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Dates |
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Event |
1949 |
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Constructed as a JM-101.
Built by Jim Miller. Included a metal wing, steel tube fabric covered fuselage and a metal tail. The wings were actually cut-down Luscombe wings. |
By 3 September 1949 |
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To unknown owner with c/r N5623N. |
From 3 September 1949 to 5 September 1949 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Apparently arrived at the National Air Races Cleveland, may have qualified and may even have competed in the Goodyear class, but we do not have any documented results (no times or placements). The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. No results were recorded for the race. |
Circa 3 September 1949 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races in Cleveland, OH. |
From 1 January 1950 to 1 January 1950 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Apparently arrived at the Continental Motors Race - Detroit, may have qualified, but we do not have any documented results (no times or placements). The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. No results were recorded for the race. |
From 24 June 1950 to 24 June 1950 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed in the Continental Motors Race - White Plains event. The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 158.53 mph. |
From 24 September 1950 to 24 September 1950 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed at the Continental Motors Race - Reading for the Rebat Trophy. The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 169.55 mph. |
From 18 August 1951 to 19 August 1951 |
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Raced as #17, named Little Gem.
Is thought to have appeared at the National Air Races Detroit to compete in the Goodyear class, but no race results have been found. The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. |
From 4 July 1954 to 4 July 1954 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed in the Continental Motors Race - Dansville event. The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 181.06 mph. |
4 July 1954 |
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Photographer: A L King Jr
Notes: Photographed at the Continental Motors Race at Dansville, NY. |
From 31 August 1957 to 1 September 1957 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed at the Fort Wayne Air Races in the Continental Motors race. The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. Raced in the B Feature race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 175.98 mph. |
Circa 1958 |
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Photographer: Pat Onofrio |
Circa 1958 |
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Photographer: Pat Onofrio |
From 31 August 1958 to 31 August 1958 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed at the Fort Wayne Air Races in the Continental Motors race. The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. Raced in the B Feature race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 190.78 mph. |
By 20 September 1959 |
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To unknown owner with c/r N5623N. |
From 20 September 1959 to 20 September 1959 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed at the Fort Wayne Air Races in the Continental Motors race. The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 199.15 mph. |
Circa 1960 |
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To Denny Sherman with new c/r N74J. |
From 4 July 1960 to 4 July 1960 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed at the Fort Wayne Air Races in the Continental Motors race. The primary pilot was Jimmy Miller. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 200.23 mph. |
From 12 September 1964 to 20 September 1964 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Bob Porter. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 200.70 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 193.92 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 193.44 mph. |
Circa 12 September 1964 |
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Photographer: Kenn Smith Collection
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races held at Sky Ranch Field in Spanish Springs near Reno, NV. |
By May 1965 |
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Photographer: Unknown |
From 6 June 1965 to 6 June 1965 |
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Raced as #14, named Little Gem.
Competed at the National Air Races Los Angeles in the Midget Class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 195.0 mph. |
From 6 September 1965 to 12 September 1965 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey from Whittier, CA. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 195.51 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 193.39 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 189.42 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 194.44 mph. |
Circa 6 September 1965 |
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Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: Bob Downey and Ole Tiger at the 1965 Reno Air Races. |
Circa 6 September 1965 |
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Photographer: Timothy Weinschenker |
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To Bob Downey keeping c/r N74J.
Following the 1965 Reno Air Races Bob Downey traded Miss Cosmic Wind, No. 6 and $5,000 to Denny Shermen for the Miller-built, Little Gem. |
From 23 September 1965 to 26 September 1965 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the Las Vegas International Air Races in the Midget Class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 195.2 mph. |
From 14 November 1965 to 14 November 1965 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the Palm Springs International Aeroclassic in the Continental Motors race. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Raced in the B Feature race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 190.27 mph. |
From 1 May 1966 to 1 May 1966 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the Saint Petersburg International Aviation Exposition in the Continental Motors race. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 193.72 mph. |
From 27 May 1966 to 30 May 1966 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Air Races Los Angeles in the Midget Class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 189.48 mph. |
From 2 September 1966 to 5 September 1966 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Air Races Washington in the Midget Class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 192.3 mph. |
From 21 September 1966 to 26 September 1966 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey from Whittier, CA. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 193.55 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 177.56 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 166.79 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 189.01 mph. |
From 20 September 1967 to 24 September 1967 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey from Whittier, CA. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 200.00 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 192.82 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 194.38 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 200.56 mph. |
1968 |
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The F1 class rules were changed which allowed slightly more powerful engines. |
From 15 September 1968 to 22 September 1968 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey from Whittier, CA. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 199.63 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 213.18 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 211.70 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 211.87 mph. |
15 September 1968 |
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Photographer: Wayne Gomes
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
From 8 August 1969 to 10 August 1969 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Air Races Saint Louis in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 216.867 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 209.40 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 213.33 mph. |
From 29 August 1969 to 30 August 1969 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 202.25 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 211.81 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 212.89 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 212.89 mph. |
From 14 September 1969 to 21 September 1969 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey from Whittier, CA. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 208.09 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 195.74 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 212.46 mph. |
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Bob Downer installed a fiberglass engine cowl. |
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Raced at Cleveland. |
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Reverted to the original cowl for the Reno races. |
From 16 April 1970 to 19 April 1970 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the Florida National Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey from Whittier, CA. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 211.43 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 206.74 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 209.49 mph. |
