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{{Short description|P-51D Mustang race aircraft}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} |
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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin |
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin |
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| name = ''The Galloping Ghost'' |
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| image = Galloping Ghost.jpg |
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| caption = ''The Galloping Ghost'' in 2010 |
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}}{{Infobox aircraft career |
}}{{Infobox aircraft career |
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|sole example of type?= N <!-- only Y or N --> |
| sole example of type? = N <!-- only Y or N --> |
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|aircraft name |
| aircraft name = <!-- Name given this aircraft (not its type). If no name given, use registration number, or however this individual aircraft is most usually identified --> |
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|other names |
| other names = <!--Other names (nicknames, nose art names) this aircraft is known by--> |
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|type |
| type = [[North American P-51 Mustang|North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang]] |
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|manufacturer |
| manufacturer = [[North American Aviation]] <!-- ONLY AVAILABLE IF STANDING ALONE - may differ from the main/original manufacturer of this aircraft's type --> |
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|construction number |
| construction number = <!-- manufacturer's construction number --> |
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|construction date |
| construction date = <!-- either roll-out date or span of time for lengthy projects, whichever seems more appropriate --> |
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|civil registration |
| civil registration = N79111<!-- any civil registrations carried by this aircraft --> |
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|military serial |
| military serial = 44-15651<!-- any military serial numbers carried by this aircraft --> |
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|radio code |
| radio code = <!-- military radio codes where this is a commonly-used way of identifying this aircraft (eg. US, British, and German military aircraft of WWII --> |
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|first flight |
| first flight = <!-- date of first flight --> |
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|owners |
| owners = <!-- owners or operators, whether private individuals, companies, or military services --> |
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|in service |
| in service = <!-- time in military or revenue service, as a range of dates --> |
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|flights |
| flights = <!-- number of flights made by this aircraft, usually only relevant for an aircraft no longer flying --> |
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|total hours |
| total hours = <!-- total number of hours flown by this aircraft, usually only relevant for an aircraft no longer flying --> |
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|total distance |
| total distance = <!-- total distance flown by this aircraft, usually only relevant for an aircraft no longer flying --> |
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|fate |
| fate = [[2011 Reno Air Races crash|Crashed September 2011]] <!-- fate/disposition of this aircraft --> |
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|preservation |
| preservation = <!-- where this aircraft is currently preserved (if it is) --> |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''The Galloping Ghost''''' was a [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51D Mustang]] air racer that held various airspeed records and whose [[2011 Reno Air Races crash|fatal crash in 2011]] led to several [[National Transportation Safety Board|NTSB]] recommendations to make air shows safer.<ref name="NTSB_recommendations">{{Cite web |title=Aviation accident at the Reno Air Race |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/pages/2011_reno_nv.aspx |access-date=March 24, 2019 |website=www.ntsb.gov}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Built in 1944 by [[North American Aviation]] for the [[Army Air Force]], the plane was sold as postwar surplus. Over the next half-century, it was modified and raced by a series of owners, including, finally, Aero Trans Corp. in [[Ocala, Florida]].<ref>[http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=79111 "P-51D Mustang/44-15651"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108112638/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=79111 |date=January 8, 2015 }} ''FAA Registry'' Retrieved May 26, 2011.</ref> It was destroyed on September 16, 2011, when it crashed into spectators at the [[Reno Air Races]], at the [[Reno Stead Airport]] north of [[Reno, Nevada]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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''The Galloping Ghost'' was built by |
