Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-51D-25-NA by North American at Inglewood, California, USA.

Circa 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-73129.

1958

To Tony Randozza, Oakland, CA.

12 June 1958

Certificate of airworthiness for NL151SE (P-51D, 44-73129) issued.

24 September 1960

Photographer: Robert T. ODell
Notes: J.M.Jackson Incs P-51D Mustang N5480V parked at Van Nuys CA in September 1960.

By 1963

To J. M. Jackson, Long Beach, CA with new c/r N5480V.

From 1963 to By 1964

To Thomas W. Winship, Corona Del Mar, CA keeping c/r N5480V.

4 November 1965

Involved in an incident.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number LAX66F0178: There were no fatalities. Incident occurred at 15:30 hours. The damage was substantial. Incident occurred at the Santa Monica Airport, Santa Monica, CA. Ground looped or water swerved during the landing rollout. The gear collapsed during the landing rollout. Report remarks include: Tailwheel turnbuckle shaft failed.
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

By 1966

To Stans Aircraft Sales, Fresno, CA keeping c/r N5480V.

By 1969

To Frank A. Barrena, San Luis Obispo, CA keeping c/r N5480V.

July 1969

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Haitian Air Force with s/n 15650.

Circa 1970

Damaged.
Involved in a mid-air collision with another FAH P-51.

From 13 November 1970 to 15 November 1970

Raced as #9.
The modifications included; general airframe cleanup with the installation of a Hamilton Standard propeller. Competed in the California 1000 Air Races event. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 302.19 mph. Started the One Mile Course race, but did not finish. The owner restricted the pilot to conservative power settings, so the pilot chose to fly only a few laps then land.

By 1972

Recovered.
Moved from Haiti into storage at Miami, FL.

By 1972

To Dixon J. Smith, Seattle, WA with new c/r N51SL.

From By 1978 to By 1986

To Rodney Barnes, Oconomowoc, WI keeping c/r N51SL.

From By 1982 to By 1985

Restored.
The work was carried out at Chino, CA.

From 23 July 1986 to By 1994

To Stuart Eberhardt, Danville, CA keeping c/r N51SL.

From 7 May 1988 to 8 May 1988

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the Hamilton California in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stuart Eberhardt from Danville, CA. Qualified in 20th place with an average speed of 287.965 mph.

20 August 1988

Photographer: Nate Wilburn
Notes: Madera. 17th Annual Gathering of the Warbirds.

20 August 1988

Photographer: Nate Wilburn
Notes: Madera, California Gathering of the Warbirds.

From 12 September 1988 to 18 September 1988

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 33rd place with an average speed of 324.820 mph.

From 11 September 1989 to 17 September 1989

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 25th place with an average speed of 356.079 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 333.367 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 332.858 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 327.584 mph.

Circa 11 September 1989

Photographer: Timothy Weinschenker
Notes: Stu Eberhardt and Merlins Magic at the 1989 Reno Air Races. Rudder courtesy of R.A. Bob Hoover.

From 17 September 1990 to 23 September 1990

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 23rd place with an average speed of 355.752 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 360.942 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 361.910 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 9th place with an average speed of 350.932 mph.

From 9 September 1991 to 15 September 1991

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 370.221 mph.

From 14 September 1992 to 20 September 1992

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 374.098 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 345.449 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 361.585 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 344.730 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 347.132 mph.

From 13 September 1993 to 19 September 1993

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 12th place with an average speed of 376.455 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 340.998 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 347.066 mph. Started Heat 3D, but did not finish. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 361.281 mph.

From 18 March 1994 to 20 March 1994

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the Phoenix 500 Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 361.607 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 363.802 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 353.725 mph. Started the Consolation race, but did not finish. The Heat 2B race was cancelled due to race #1 crashing with the pilot parachuting onto the course. Left the Silver race on lap #1.

September 1994

Assigned civil registration: N151SE

Markings Applied: Merlins Magic, FF-129, 473129

From 12 September 1994 to 18 September 1994

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt from Danville, IN. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 371.225 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 371.052 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 353.875 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 365.526 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 331.554 mph.

From 11 September 1995 to 17 September 1995

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 333.680 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 336.439 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 345.518 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 358.093 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 9th place with an average speed of 332.869 mph.