From 13 September 1970 to 20 September 1970 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 214.29 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 209.66 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 206.14 mph. |
1971 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the air races in Cleveland. Timothy Weinschenker comments (24 April 2022): Bob Downey and *Ole Tiger* at the 1971 Cleveland Formula One races. Could be a Bob Pauley photo. |
From 15 July 1971 to 18 July 1971 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 207.85 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 198.62 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 192.72 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 196.51 mph. Left the race on lap 3 when the windshield was lost. |
From 21 September 1971 to 26 September 1971 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 226.89 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 213.02 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 219.25 mph. |
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Frank Johnson became the crew chief. |
From 20 May 1972 to 21 May 1972 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the Wilson Regional Air RAces in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 215.827 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 214.692 mph. |
From 31 May 1972 to 4 June 1972 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the TRANSPO 72 in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 231.10 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 202.04 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 213.67 mph. Started the Trophy race, but did not finish. Left the race on lap 7 with a blown engine. |
From 12 September 1972 to 17 September 1972 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 223.14 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 205.45 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 212.91 mph. |
12 September 1972 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
From 21 October 1972 to 23 October 1972 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed in the Quaker State Grand Prix F-1 Air Races event. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 2nd place. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place. |
From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 221.77 mph. Raced in the Gold Final race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 217.74 mph. |
From 11 September 1973 to 16 September 1973 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 12th place with an average speed of 208.90 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 208.63 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 209.40 mph. |
From 13 October 1973 to 14 October 1973 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed in the Quaker State Grand Prix at Miramar event. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with a time of 3:57.45. |
From 10 September 1974 to 15 September 1974 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 218.62 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 214.14 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 209.71 mph. |
From 18 June 1975 to 22 June 1975 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the California National Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 213.52 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 215.06 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 223.71 mph. |
From 9 September 1975 to 14 September 1975 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Robert Downey. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 220.86 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 205.13 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 195.43 mph. |
From 3 April 1976 to 4 April 1976 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed in the Formula One Race, Falcon Field event. The primary pilot was Bob Downey. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 180.21 mph. Started the Silver Final race, but did not finish. Started the Gold Final race, but did not finish. Left the race on lap 3. |
From 19 June 1976 to 20 June 1976 |
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Raced as #14.
Competed at the California National Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Roy Berry from Torrance, CA. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 219.854 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 205.993 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. No time was recorded and finished in 5th place. |
From 13 September 1977 to 18 September 1977 |
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Raced as #14.
Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the F1 class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Denny Polen. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 194.29 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 180.55 mph. |
From 12 September 1978 to 17 September 1978 |
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Raced as #14.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Denny Polen. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 206.90 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 198.41 mph. |
From 27 October 1978 to 29 October 1978 |
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Raced as #14, named Old Tiger.
Competed at the National Air Races Mojave in the International Experimental Limited class. The primary pilot was Polen. Started the Championship race, but did not finish. |
From 26 May 1979 to 28 May 1979 |
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Raced as #14.
Competed in the San Diego National Air Festival event. The primary pilot was Denny Polen. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 219.517 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 212.842 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 215.639 mph. |
From 11 September 1979 to 16 September 1979 |
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Raced as #14.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Denny Polen. Qualified in 14th place with an average speed of 207.29 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 203.01 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 193.59 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 215.62 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 182.99 mph. |
From 18 July 1980 to 20 July 1980 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Appeared at the Texas Championship Air Races at San Marcos to compete in the F1 class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Bob Downey from Whittier, CA. Raced in the Bronze 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 213.002 mph. |
From 15 August 1980 to 17 August 1980 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Competed in the Corvallis Air Races event. The primary pilot was Phil Fogg from Portland, OR. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 214.840 mph. Started Gold Heat, but did not finish. Raced in the Silver Semi-Final race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 207.230 mph. During the gold heat, pulled off the course after seven laps. |
From 30 August 1980 to 1 September 1980 |
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Raced as #14, named Ole Tiger.
Appeared at the San Diego National Air Festival, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Phil Fogg from Portland, OR. Started Heat 1A, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 197.274 mph. Raced in the Silver Semi-Final race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 202.611 mph. During Heat 1A pulled off the course after four laps. |
8 September 1980 |
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Certificate of airworthiness for NX74J (JM-101, JM101) issued. |
From 10 September 1980 to 14 September 1980 |
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Raced as #14.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Phil Fogg. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 220.59 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 221.76 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 212.88 mph. |
From 12 August 1981 to 16 August 1981 |
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Raced as #14, named Nitemare.
Appeared at the Corvallis Air Races to compete in the F1 class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Bob Drew from Saratoga, CA. |
From 15 September 1981 to 20 September 1981 |
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Raced as #14, named Nitemare.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Bob Drew. Qualified in 12th place with an average speed of 200.65 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 197.03 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 196.61 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 9th place with an average speed of 142.33 mph. |
From 15 October 1981 to 18 October 1981 |
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Raced as #14, named Nltemare.
Appeared at the Texas Championship Air Races at San Marcos to compete in the F1 class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Bob Drew from Saratoga, CA. Raced in Bronze Heat. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 216.169 mph. Raced in the Silver Semi-Final race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 222.838 mph. |
5 January 1983 |
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To Whittier Historical Society, Whittier, CA keeping c/r N74J. |
18 November 2014 |
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Civil registration, N74J, cancelled. |
17 November 2023 |
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Photographer: Adam Estes |
17 November 2023 |
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Photographer: Adam Estes |
