Dates

Event

1977

Constructed as a Special IIM.

To Glen Freeman with new c/r N55X.

From 13 September 1977 to 18 September 1977

Raced as #69.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth from Hesperia, CA. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 172.80 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 182.59 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 177.49 mph.

After 1977

Photographer: Charlene Aro

After 1977

Photographer: Charlene Aro

From 12 September 1978 to 17 September 1978

Raced as #69, named PASSING FANCY.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 194.95 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 177.83 mph.

To Ray Cote keeping c/r N55X.

From 27 October 1978 to 29 October 1978

Raced as #69.
Competed at the National Air Races Mojave in the International Experimental Limited class. The primary pilot was Wentworth. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 208.13 mph.

From 11 September 1979 to 16 September 1979

Raced as #69, named PASSING FANCY.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 201.49 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 196.63 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 190.86 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 196.95 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 203.25 mph.

To Chuck Wentworth keeping c/r N55X.

The airframe was heavily modified.

From 18 July 1980 to 20 July 1980

Raced as #69, named PASSING FANCY.
Competed at the Texas Championship Air Races at San Marcos in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth from Hesperia, CA. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 218.447 mph. Raced in Heat 1 Bronze. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 214.954 mph. Raced in Round 2. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 207.418 mph. Raced in the Silver Semi-Final race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 212.714 mph.

From 10 September 1980 to 14 September 1980

Raced as #69, named Flexi-Flyer.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth. Qualified in 13th place with an average speed of 222.24 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 210.73 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 206.87 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 211.53 mph.

From 12 August 1981 to 16 August 1981

Raced as #69, named Flexi-Flyer.
Competed at the Corvallis Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth from Hesperia, CA. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 213.186 mph. Raced in Gold Heat. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 204.591 mph. Raced in the Gold Final race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 215.515 mph.

From 15 September 1981 to 20 September 1981

Raced as #69, named Flexi Flyer.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 212.93 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 207.63 mph. Started the Medallion 2 race, but did not finish. As Chuck Wentworth rounded the #4 pylon on the 5th lap and headed toward the #5 pylon a prop blade was through. The resulting severe vibration shook the engine loose from its mounts leaving it hanging by its safety cables. Wentworth came inside of the #5 pylon and across the infield with the center of gravity almost totally aft on the airplane. He brought it safely down to within a few feet above the runway where it stalled impacting on the right wing absorbing most of the initial impact. The aircraft was severely damaged, but Wentworth walked away from it with only a few minor bruises and some soreness.

15 September 1981

Certificate of airworthiness for NX55X (CASSUTT M-II, 501) issued.

Circa 15 September 1981

Photographer: Al Chute
Notes: That Chuck Wentworth survived this incident is absolutely remarkable and miraculous! Timing was everything. The failure occurred close to an area where he could get the plane down and also the engine did not fall completely off! Another Al Chute photo.

Circa 15 September 1981

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

Tom Aberle comments: I flew that airplane/engine/prop several months prior to this incident. On one takeoff the airplane accellerated to flyable, I lifted iit off which slowed it a bit which produced a vibration which was moving the nose cowl up and down what looked like 4. By gently ever so gently I let the nose down, almost touching the mains but it allowed the airplane to accellerate out of the propeller vibration range. I vowed to never lift off at less than 100mph!

Tom Aberle comments: That afternoon I had a fuel line failure, flexibile line from firewall to engine driven pump. I had been looking at Chucks wreckage and saw that the ONLY thing unbroken was the fuel line from firewall to carb. Chuck came to the airport and I asked if I could steal the fuel line and he said anything I need. That fuel line raced several Renos.

From 14 September 1982 to 19 September 1982

Raced as #69, named Flexi-Flyer.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 226.82 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 217.51 mph. Raced in the Championship race. No time was recorded and finished in 6th place.

From 12 September 1983 to 18 September 1983

Raced as #69, named FLEXI Flyer.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Chuck Wentworth. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 239.23 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 239.02 mph.

12 September 1983

Photographer: Jim Weiherer

12 September 1983

Photographer: Jim Weiherer

12 September 1983

Photographer: Jim Weiherer

To Tommy Aslett keeping c/r N55X.

From 10 September 1984 to 16 September 1984

Raced as #69, named Lil Thumper.
Purchased by Aslett at the Races from Chuck Wentworth. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Tom Aslett. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 214.647 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 231.663 mph. Raced in Heat 4B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 227.792 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 235.344 mph.

Photographer: Charlene Aro

From 9 August 1985 to 11 August 1985

Raced as #69, named Lil Thumper.
Attended the Richland Air Races and it is uncertain if there was an intent to compete. The primary pilot was Tom Aslett from Twin Falls, ID.
Your Assistance is Needed: It is not clear if this racer was in competition. Can you confirm?
Share Your Information with Everyone by Editting the Documented History

From 9 September 1985 to 15 September 1985

Raced as #69, named Lil Thumper.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Thomas Aslett. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 227.099 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 216.856 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 229.010 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 226.348 mph.

To Don Beck keeping c/r N55X.

From 11 September 1989 to 17 September 1989

Raced as #69.
Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the F1 class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Don Beck. Disqualified by RARA.

From 17 September 1990 to 23 September 1990

Raced as #69, named MISS RENO.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Don Beck from Tahoe Vista, CA. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 225.272 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 220.976 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 219.696 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 225.017 mph.

From Circa March 1991 to After September 1991

Placed up for sale by Don Beck for $30,000 including a trailer.

From 9 September 1991 to 15 September 1991

Raced as #69, named MISS RENO.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Don Beck. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 226.319 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 206.425 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 221.848 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 230.465 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 230.828 mph.

21 August 1992

To Troy A. Channing, San Ramon, CA keeping c/r N55X.

From 14 September 1992 to 20 September 1992

Raced as #69, named Miss Reno.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Troy Channing from San Ramon, CA. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 229.332 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 218.544 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 217.708 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 216.019 mph.

From 13 September 1993 to 19 September 1993

Raced as #69, named Miss Reno.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Troy Channing from San Ramon, CA. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 236.602 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 213.943 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 223.443 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 220.687 mph.

15 September 1993

Photographer: Jim Weiherer

From Circa November 1993 to After March 1994

Placed up for sale by Troy Channing including a trailer.

From 14 March 1994 to 20 March 1994

Raced as #69, named Miss Reno.
Competed at the Phoenix 500 Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Troy Channing from San Ramon, CA. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 236.408 mph. Started Heat 1A, but did not finish. Left the Heat 1A race on lap #7.

From Circa July 1994 to After January 1996

Placed up for sale by bill Schwantes, including a trailer for $27,000.

To Jay Jones keeping c/r N55X.

From 8 September 2003 to 14 September 2003

Raced as #55, named Excalibur.
Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the F1 class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Larry Lechner from Buena Vista, CO.

September 2003

Crashed.
Destroyed during a practice/qualifying flight for the 2003 races. Eric Hubler comments (24 September 2019): The prop broke and Larry got excited landing it to fast, he went off the cliff at the end of the runway. The gear broke his ankles. We hauled it off the hillside that is the last I saw of it.

27 June 2013

Civil registration, N55X, cancelled.