''The Galloping Ghost'' was built by North American Aviation as a P-51D-15-NA, Army Air Force serial number 44-15651,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_1.html|title=1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-001 to 44-30910)|website=www.joebaugher.com|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref> at the NAA's [[Inglewood, California]], plant<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/p51production.php|title=P-51 Mustang Production|website=mustangsmustangs.com|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref> for military use during [[World War II]]. Once the aircraft was delivered, it was transferred to [[Marine Corps Air Facility Walnut Ridge|Walnut Ridge Army Air Field]] in [[Walnut Ridge, Arkansas]]. It was later classified as surplus stock and offered to the public for around $3,500 (${{Inflation|US|3509|1946|r=-2|fmt=c}} today). Around that time, Steve Beville and Bruce Raymond were looking to compete in the [[National Air Races]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio]], that were to be held in September. Beville was able to secure the aircraft from the [[War Assets Administration|WAA]] on July 22, 1946, even though P-51 sales at Walnut Ridge Army Air Field had formally ended. Thus, the aircraft was the last to be sold to the public.<ref>{{cite book|author=Nick Veronico Nicholas A. Veronico A. Kevin Grantham Scott Thompson|title=Military Aircraft Boneyards|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LOdCcxbw_j8C&pg=PA64|publisher=Zenith Imprint|isbn=978-1-61060-732-2|pages=63–65}}</ref> |
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Beville and Raymond registered the plane as NX79111 and named it ''The Galloping Ghost'' after football star [[Red Grange]]. Raymond piloted the aircraft in its first race, the 1946 [[Thompson Trophy]], the first since |
Beville and Raymond registered the plane as NX79111 and named it ''The Galloping Ghost'' after football star [[Red Grange]]. Raymond piloted the aircraft in its first race, the 1946 [[Thompson Trophy]], the first since 1939, when World War II suspended the annual event. Raymond took fourth place on the closed-course track, winning $3,000.<ref name="www2.leewardairranch.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www2.leewardairranch.com/racing/results?op0==&filter0=&op1=OR&op2=OR&op3=OR&filter3%5B%5D=Galloping+Ghost&op4=OR|title=Air Race Results {{!}} Florida's Premier Airpark - Leeward Air Ranch|website=www2.leewardairranch.com|language=en|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref> The following year, Beville piloted the aircraft in the Kendall Trophy race. He broke the record for fastest closed-course speed on August 31, 1947, with 384.6 miles per hour (619 km/h), breaking the record of {{convert|601.7|km/h|0|abbr=on}} set by [[Tex Johnston]] in the Thompson Trophy race the previous year, winning $2,500.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1947-09-01 |title=Sets New Closed-Course Mark |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/09/01/archives/sets-new-closedcourse-mark.html |access-date=2023-02-24 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airrace.com/1947%20NAR%20.html|title=1947 National Air Races|website=www.airrace.com|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airrace.com/1946NAR.html|title=1946 National Air Races|website=www.airrace.com|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref> Beville also raced for the 1947 Thompson Trophy, taking fourth. For 1948, Raymond raced in the [[Sohio]] (taking fourth), Thompson (second) and Tinnerman (first) Trophies. He won the Tinnerman by less than a second,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airrace.com/1948%20NAR.htm|title=1948 National Air Races|website=www.airrace.com|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref> taking $3,150 and earning a total of $11,850 for all three races. In 1949, Beville raced in the Sohio and Thompson Trophies, taking fourth for both and earning a total of $3,700.<ref name="www2.leewardairranch.com"/> |
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In 1963 the aircraft was purchased by Dr. Cliff Cummins as a stripped hulk.<ref name=Wrbrdreg>[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p51registry/p51-4415651.html Mustang 44-15651] Retrieved September 18, 2011.</ref> He restored the aircraft and had it modified for racing, included the addition of a lower-profile canopy and reducing the |
In 1963, the aircraft was purchased by Dr. Cliff Cummins as a stripped hulk.<ref name=Wrbrdreg>[http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p51registry/p51-4415651.html Mustang 44-15651] Retrieved September 18, 2011.</ref> He restored the aircraft and had it modified for racing, included the addition of a lower-profile canopy and reducing the wingspan four feet (120 cm). He first raced it at the Reno Air Races in 1969 as ''Miss Candace'' (named after his daughter) race number 69. At the 1970 races, he suffered an engine failure and landed short of the runway, damaging the aircraft.<ref name=Jeannie>[http://www.aviationandspacearts.com/Denver-Kissinger/Jeannie-history.html History of Jeannie by Denver Kissinger] Retrieved September 18, 2011.</ref><ref name=Carter>* Carter, Dustin W., and Matthews, Birch J., ''Mustang: The Racing Thoroughbred.'' West Chester, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing Company, 1992. {{ISBN|978-0-88740-391-0}}.</ref> |
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The aircraft was rebuilt again, this time with a very small canopy taken from a Formula One air racer and a smaller belly cooling scoop. In this configuration, Cummins first raced the aircraft in 1972. In 1973 he qualified the airplane in the third position for the Unlimited Class Gold Race and he took second place behind [[Lyle Shelton]]'s winning [[Grumman F8F Bearcat|Bearcat]]. He did win the 1976 National Air Races at [[Mojave, California]], with a |
