Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-51D.
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Survived as a derelict center section that was an ex-MGM cockpit movie prop that had been obtained from the Tallmantz collection.

1988

Converted to a P-51XR by Whittington.
New construction number, 44-88, assigned to the airframe.
The ex-MGM center section was mated to a rebuilt wing of unknown provenance from Teeters. Also fitted with a Rolls Royce Griffon from the Miss Budweiser unlimited hydroplane.

1988

Assigned civil registration: N5483V {2}
A P-51H tail borrowed from P-51D s/n 44-73518 c/r N5483V. It was flown with this registration, temporarily adopting the ID of this aircraft.
For more information about this other airframe see this Airframe Dossier

1988

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: Spring 1988. The Griffon Precious Metal was a parts-build racer. It started around a cockpit center-section that had been used as a prop by MGM studios, and was purchased via the Tallmantz-collection. (I have not seen any documented provinance to show the serial number for the center section).

1988

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: It was mocked-up initially with a stock D-model tail and custom-built front end for the Griffon engine.

1988

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: The entire H-model tail section was removed from the airframe the other Mustang and bolted onto the new Griffon-powered racer as a time-saving measure to get it ready for Reno. But this meant that the data plate and registration number N5483V became the new plane. Understand, at the time the owners were blurring a lot of information to hide airframes and assets, so not a lot of effort was made to clarify the swap.

1988

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: As can be seen, the tail of the old plane is on the new racer, with the original PM in the background.

September 1988

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: September 1988. The new airframe, because it was a parts aircraft, was registered as 44-88, and assumed the identity of N5483V (because the data plate from the Merlin bird was on the tail section).

September 1988

First flight.
Flown with the standard P-51H tail.

From 12 September 1988 to 18 September 1988

Raced as #09, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Don Whittington. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 453.437 mph. Started Heat 2B, but did not finish. Started Heat 3C, but did not finish. Started the Championship race, but did not finish.

Circa 12 September 1988

Photographer: Unknown

13 September 1988

Photographer: Jim Weiherer

17 September 1988

Crashed.
Crash landing and badly damaged at Reno, NV.

17 September 1988

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: Reno 88. Second racer named Precious Metal and race #09. Aircraft damaged in forced landing when the prop governor oversped at the start of the Championship race. Airframe trucked back to Fort Lauderdale for repair.

17 September 1988

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: The H-model tail from N5483V crashed when the Griffon-bird maydayed out of the 1988 championship race at Reno. The airframe was trucked back to the World Jet hangar in Fort Lauderdale and repaired. In the process of that, the tail section of N5483V was REMOVED from the Griffon bird.

17 September 1988

Photographer: Tim OBrien

Circa October 1988

Photographer: William T Larkins

The P-51H tail was returned to USAAF s/n 44-73518.
For more information about this other airframe see this Airframe Dossier

From July 1989 to By 1990

To World Jet Inc/Don Whittington, Fort Lauderdale, FL with new c/r N6WJ.

Fitted with it is own P-51D low tail.

1991

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: Sunn Fun 1991. The H-tail section was removed during the repair and re-installed on the original airframe. The Griffon bird was repaired with a stock D-model tail unit on it, and registered as N6WJ. It was in this configuration that the aircraft was involved in a near-disasterous (but not publicised) unsuccessful attempt at the 15km speed record at Sebring, FL.

March 1995

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: March 1995. The racer sat unused for several years in Fort Lauderdale, until 1995 when it made an appearance at Sunn Fun. Still had stock D-model tail. Re-numbered race #38 with neon green wings. No name on aircraft, but referred to as World Jet due to the Whittingtons FBO sponsorship.

1995

Raced as #38.
Raced at Phoenix.

1995

Photographer: Timothy L. Weinshenker
Notes: Phoenix 95. Raced in the same configuration as appeared at Sunn Fun as World Jet with the stock D-tail.

From 23 March 1995 to 26 March 1995

Raced as #38.
Competed at the Phoenix 500 Air Races in the Unlimited Professional race. The primary pilot was Don Whittington from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 373.379 mph. Did not start in Heat 1A. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 381.745 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 386.759 mph.

From 11 September 1995 to 17 September 1995

Raced as #38.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Don Whittington. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 380.951 mph. Started Heat 1A, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 356.555 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 343.934 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 379.491 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 390.456 mph.

