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Dates |
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Event |
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Constructed as a P-51C-10-NT by North American at Dallas, Texas, USA. |
Circa 1944 |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-10947. |
From Unknown to 19 February 1946 |
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Transferred to Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Stillwater, OK. |
Circa 19 February 1946 |
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To Paul Mantz, Glendale, CA.
Acquired as surplus from RFC as part of purchase of 475 aircraft by Mantz. |
Circa 1946 |
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Certificate of airworthiness for NX1202 issued. |
From Circa 9 August 1946 to Circa 1950 |
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To Paul Mantz, Los Angeles, CA with new c/r N1202. |
Circa 1946 |
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In preparation for racing much of the military equipment was removed including; guns, ammunition containers, armor plating, heavy military radios and any other equipment not vital to the long fast flights. Also fitted with a wet wing. In addition Paul Mantz wrapped gas filler hose with dry ice to condense fuel as the wing was fueled prior to the race. With the extra fuel in the tank he was able to fast cruise all the way in long Bendix flights. |
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Raced as #46, named Excalibur. |
From 30 August 1946 to 2 September 1946 |
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Raced as #46.
This race was from Van Nuys, CA, to Cleveland. Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Bendix Reciprocating Division race. The primary pilot was Paul Mantz. Raced in the B Feature race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 435.501 mph. |
Circa 30 August 1946 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Matt Jackson comments (23 May 2002): That is sitting on the Lockheed Ramp at Van Nuys CA. Prior to the start. That hangar in the back ground still remains. |
Circa 30 August 1946 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races at Cleveland, OH. |
From 30 August 1947 to 1 September 1947 |
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Raced as #46.
The race was from Van Nuys, CA, to Cleveland. Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Bendix Reciprocating Division race. The primary pilot was Paul Mantz. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 460.423 mph. There were reports that Mr. Mantz pulled 105 inches of manifold pressure. |
30 August 1947 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races at Cleveland, OH. |
1947 |
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Photographer: Unknown |
1947 |
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Photographer: Phil Krause
Notes: Paul Mantz was the winner of the 1947 Bendix Trophy in his Number 46 Mustang. Bill Greeley took this photo upon his arrival at Cleveland. |
From 4 September 1948 to 6 September 1948 |
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Raced as #60, named Houstonian.
Was unchanged with the same wet wing from the 1947 race. This race was from Long Beach, CA, to Cleveland. Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Bendix Reciprocating Division race. The primary pilot was Linton B Carney. Raced in the B Feature race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 446.203 mph. |
1948 |
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Photographer: Al Chute
Notes: Glen McCarthy is seen with his pilot Linton Carney. Photographed at Cleveland. |
1948 |
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Photographer: Al Chute
Notes: Linton Carney was also a member of the 1948 Glen McCarthy racing stable that was operated by Paul Mantz. |
From 3 September 1949 to 5 September 1949 |
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Raced as #60.
Owned by Paul Mantz. The race was from Rosemond, CA, to Cleveland. This was the first race-horse start. Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Bendix Reciprocating Division race. The primary pilot was Herman *Fish* Salmon. Raced in the B Feature race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 449.214 mph. |
1949 |
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Photographer: Harold G. Martin
Notes: This photo was listed as 1949 but I believe it is 1946. Regardless it is another excellent example of the work done documenting the post-war air races by Harold G. Martin. |
1950 |
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To Charles Blair/Pan American World Airways keeping c/r N1202. |
From 27 May 1950 to 1952 |
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To Charles F. Blair, New York, NY keeping c/r N1202. |
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Markings Applied: Stormy Petrel |
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Markings Applied: Excalibur III |
31 January 1951 |
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Record New York to London flight. |
29 May 1951 |
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Return flight over North Pole to NY. |
From 29 May 1952 to 2003 |
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To Smithsonian, Silver Hill, MD. |
4 June 1952 |
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Civil registration, N1202, cancelled. |
1953 |
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To Pan American World Airways Inc, New York, NY with new c/r N1202. |
1953 |
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To Smithsonian, National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Reston, VA.
NASM Silver Hill. |
1977 |
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Restoration completed. |
From 1983 to 2001 |
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Loaned to California Museum of Science and Industry, Los Angeles, CA. |
Circa May 2001 |
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Dismantled at the museum. |
From Unknown to 18 May 2001 |
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Transported by ground. Delivered to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum-Silver Hill, MD. |
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Placed in storage at Silver Hill. |
2003 |
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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 |
8 May 2009 |
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Photographer: Matt Maranto
Notes: On display at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center |
5 June 2016 |
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Photographer: Arjun Sarup |