The aircraft was rebuilt again, this time with a very small canopy taken from a Formula One air racer and a smaller belly cooling scoop. In this configuration, Cummins first raced the aircraft in 1972. In 1973 he qualified the airplane in the third position for the Unlimited Class Gold Race and he took second place behind [[Lyle Shelton]]'s winning [[Grumman F8F Bearcat|Bearcat]]. He did win the 1976 National Air Races at [[Mojave, California]], with a speed of 422 miles per hour (679 km/h). After racing the aircraft for several years with limited success, he sold the aircraft in 1979 to Wiley Sanders of Sanders Truck Lines.<ref name=Jeannie /> |
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Sanders renamed the aircraft ''Jeannie'', after his wife. The aircraft was rebuilt with an eye to weight reduction. In the end, 600 pounds were removed from the airframe.<ref name=Carter /> Roy "Mac" McLain flew the aircraft in 1979 at the Reno Air Races. Shortly before the 1980 air races, the aircraft was damaged in a crash at the [[Van Nuys Airport]]. In a frantic effort, the aircraft was rebuilt and again flown by McLain, winning the Gold Race at Reno just days later. At the 1981 Reno Air Races, Skip Holm piloted the aircraft to victory in the Unlimited Class Gold Race. The following year, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and did not participate in the Gold Race.<ref name=Jeannie /> |
Sanders renamed the aircraft ''Jeannie'', after his wife. The aircraft was rebuilt with an eye to weight reduction. In the end, 600 pounds (270 kg) were removed from the airframe.<ref name=Carter /> Roy "Mac" McLain flew the aircraft in 1979 at the Reno Air Races. Shortly before the 1980 air races, the aircraft was damaged in a crash at the [[Van Nuys Airport]]. In a frantic effort, the aircraft was rebuilt and again flown by McLain, winning the Gold Race at Reno just days later. At the 1981 Reno Air Races, Skip Holm piloted the aircraft to victory in the Unlimited Class Gold Race. The following year, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and did not participate in the Gold Race.<ref name=Jeannie /> |
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The aircraft was sold to Jimmy Leeward in 1983, shortly after the aircraft's wing span had been reduced another six feet.<ref name="EAA Sport Aviation">{{cite journal|last=Davison|first=Budd|title=Reviving a Ghost|journal=Sport Aviation|date=May 2011|volume=60|issue=5|pages=34–39|url=http://www.sportaviationonline.org/sportaviation/201105#pg41| |
The aircraft was sold to Jimmy Leeward in 1983, shortly after the aircraft's wing span had been reduced another six feet (180 cm).<ref name="EAA Sport Aviation">{{cite journal|last=Davison|first=Budd|title=Reviving a Ghost|journal=Sport Aviation|date=May 2011|volume=60|issue=5|pages=34–39|url=http://www.sportaviationonline.org/sportaviation/201105#pg41|access-date=September 17, 2011|publisher=[[Experimental Aircraft Association]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923153813/http://www.sportaviationonline.org/sportaviation/201105/#pg41|archive-date=September 23, 2011}}</ref> Leeward initially raced the aircraft as ''Specter'', race number X.<ref>[http://www.mustangsmustangs.com/p-51/survivors/pages/picfiles/44-15651/44-15651_15_es1.jpg Picture of Specter] Retrieved September 25, 2011.</ref> He later raced the aircraft at Reno as race number 9 and later race number 44 "The Leeward Air Ranch Special."<ref name=Carter /> After an engine failure at the 1989 Reno Air Races forced Leeward to land the airplane on a dirt road,<ref name=Carter /> the aircraft did not appear at the races between 1990 and 2009. |
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In 2010, the ''Galloping Ghost'' returned to the Reno races.<ref name="Wrbrdreg" /> |
In 2010, the ''Galloping Ghost'' returned to the Reno races.<ref name="Wrbrdreg" /> |
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==2011 Reno Air Races crash== |
==2011 Reno Air Races crash== |
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{{main|2011 Reno Air Races crash}} |
{{main|2011 Reno Air Races crash}} |
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In 2011, Leeward flew the aircraft again in the [[Reno Air Races]]. On September 16, 2011, ''The Galloping Ghost'' crashed into spectators at the races, killing Leeward and 10 spectators and injuring 69 others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/179382/2/Plane-crashes-into-stands-during-Reno-Air-Races |title= |
[[File:Jimmy Leeward's Galloping Ghost at 2011 Reno Air Races.jpg|thumb|''The Galloping Ghost'' taxiing on the day of the [[2011 Reno Air Races crash]]]] |
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In 2011, Leeward flew the aircraft again in the [[Reno Air Races]]. On September 16, 2011, ''The Galloping Ghost'' crashed into spectators at the races, killing Leeward and 10 spectators and injuring 69 others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/179382/2/Plane-crashes-into-stands-during-Reno-Air-Races |title=Welcome to nginx |access-date=2015-01-07 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919095703/http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/179382/2/Plane-crashes-into-stands-during-Reno-Air-Races |archive-date=2012-09-19 }}</ref> |
