Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-51D-25-NA by North American at Inglewood, California, USA.

Circa 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-73343.

Transferred to McClellan AFB, CA.

From 1957 to 1967

To Ben W. Hall, Seattle, WA with new c/r N5482V.
Purchased as surplus for $1,400.

Circa 1964

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

Circa 1964

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

Circa 1964

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

From 12 September 1964 to 20 September 1964

Raced as #2, named Seattle Miss.
This was basically a stock airplane with minor airframe cleanup. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ben Hall. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 344.49 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 341.52 mph. Raced in Heat 3 Silver. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 340.95 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 344.45 mph.

From 29 May 1965 to 6 June 1965

Raced as #2 {1}, named Seattle Miss.
This was the same P-51 that Hall flew in the Air Force. Competed at the National Air Races Los Angeles in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ben Hall. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 379.00 mph. Started Heat B, but did not finish. Started the Trophy race, but did not finish. On the 6th Lap of Race 2 a connecting rod broke resulting in a hole in the crankcase. The airframe was landed just short of the runway but was undamaged. Left the Championship Race on Lap 6 when a connecting rod bolt broke.

From 23 September 1965 to 26 September 1965

Raced as #2, named Seattle Miss.
Competed at the Las Vegas International Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ben W Hall. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 328.39 mph. Raced in Heat. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 2 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 359.23 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 318.0 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 363.30 mph.

Circa 1966

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

1966

Photographer: Jim Larsen

From 27 May 1966 to 30 May 1966

Raced as #2 {2}, named Seattle Miss.
Modifictions included a P-51H Aeroproducts propeller and a highly tuned engine water-injection and shortened exhaust stacks so the engine produced over 2,000 hp. 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 Ben Hall. No results were recorded for the race. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 347.11 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 349.66 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 369.29 mph.

Circa 15 September 1966

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos
Notes: Photographed Milwaukee, WI, before the Harolds Club transcontinental race to Stead Field, near Reno, NV, as part of the National Championship Air Races.

From 21 September 1966 to 26 September 1966

Raced as #2, named Esthers Mink.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Ben Hall. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 389.85 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 323.28 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 372.70 mph.

Circa 21 September 1966

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: Ben Hall and Esthers Mink preparing to take off for the 1966 Reno Gold Unlimited Final. He would finish in 2nd place. This 2nd place combined with his 2nd place finish at the 1966 Lancaster Air Races meant that Ben was the 1966 Unlimited Point champion.

Circa 21 September 1966

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley

From 20 September 1967 to 24 September 1967

Raced as #2, named Traveler.
Mike Loening purchased this aircraft from Ben Hall. Not much was attempted in the way of airframe modificaitons, but they did try installing a cut-down canopy from Mikes damaged racer No. 69. However, after two qualifying runs it was discovered the stock canopy produced higher speeds, so it was reinstalled. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Loening. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 366.79 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 359.87 mph.

Circa 20 September 1967

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

From 1967 to 1972

To Chance Enterprises Inc/Michael T. Loening, Boise, ID keeping c/r N5482V.

24 September 1967

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: 1967 would be the first time that Mike Loening would participate in Unlimited Class racing. His first Mustang was destroyed in an accident so he purchased the Mustang that had been flown by Ben Hall.

From 15 September 1968 to 22 September 1968

Raced as #2, named Chance III.
The wing was shortened by removing the outer wing panels and Hoener tips were installed. The gun ports were refaired and the propeller was replaced with the installation of a polished blunt-tip Hamilton Standard propeller. In attion there were engine and water-injection refinements. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Loening. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 362.99 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 387.26 mph. Started the Trophy race, but did not finish. Dropped out on the 5th lap with engine problems.

20 September 1968

Photographer: Ron Olsen

1969

To Michael Loening, Boise, ID keeping c/r N5482V.

From 14 September 1969 to 21 September 1969

Raced as #2, named the Boise Bitch.
No substantial changes were made to the aircraft. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Loening. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 374.54 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 340.25 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 314.17 mph. Developed engine problems.

15 September 1969

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

From 13 September 1970 to 20 September 1970

Raced as #2, named Miss Salmon River.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Loening. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 375.46 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 357.41 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 376.69 mph.

From 13 November 1970 to 15 November 1970

Raced as #2, named Miss Salmon River.
Competed in the California 1000 Air Races event. The primary pilot was Mike Loening. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 300.00 mph. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 300.00 mph.

From 21 September 1971 to 26 September 1971

Raced as #2, named Miss Salmon River.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Michael Loening. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 400.91 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 395.89 mph. Started the Trophy race, but did not finish. Dropped out on the second lap with a blown engine and had to ground-loop the airplane off the runway to get it stopped. In the process, the gear collapsed and extensive damage was done to the aircraft, but no injury was suffered by the pilot.

Circa 21 September 1971

Photographer: Jim Larsen

26 September 1971

Involved in an incident.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number OAK72FXQ13: There were no fatalities. Incident occurred at 16:30 hours. The damage was substantial. Incident occurred at the Reno-stead Airport, Reno, NV. This was a local flight from Reno, NV. The engine failed or malfunctioned while in flight. Ground looped or water swerved during the landing rollout. The factors included; downwind approach. The emergency circumstances included; forced landing on a seaplane base or heliport...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

From 1978 to 1987

To Bruce C. Morehouse, San Antonio, TX.

Purchased as wreck, trucked to TX.

June 1987

Civil registration, N5482V, cancelled.

1 June 1998

Assigned civil registration: N5482V

Restoration started.
Long-term restoration project at Danville, IL.

From 22 September 2005 to 2008

To Larry B. Thompson, Marietta, GA keeping c/r N5482V.

2008

Contracted to Midwest Restorations Inc for work on the airframe.

11 September 2008

To Mary A. Thompson, Marietta, GA keeping c/r N5482V.

Contracted to Midwest Aero Restorations, Vermillion County Airport, Danville, IL for work on the airframe.
View the Location Dossier

Restored.

2 April 2010

To Jon S. Vesely, Scottsdale, AZ with new c/r N551JV.

9 July 2010

Certificate of airworthiness for NL551JV (P-51D, 4473343N) issued.

Markings Applied: Live Bait, GQ I, 363668

July 2010

First flight.
Flown by Vlado Lenoch.

16 June 2015

Photographer: Mark Pasqualino
Notes: At Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport

20 April 2017

To Lewis Fighter Fleet Llc, San Antonio, TX keeping c/r N551JV.

Based at Lewis Air Legends/Rod Lewis, Lewis Ranch Airport, San Antonio, TX.
View the Location Dossier

11 June 2020

To Somers Charles Michael, Hillsboro, OR keeping c/r N551JV.

Based at Private Collection, McClellan AFB (formerly), Sacramento, CA.
View the Location Dossier