From 9 September 1996 to 15 September 1996

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt. Qualified in 12th place with an average speed of 369.971 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 360.850 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 374.512 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 375.061 mph.

Circa 9 September 1996

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

Circa 9 September 1996

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

From 8 September 1997 to 14 September 1997

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt from Danville, CA. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 367.750 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 361.330 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 364.267 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 371.825 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 348.033 mph.

From 14 September 1998 to 20 September 1998

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Eberhardt from Graham, WA. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 381.050 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 327.735 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 376.252 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 367.380 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 380.638 mph.

From 13 September 1999 to 19 September 1999

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Eberhardt from GigHarbor, WA. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 378.946 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 311.111 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 355.884 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 377.851 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 363.952 mph.

From 11 September 2000 to 17 September 2000

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt from GigHarbor, WA. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 413.842 mph. Started Heat 1A, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 421.479 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 401.687 mph. Started the Championship race, but did not finish.

11 October 2000

To C. S. Eberhardt (Trustee), Danville, CA keeping c/r N151SE.

From 10 September 2001 to 15 September 2001

Raced as #22, named merlins Magic.
Attended the National Championship Air Races, but did not compete in the Unlimited class and it is uncertain if there was an intent to compete. The primary pilot was Bill Eberhardt from Gig Harbor, WA. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 432.733 mph.

Circa 10 September 2001

Photographer: David Leininger
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 10 September 2001

Photographer: David Leininger
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 10 September 2001

Photographer: David Leininger
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

From 9 September 2002 to 15 September 2002

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt from Danville, CA. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 434.755 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 371.474 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 413.507 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 413.957 mph.

From 8 September 2003 to 14 September 2003

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt from Danville, CA. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 374.085 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 347.295 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 362.220 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 368.409 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 389.572 mph.

From 15 September 2004 to 19 September 2004

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Eberhardt from GigHarbor, WA. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 423.333 mph. Started Heat 1A, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 362.319 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 374.934 mph.

From 12 September 2005 to 18 September 2005

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Eberhardt from GigHarbor, WA. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 371.780 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 361.428 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 373.369 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 337.677 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 355.551 mph.

From 11 September 2006 to 17 September 2006

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt from Danville, CA. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 363.732 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 355.698 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 370.018 mph.

11 September 2006

Photographer: David Lednicer
Notes: The Unlimited Class racer Merlins Magic at the Reno Air Races, taxiing out for a qualifying session that ended with a blown engine.

16 September 2006

Damaged.
The rear fuselage was extensively damaged while at rest in the pitts at the Reno Air Races. A technician overpressurezed the oxygen bottle which resulted in an explosion which ruptured the rear fuselage nearly separating the tail.

Transported by ground.
The fuselage was moved from Reno, NV, to Wahpeton, ND, for repair.

Reassembled.
The final assembly work of the rebuild was carried out at Minden, NV.

2 January 2007

First flight.
Testflown at Minden.

From 10 September 2007 to 16 September 2007

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt from Danville, CA. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 373.376 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 365.926 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 365.711 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 360.165 mph.

From 8 September 2008 to 14 September 2008

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Eberhardt from GigHarbor, WA. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 372.295 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 377.4 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 369.389 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 361.452 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 353.662 mph.

From 14 September 2009 to 20 September 2009

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Eberhardt from GigHarbor, WA. Qualified in 14th place with an average speed of 378.968 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 360.064 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 359.074 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 327.994 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 348.557 mph.

By 13 September 2010

Markings Applied: merlins MAGIC, FF-129, U.S. AIR FORCE, 473129

From 13 September 2010 to 19 September 2010

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Bill Eberhardt from GigHarbor, WA. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 367.428 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 361.992 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 363.591 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 342.923 mph. Raced in the Championship race. The race was canceled and 6th place was assigned based on previous heat results.

12 September 2011

Photographer: Mike Henniger

From 12 September 2011 to 16 September 2011

Raced as #22, named merlins MAGIC.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stu Eberhardt from Danville, CA. Qualified in 13th place with an average speed of 383.385 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 336.412 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 367.417 mph.

13 September 2011

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

15 September 2011

Photographer: Mike Henniger

1 January 2012

Certificate of airworthiness for NL151SE (P-51D, 44-73129) issued.

18 June 2016

28 September 2019

Photographer: John Bennett
Notes: Taken at Livermore, California, USA