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The aircraft had just rounded the last pylon when it pitched upward and then went inverted. While inverted the plane rocked its wings and suddenly pitched downward towards the ground and grandstands, crashing into the box seating area in front of the grandstands. |
The aircraft had just rounded the last pylon when it pitched upward and then went inverted. While inverted, the plane rocked its wings and suddenly pitched downward towards the ground and grandstands, crashing into the box seating area in front of the grandstands. |
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The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] (NTSB) examined whether the loss of a component of the tail played a role in the crash of ''The Galloping Ghost''.<ref name="latimesblogs">{{cite news| url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/09/reno-air-crash-ntsb.html | title=Reno air races crash: NTSB investigates elevator trim tab | work=Los Angeles Times | date=September 17, 2011 | |
The [[National Transportation Safety Board]] (NTSB) examined whether the loss of a component of the tail played a role in the crash of ''The Galloping Ghost''.<ref name="latimesblogs">{{cite news| url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/09/reno-air-crash-ntsb.html | title=Reno air races crash: NTSB investigates elevator trim tab | work=Los Angeles Times | date=September 17, 2011 | access-date=February 20, 2015}}</ref> News reports included a photograph taken right before the crash while the airplane was inverted show a missing left elevator [[trim tab]].<ref name="latimesblogs" /><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8770507/US-vintage-aircraft-crashes-into-crowd.html?image=3 | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | title=US vintage aircraft crashes into crowd | date=September 17, 2011}}</ref> A similar event had taken place in 1998: the left trim tab was lost by a modified P-51 Mustang named [[Voodoo (aircraft)|''Voodoo Chile'']], piloted by "Hurricane" Bob Hannah, during the Reno Air Races. The 1998 incident did not lead to a crash, but Hannah reported that when the elevator trim tab came off, the airplane pitched up and subjected him to over 10 ''[[G-force|g]]'' and a loss of consciousness. When he regained consciousness, the plane had climbed to over 9,000 feet (2,750 m). In that incident, Hannah had been able to bring the damaged plane in for a safe landing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.warbird.com/voodoo.html|title=Voodoo - 98 NCAR|website=www.warbird.com|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/news/reno2002/183113-1.html|title=Reno Unlimiteds Turn 35 - AVweb Features Article|website=www.avweb.com|date=27 September 1998|access-date=2017-11-15}}</ref> |
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In the NTSB investigation report, the cause was attributed to extreme pitch-up to |
In the NTSB investigation report, the cause was attributed to extreme pitch-up to 17 ''[[G-force|g]]''+ caused by the loss of the port elevator trim tab due to wear in the trim tab mounts, exacerbated by lock-nuts on the mounting bolts losing their self-locking ability due to use past their normal life.<ref name=NTSBGG>{{cite web|title=Deteriorated Parts Allowed Flutter Which Led to Fatal Crash at 2011 Reno Air Races|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAB1201.pdf|publisher=NTSB|access-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> |
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==Awards== |
==Awards== |
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* 1946, First Place, |
* 1946, First Place, Thompson Trophy |
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* 1948, First Place, Tinnerman Trophy |
* 1948, First Place, Tinnerman Trophy |
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* 1976, First Place, Mojave |
* 1976, First Place, Mojave |
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* 1981, First Place, Reno |
* 1981, First Place, Reno |
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==Specifications (The Galloping Ghost)== |
==Specifications (''The Galloping Ghost'')== |
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{{Aircraft specs |
{{Aircraft specs |
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|ref=<!-- reference --> |
|ref = <!-- reference --> |
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|prime units?=kts |
|prime units? = kts |
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<!-- |
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General characteristics |
General characteristics |
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|crew=1 |
|crew = 1 |
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|lower span m= |
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|lower span ft= |
|lower span ft = |
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|lower span in= |
|lower span in = |
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|lower span note= |
|lower span note = |
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|swept m=<!-- swing-wings --> |
|swept m = <!-- swing-wings --> |
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|swept ft=<!-- swing-wings --> |
|swept ft = <!-- swing-wings --> |
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|swept in=<!-- swing-wings --> |
|swept in = <!-- swing-wings --> |
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|swept note= |
|swept note = |
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|dia m=<!-- airships etc --> |
|dia m = <!-- airships etc --> |
