get with a local club. There are several in your area. A trip to a dedicated RC hobby shop is a good way to locate all the clubs in the area. Someone may even recognize the plane and be able to tell you something about the builder, owner, etc.