Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-38L-5-LO by Lockheed at Burbank, California, USA.

Circa 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-53183.

By 30 August 1946

To unknown owner with c/r N56687.

From 30 August 1946 to 2 September 1946

Raced as #74, named Martha J II.
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 Herman *Fish* Salmon. Started the B Feature race, but did not finish. Forced to return to Van Nuys due to mechanical problems.

1947

To Bill Lear Jr keeping c/r N56687.

From 30 August 1947 to 1 September 1947

Raced as #74, named Martha J. II.
The race was from Van Nuys, CA, to Cleveland. Was to have competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Bendix R class, but did not race. The primary pilot was William Lear Jr.

1947

Photographer: William T Larkins Collection
Notes: Bill Lear Jr flying his Lockheed F-5G with acrobatic pilot Betty Skelton along for the ride.

Circa 28 August 1947

Photographer: Timothy Weinschenker
Notes: This image was extracted from 8 mm footage filmed at the start of the 1947 Bendix race.

From 30 August 1947 to 1 September 1947

Raced as #25, named REYNOLDS LITTLE BOMBSHELL.
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 William Lear Jr. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 292.68 mph.

From 30 August 1947 to 1 September 1947

Raced as #25.
Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the SOHIO class. The primary pilot was William Lear Jr. Started the B Feature race, but was disqualified.

17 April 1951

To California-Atlantic Airways Inc, Saint Petersburg, FL keeping c/r N56687.

2 December 1955

Civil registration, N56687, cancelled.

PScream[N56687-P-38L-5-LO. C/N 422-8438. AAF S/N 44-53183. Converted to a F-5G-6-LO. Post-World War II air racer. Entered the 1946 Bendix race, but pilot Herman Fisha Salmon was forced to return Race #74 to Van Nuys due to mechanical problems. The following year this plane (nicknamed aCuMartha J. II ) and pilot/owner Bill Lear, Jr. placed ninth in 1947 Ben- dix Trophy Race (Time: 6:59:57.4, Speed: 292.680 mph). Ex- ported to Canada as CF-GCG on Nov 29,1951. Aircraft was lost on March 17, 1955, after it crashed, nose first, into Mac- Gregor Lake in Quebec. Aircraft was not recovered.].