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|dia ft=<!-- airships etc --> |
|dia ft = <!-- airships etc --> |
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|dia in=<!-- airships etc --> |
|dia in = <!-- airships etc --> |
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|dia note= |
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|width m=<!-- if applicable --> |
|width m = <!-- if applicable --> |
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|width ft=<!-- if applicable --> |
|width ft = <!-- if applicable --> |
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|width in=<!-- if applicable --> |
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|width note= |
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|height m= |
|height m = |
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|height ft= |
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|height in= |
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|height note= |
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|wing area sqm= |
|wing area sqm = |
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|wing area sqft= |
|wing area sqft = |
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|wing area note= |
|wing area note = |
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|swept area sqm=<!-- swing-wings --> |
|swept area sqm = <!-- swing-wings --> |
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|swept area sqft=<!-- swing-wings --> |
|swept area sqft = <!-- swing-wings --> |
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|swept area note= |
|swept area note = |
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|volume m3=<!-- lighter-than-air --> |
|volume m3 = <!-- lighter-than-air --> |
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|volume ft3=<!-- lighter-than-air --> |
|volume ft3 = <!-- lighter-than-air --> |
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|volume note= |
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|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |
|aspect ratio = <!-- sailplanes --> |
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|airfoil= |
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|empty weight kg= |
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|gross weight kg= |
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|max takeoff weight kg= |
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|max takeoff weight lb= |
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|max takeoff weight note= |
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|fuel capacity= |
|fuel capacity = |
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|lift kg=<!-- lighter-than-air --> |
|lift kg = <!-- lighter-than-air --> |
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|lift lb=<!-- lighter-than-air --> |
|lift lb = <!-- lighter-than-air --> |
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|lift note= |
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|more general= |
|more general = |
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<!-- |
<!-- |
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Powerplant |
Powerplant |
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--> |
--> |
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|eng1 number=1 |
|eng1 number = 1 |
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|eng1 name=[[Packard V-1650-9A Merlin |
|eng1 name = [[Packard V-1650-9A Merlin]] |
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|eng1 type=V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine |
|eng1 type = V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine |
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|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines --> |
|eng1 kw = <!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng1 hp=3000<!-- prop engines --> |
|eng1 hp = 3000<!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines --> |
|eng1 shp = <!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
|eng1 kn = <!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
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|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
|eng1 lbf = <!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
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|eng1 note= |
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|power original= |
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|thrust original= |
|thrust original = |
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|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> |
|eng1 kn-ab = <!-- afterburners --> |
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|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners --> |
|eng1 lbf-ab = <!-- afterburners --> |
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|eng2 number = |
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|eng2 name = |
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|eng2 |
|eng2 type = |
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|eng2 |
|eng2 hp = <!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng2 |
|eng2 shp = <!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng2 |
|eng2 kn = <!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
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|eng2 |
|eng2 lbf = <!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
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|eng2 note = |
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|eng2 |