Circa 11 September 1995

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: Reno 95. H-model tail unit installed. Unconfirmed whether the H-tail was repaired from the wrecked N5483V or if it was a new-build unit. (The current remains of N5483V as it sits in storage is tail-less.so it is possible that this was the unit from the Merlin bird). (Timothy Weinschenker photo)

1995

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: After racing at Reno 95, the airframe was once again put into storage in Fort Lauderdale until sold to Ron Buccarelli in 2001.

2 November 2000

To Lake Air Inc/Ron Buccarelli, Fort Lauderdale, FL keeping c/r N6WJ.

Circa 10 September 2001

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

Circa 10 September 2001

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

From 9 September 2002 to 15 September 2002

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ron Buccarelli from Hollywood, FL. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 383.752 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 378.563 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 371.895 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 375.807 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 381.358 mph.

Circa 2003

Photographer: Ken Videan
Notes: At Reno.

From 8 September 2003 to 14 September 2003

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ron Buccarelli from Hollywood, FL. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 389.153 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 377.608 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 283.457 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 407.200 mph.

From 15 September 2004 to 19 September 2004

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ron Buccarelli from Hollywood, FL. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 405.524 mph. Started Heat 1B, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 382.702 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 389.147 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 407.937 mph.

From 3 June 2005 to 5 June 2005

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Was to have competed at the Tunica Air Race in the Unlimited class, but did not arrive. The primary pilot was to be Ron Buccarelli.

Circa 8 September 2006

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

From 11 September 2006 to 17 September 2006

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the Unlimited class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Ron Buccarelli from Hollywood, FL. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 347.334 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 394.235 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 393.884 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 391.366 mph.

11 September 2006

Photographer: David Lednicer
Notes: The Unlimited Class racer - Precious Metal - receiving some attention in the pits at the Reno Air Races. This aircraft was reengined with a Rolls Royce Griffon engine, driving a contra-rotating propeller, in 1988

Circa 2007

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: Raced in the same basic configuration by Ron Buccarelli through 2007. Airfraft was retired to Florida.

Circa 2007

Photographer: Bradley Haskin
Notes: Sold to Thom Richard in 2011. Same name/race number.

New canopy was added for 2012.

From 10 September 2007 to 16 September 2007

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ron Buccarelli from Hollywood, FL. Qualified in 12th place with an average speed of 410.757 mph. Started Heat 1B, but was disqualified. Did not start in Heat 3D.

13 September 2007

Photographer: Flickr: Milenl

28 September 2007

Photographer: Robert Bourlier
Notes: Modified P-51 racer Precious Metal at the GML airshow, Columbus, Ohio.

28 September 2007

Photographer: Robert Bourlier
Notes: Precious Metal nose art, Columbus, Ohio.

12 July 2011

To Mustang51 Llc, Kissimmee, FL keeping c/r N6WJ.

Abandoned.
View the Location Dossier

From 12 September 2011 to 16 September 2011

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Thom Richard from Kissimmee, FL. Qualified in 12th place with an average speed of 399.178 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 377.466 mph. Started Heat 2C, but did not finish.

14 September 2011

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

10 September 2012

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

Circa 10 September 2012

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

From 10 September 2012 to 16 September 2012

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Thom Richard from Kissimmee, FL. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 463.301 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 420.7 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 425.216 mph. Started the Championship race, but did not finish.

11 September 2012

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

17 September 2012

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

17 September 2012

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. You can see here the right side main gear clam shell is missing. Soon after this photo was taken the damage was spotted by the pilot of Dreadnought and Precious Metal pilot made the May Day radio call and pulled out of the race.

17 September 2012

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. As you can see here the right clam shell main gear door is missing.

From 9 September 2013 to 15 September 2013

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Thom Richard from Kissimmee, FL. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 440.385 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 444.238 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 434.682 mph.

14 September 2013

Photographer: Mike Henniger

15 September 2013

Photographer: Mike Henniger

From 8 September 2014 to 14 September 2014

Raced as #38, named Precious Metal.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Thom Richard from Kissimmee, FL. No time was recorded and finished in 13th place. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 359.366 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 423.785 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 437.952 mph. Started the Consolation race, but was disqualified.

8 September 2015

Damaged.
Caught fire at a fuel stop at Marianna Municipal Airport at Jackson County, FL, while on the way to Stead, NV, for the air races. The airframe was severely damaged but repairable.

2 April 2016

20 February 2020

To Mustang51 Llc, Kissimmee, FL keeping c/r N6WJ.