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Dates |
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Event |
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Constructed as a F8F-2. |
June 1948 |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 121646. |
29 February 1956 |
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Struck off Strength/Charge from the United States Navy. |
From 1959 to 1962 |
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To Antelope Valley Aerial Surveys, Palmdale, CA with new c/r N7699C. |
From 1964 to 1975 |
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To Darryl G. Greenamyer, Mojave, CA with new c/r N1111L. |
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Markings Applied: Conquest I
Modified as a racer. |
From 12 September 1964 to 20 September 1964 |
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Raced as #1.
The airframe was modified. A low profile Formula 1 canopy was installed which had been built from a Lockheed Neptune search light. Also the landing flaps were sealed and faired to wing. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 359.51 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 356.58 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 351.88 mph. |
1964 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: At Reno, NV |
From 6 September 1965 to 12 September 1965 |
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Raced as #1.
The airframe was further modified. The wing span was reduced with special Hoerner tips. Most of the electrical and hydraulic system was removed with the landing gear replaced with a one-shot nitrogen system. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 369.70 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 364.60 mph. Raced in Heat 2 Gold. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 368.81 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 375.10 mph. |
Circa 6 September 1965 |
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Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: In 1965 the Bearcat was not pretty! A good contrast to the gleaming white Bardahl Special of Chuck Lyford. The hours went into modifications not paint! |
Circa 6 September 1965 |
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Photographer: Al Chute |
From 23 September 1965 to 26 September 1965 |
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Raced as #1.
Qualified with a new high. Competed at the Las Vegas International Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 423.40 mph. Raced in Heat. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 1 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 385.57 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 376.0 mph. Started the Trophy race, but did not finish. The R-2800 engine lost power. Mr. Greenayer pulled out of the race on the nineth lap and on fnal approach the engine quit completely. The landing was completed without further incident. |
Circa 1966 |
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Photographer: Unknown |
From 27 May 1966 to 30 May 1966 |
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Raced as #1, named Conguest I.
Again there had been additional modifications with the a geared down nose case from a North American AJ Savage added to the R-2800. The find and rudder heights were reduced by 1-foot. Teflon fairings were added to aerodynamically seal the hinge line gaps between elevators and stabilizer. The oil cooler was submerged in a water-alcohol tank located in the fuselage. A speed record attempt was made, but the smaller fin and rudder resulted in a significant loss of lateral stability with the aircraft yawing and rolling beyond the limits of safe control. There were no further record attempts or racing until a larger vertical tail could be installed. Apparently arrived at the National Air Races Los Angeles, may have qualified and may even have competed in the Unlimited class, but we do not have any documented results (no times or placements). The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. No results were recorded for the race. The modifications unfortunately made the racer uncontrollable at full power, so Mr. Greenamyer chose not to race. |
From 21 September 1966 to 26 September 1966 |
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Raced as #1, named Smirnoff.
The standard F8F-2 fin and rudder configuration had been restored. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 409.97 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 365.22 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 396.22 mph. |
Circa 21 September 1966 |
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Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: Darryl Greenamyer speeding to victory during the 1966 Unlimited Gold Final race. |
Circa 21 September 1966 |
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Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: 1966 saw the Smirnoff sponsorship pass to Darryl Greenamyer for his Bearcat. |
Circa 21 September 1966 |
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Photographer: Al Chute
Notes: Darryl Greenamyer after his Championship win at the 1966 Reno Air Races. Pete Law is on the left. Ray Poe is on the right. |
From 20 September 1967 to 24 September 1967 |
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Raced as #1, named Smirnoff.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 408.81 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 392.62 mph. |
Circa 20 September 1967 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
24 September 1967 |
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Photographer: Al Chute
Notes: Darryl Greenamyer coming down the main straight during the 1967 Reno Gold Unlimited Class Final race. Photo by Al Chute |
24 September 1967 |
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Photographer: Bob Pauley
Notes: Unlimted Class winner Darryl Greenamyer taxiis out in preparation for take off to start the Unlimited Gold final. |
24 September 1967 |
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Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: The winner and still the champ in 1967 was Darryl Greenamyer and his Smirnoff sponsored Bearcat. |
24 September 1967 |
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Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: Darryl Greenamyer celebrates with his crew in victory circle after wiinning the Unlimited Class Gold race for the 2nd straight year. |
From 15 September 1968 to 22 September 1968 |
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Raced as #1.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 343.05 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 374.39 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 388.65 mph. |
Circa 15 September 1968 |
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Photographer: Robert F. Pauley |
Circa 15 September 1968 |
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Photographer: Al Chute |
20 September 1968 |
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Photographer: Ron Olsen |
16 August 1969 |
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Established the piston engine speed record of 483.041 mph. |
From 14 September 1969 to 21 September 1969 |
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Raced as #1, named Conquest I.