|eng2 lbf-ab = <!-- afterburners --> |
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|eng3 hp = <!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng3 |
|eng3 shp = <!-- prop engines --> |
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|eng3 |
|eng3 kn = <!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
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|eng3 |
|eng3 lbf = <!-- jet/rocket engines --> |
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|eng3 note = |
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|eng3 |
|eng3 kn-ab = <!-- afterburners --> |
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|eng3 note= |
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|more power = |
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|eng3 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners --> |
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|more power= |
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<!-- |
<!-- |
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Performance |
Performance |
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--> |
--> |
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|max speed kmh= |
|max speed kmh = |
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|max speed mph= |
|max speed mph = 520 |
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|max speed kts= |
|max speed kts = |
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|max speed note= |
|max speed note = |
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|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft --> |
|max speed mach = <!-- supersonic aircraft --> |
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|cruise speed kmh= |
|cruise speed kmh = |
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|cruise speed mph= |
|cruise speed mph = |
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|cruise speed kts= |
|cruise speed kts = |
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|cruise speed note= |
|cruise speed note = |
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|stall speed kmh= |
|stall speed kmh = |
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|stall speed mph= |
|stall speed mph = |
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|stall speed kts= |
|stall speed kts = |
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|stall speed note= |
|stall speed note = |
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|never exceed speed kmh= |
|never exceed speed kmh = |
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|never exceed speed mph= |
|never exceed speed mph = |
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|never exceed speed kts= |
|never exceed speed kts = |
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|never exceed speed note= |
|never exceed speed note = |
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|minimum control speed kmh= |
|minimum control speed kmh = |
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|minimum control speed mph= |
|minimum control speed mph = |
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|minimum control speed kts= |
|minimum control speed kts = |
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|minimum control speed note= |
|minimum control speed note = |
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|range km= |
|range km = |
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|range miles= |
|range miles = |
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|range nmi= |
|range nmi = |
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|range note= |
|range note = |
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|combat range km= |
|combat range km = |
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|combat range miles= |
|combat range miles = |
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|combat range nmi= |
|combat range nmi = |
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|combat range note= |
|combat range note = |
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|ferry range km= |
|ferry range km = |
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|ferry range miles= |
|ferry range miles = |
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|ferry range nmi= |
|ferry range nmi = |
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|ferry range note= |
|ferry range note = |
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|endurance=<!-- if range unknown --> |
|endurance = <!-- if range unknown --> |
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|ceiling m= |
|ceiling m = |
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|ceiling ft= |
|ceiling ft = |
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|ceiling note= |
|ceiling note = |
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|g limits=<!-- aerobatic --> |
|g limits = <!-- aerobatic --> |
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|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic --> |
|roll rate = <!-- aerobatic --> |
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|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |
|glide ratio = <!-- sailplanes --> |
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|climb rate ms= |
|climb rate ms = |
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|climb rate ftmin= |
|climb rate ftmin = |
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|climb rate note= |
|climb rate note = |
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|time to altitude= |
|time to altitude = |
