Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-39Q-20-BE.

1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-3908.

1944

Converted to a RP-39Q-22-BE.
Two seat operational trainer conversion with armament removed.

Circa November 1944

Redesignated as TP-39Q.

Circa October 1945

Transferred to War Assets Administration, Altus AB, OK.

April 1946

To A. T. Shuller, Tulsa, OK with new c/r N4829N.

1946

To Hoyt Scott, Bristol, IL keeping c/r N4829N.

From 1947 to 1950

To W. H. Ostenberg, Scotts Bluff, NE keeping c/r N4829N.

Rebuilt to single-seat for racing, using modified P-63 cowlings and windscreen.

Raced as #15.
Rebuilt and marked for Cleveland Races but did not fly in them.

By 1950

Photographer: Charles M. Daniels

1950

To Paul Eddy, Fostoria, OH keeping c/r N4829N.

1954

To Archie Baldocchi, San Salvador, El Salvador keeping c/r N4829N.

1954

To Ben Widtfeldt, Hayward, CA keeping c/r N4829N.

1954

Ferry flight.
To Hayward, CA from El Salvador.

Circa 1955

To Ben Widtfeldt, Hayward, CA with new c/r N40A.

From 1957 to 1963

To Ellis D. Ed Weiner, Long Beach, CA keeping c/r N40A.

1957

Ferry flight.
To Long Beach, CA from Hayward. Flown by Ben Widfeldt in civil paint scheme.

From 1959 to 1971

Withdrawn from use.
Stored Orange County, CA.

1963

To Robert M. Lindquist, Santa Ana, CA with new c/r N40A.

From 1963 to 1969

To Donald D. Randall, Santa Ana, CA keeping c/r N40A.

September 1963

Photographer: Brian Baker
Notes: At Hayward, CA

From 1971 to 1975

To Mira Slovak, Van Nuys, CA keeping c/r N40A.

1971

Transported by ground.
From Orange County to Van Nuys.

From 1971 to 1972

Restored.
Rebuilt as racer.

1972

Raced as #21, named Mr Mennen.

September 1972

First post-restoration Flight.

From 12 September 1972 to 17 September 1972

Raced as #21, named MR. MENNEN.
Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the Unlimited class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Mira *Refugee* Slovak.

12 September 1972

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

12 September 1972

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

June 1975

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: At Mojave Air Races, California

From 18 June 1975 to 22 June 1975

Raced as #21, named MR. MENNEN.
Appeared at the California National Air Races to compete in the Unlimited class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Mira *Refugee* Slovak.

From 29 July 1975 to 1981

To Ed Messick and Larry Irvine/Rebco Inc, San Antonio, TX keeping c/r N40A.
Baugher says with the Confederate Air Force.

By 1976

Gun barrels installed, TP-39Q ventral strake and dorsal fin removed.

Circa 1976

Photographer: Tim OBrien

From 7 September 1976 to 12 September 1976

Raced as #39.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ed Messick from San Antonio, TX. Qualified in 14th place with an average speed of 310.02 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 288.20 mph.

Circa 7 September 1976

Photographer: Charlene Aro

8 September 1976

Photographer: William T Larkins
Notes: At Reno Air Races, Nevada

2 October 1979

Certificate of airworthiness for N40A (P39, 44-3908) issued.

October 1981

To Preston Parish/Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, Kalamazoo, MI keeping c/r N40A.

4 January 1982

To Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, Portage, MI keeping c/r N40A.

22 July 1987

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

19 July 1995

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Based at Air Zoo, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo, MI.
View the Location Dossier

Markings Applied: BW146, 20
Shark mouth added to nose.

1 January 2002

Certificate of airworthiness for NX40A (P39, 44-3908) issued.

24 September 2007

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

5 May 2015

Civil registration, N40A, cancelled.

To Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Experience, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo, MI.
View the Location Dossier