There had been more modifications. The dorsal fin was installed. The wing root oil cooler inlets faired over. The wing-body fillet was enlarged. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 414.63 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 351.93 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 412.63 mph. |
From 13 September 1970 to 20 September 1970 |
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Raced as #1.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 378.25 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 351.52 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 297.06 mph. The gear did not retract fully. |
Circa 13 September 1970 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
From 21 September 1971 to 26 September 1971 |
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Raced as #1, named Conquest I.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 405.98 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 396.63 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 413.99 mph. |
Circa 21 September 1971 |
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Photographer: Oliver Aldrich
Notes: Daniel J. R. Sommers comments: That was the year that was full of last minute things to do. The airplane was at the North end of McCarran airport in Las Vegas. It was being prepared in a hangar too small to have the prop on it with the door closed. I went by there on a regular basis watching the progress. I took a lot of pictures but sadly they are gone now. One of those pictures showed Daryl bent over a pile of nuts and bolts on the floor about 3 feet across and two feet high. He was wearing a pair of slippers that were duct taped together, budget air racing. Daryl had a picture on the wall of Lacys mustang with ex inserted in front of champion. Just a few days before September Daryl discovered the fuel cells were incorrectly made and had to have them redone. I was there when the fired up the engine for the first time on Tuesday evening. It was flown to Reno the next day to get there before noon. In 1971 you had to be on field before noon on Wednesday. |
Circa 21 September 1971 |
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Photographer: Oliver Aldrich |
Circa 21 September 1971 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
Circa 21 September 1971 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
Circa 21 September 1971 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
From 1 January 1972 to 1 January 1972 |
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Raced as #1, named Conquest I.
Competed at the Miami International Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Richard Laidley. Started the Trophy race, but was disqualified. |
Circa 12 September 1972 |
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Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, NV. |
From 12 September 1972 to 17 September 1972 |
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Raced as #1, named Buff, Conquest I.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Richard Laidley. Qualified in 19th place with an average speed of 411.19 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 403.51 mph. Started the Trophy race, but was disqualified. |
Circa 12 September 1972 |
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Photographer: Dustin W. Carter |
Circa 12 September 1972 |
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Photographer: Al Chute
Notes: Richard Laidley was the pilot of Darryl Greenamyers Bearcat Conquest I at the 1972 Reno Air Races. Photo at Pylon 2 by Al Chute. |
Circa 12 September 1972 |
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Photographer: Al Chute
Notes: Darryl Greenamyers Conquest I in pits at the 1972 Reno Air races. |
Circa 12 September 1972 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
Circa 12 September 1972 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
12 September 1972 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
Circa 9 October 1974 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races in Mojave, CA. |
1975 |
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Photographer: William T Larkins
Notes: At Reno, NV |
From 18 June 1975 to 22 June 1975 |
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Raced as #1, named American Jet.
Competed at the California National Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 418.49 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 410.68 mph. |
From 9 September 1975 to 14 September 1975 |
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Raced as #1, named American Jet.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Darryl Greenamyer. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 435.56 mph. |
14 September 1975 |
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Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: Reno Unlimited Gold Race Line-up |
From 1976 to 2002 |
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To NASM Store, Silver Hill, MD. |
2004 |
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Placed on display with Smithsonian, National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Reston, VA.
 View the Location Dossier |
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Markings Applied: 1 |
13 April 2012 |
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Photographer: Daniel L. Berek
Notes: This 1948 aircraft - highly modified - broke a 30-year-old speed record for piston-powered aircraft |
28 October 2017 |
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Civil registration, N1111L, cancelled. |
15 May 2018 |
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Photographer: Larry Johnson
Notes: at Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum |