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|sink rate ms=<!-- sailplanes --> |
|sink rate ms = <!-- sailplanes --> |
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|sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes --> |
|sink rate ftmin = <!-- sailplanes --> |
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|sink rate note= |
|sink rate note = |
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|lift to drag= |
|lift to drag = |
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|wing loading kg/m2= |
|wing loading kg/m2 = |
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|wing loading lb/sqft= |
|wing loading lb/sqft = |
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|wing loading note= |
|wing loading note = |
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|disk loading kg/m2= |
|disk loading kg/m2 = |
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|disk loading lb/sqft= |
|disk loading lb/sqft = |
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|disk loading note= |
|disk loading note = |
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|fuel consumption kg/km= |
|fuel consumption kg/km = |
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|fuel consumption lb/mi= |
|fuel consumption lb/mi = |
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|power/mass= |
|power/mass = |
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|thrust/weight= |
|thrust/weight = |
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|more performance= |
|more performance = |
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<!-- |
<!-- |
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Armament |
Armament |
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--> |
--> |
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|armament=<!-- add bulletted list here or if you want to use the following |
|armament = <!-- add bulletted list here or if you want to use the following |
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specific parameters, remove this parameter--> |
specific parameters, remove this parameter--> |
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|guns= |
|guns = |
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|bombs= |
|bombs = |
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|rockets= |
|rockets = |
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|missiles= |
|missiles = |
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|hardpoints= |
|hardpoints = |
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|hardpoint capacity= |
|hardpoint capacity = |
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|hardpoint rockets= |
|hardpoint rockets = |
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|hardpoint missiles= |
|hardpoint missiles = |
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|hardpoint bombs= |
|hardpoint bombs = |
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|hardpoint other= |
|hardpoint other = |
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|avionics= |
|avionics = |
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}} |
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==See also== |
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{{aircontent |
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|related= |
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|similar aircraft= |
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*''[[Dago Red]]'' |
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*''[[Miss Ashley II]]'' |
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*''[[Precious Metal (aircraft)|Precious Metal]]'' |
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*''[[Rare Bear]]'' |
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*''[[Red Baron (aircraft)|Red Baron]]'' |
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*''[[September Fury]]'' |
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*''[[Tsunami (aircraft)|Tsunami]]'' |
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*''[[Voodoo (aircraft)|Voodoo]]'' |
|||
|see also= |
|||
}} |
}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Commons category|N79111 (aircraft)}} |
{{Commons category|N79111 (aircraft)}} |
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{{ |
{{reflist}} |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Galloping Ghost'' (aircraft)}} |
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Galloping Ghost'' (aircraft)}} |
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{{North American P-51 Mustang family}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Galloping Ghost, The}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Galloping Ghost, The}} |
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Revision as of 17:59, 6 May 2024
| The Galloping Ghost | |
|---|---|
| |
| The Galloping Ghost in 2010 | |
| Type | North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| Registration | N79111 |
| Serial | 44-15651 |
| Fate | Crashed September 2011 |
The Galloping Ghost was a P-51D Mustang air racer that held various airspeed records and whose fatal crash in 2011 led to several NTSB recommendations to make air shows safer.[1]
Built in 1944 by North American Aviation for the Army Air Force, the plane was sold as postwar surplus. Over the next half-century, it was modified and raced by a series of owners, including, finally, Aero Trans Corp. in Ocala, Florida.[2] It was destroyed on September 16, 2011, when it crashed into spectators at the Reno Air Races, at the Reno Stead Airport north of Reno, Nevada.
History
The Galloping Ghost was built by North American Aviation as a P-51D-15-NA, Army Air Force serial number 44-15651,[3] at the NAA's Inglewood, California, plant[4] for military use during World War II. Once the aircraft was delivered, it was transferred to Walnut Ridge Army Air Field in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. It was later classified as surplus stock and offered to the public for around $3,500 ($54,800 today). Around that time, Steve Beville and Bruce Raymond were looking to compete in the National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio, that were to be held in September. Beville was able to secure the aircraft from the WAA on July 22, 1946, even though P-51 sales at Walnut Ridge Army Air Field had formally ended. Thus, the aircraft was the last to be sold to the public.[5]
Beville and Raymond registered the plane as NX79111 and named it The Galloping Ghost after football star Red Grange. Raymond piloted the aircraft in its first race, the 1946 Thompson Trophy, the first since 1939, when World War II suspended the annual event. Raymond took fourth place on the closed-course track, winning $3,000.[6] The following year, Beville piloted the aircraft in the Kendall Trophy race. He broke the record for fastest closed-course speed on August 31, 1947, with 384.6 miles per hour (619 km/h), breaking the record of 601.7 km/h (374 mph) set by Tex Johnston in the Thompson Trophy race the previous year, winning $2,500.[7][8][9] Beville also raced for the 1947 Thompson Trophy, taking fourth. For 1948, Raymond raced in the Sohio (taking fourth), Thompson (second) and Tinnerman (first) Trophies. He won the Tinnerman by less than a second,[10] taking $3,150 and earning a total of $11,850 for all three races. In 1949, Beville raced in the Sohio and Thompson Trophies, taking fourth for both and earning a total of $3,700.[6]
In 1963, the aircraft was purchased by Dr. Cliff Cummins as a stripped hulk.[11] He restored the aircraft and had it modified for racing, included the addition of a lower-profile canopy and reducing the wingspan four feet (120 cm). He first raced it at the Reno Air Races in 1969 as Miss Candace (named after his daughter) race number 69. At the 1970 races, he suffered an engine failure and landed short of the runway, damaging the aircraft.[12][13]
The aircraft was rebuilt again, this time with a very small canopy taken from a Formula One air racer and a smaller belly cooling scoop. In this configuration, Cummins first raced the aircraft in 1972. In 1973 he qualified the airplane in the third position for the Unlimited Class Gold Race and he took second place behind Lyle Shelton's winning Bearcat. He did win the 1976 National Air Races at Mojave, California, with a speed of 422 miles per hour (679 km/h). After racing the aircraft for several years with limited success, he sold the aircraft in 1979 to Wiley Sanders of Sanders Truck Lines.[12]
Sanders renamed the aircraft Jeannie, after his wife. The aircraft was rebuilt with an eye to weight reduction. In the end, 600 pounds (270 kg) were removed from the airframe.[13] Roy "Mac" McLain flew the aircraft in 1979 at the Reno Air Races. Shortly before the 1980 air races, the aircraft was damaged in a crash at the Van Nuys Airport. In a frantic effort, the aircraft was rebuilt and again flown by McLain, winning the Gold Race at Reno just days later. At the 1981 Reno Air Races, Skip Holm piloted the aircraft to victory in the Unlimited Class Gold Race. The following year, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and did not participate in the Gold Race.[12]
The aircraft was sold to Jimmy Leeward in 1983, shortly after the aircraft's wing span had been reduced another six feet (180 cm).[14] Leeward initially raced the aircraft as Specter, race number X.[15] He later raced the aircraft at Reno as race number 9 and later race number 44 "The Leeward Air Ranch Special."[13] After an engine failure at the 1989 Reno Air Races forced Leeward to land the airplane on a dirt road,[13] the aircraft did not appear at the races between 1990 and 2009.
In 2010, the Galloping Ghost returned to the Reno races.[11]
2011 Reno Air Races crash
In 2011, Leeward flew the aircraft again in the Reno Air Races. On September 16, 2011, The Galloping Ghost crashed into spectators at the races, killing Leeward and 10 spectators and injuring 69 others.[16]
The aircraft had just rounded the last pylon when it pitched upward and then went inverted. While inverted, the plane rocked its wings and suddenly pitched downward towards the ground and grandstands, crashing into the box seating area in front of the grandstands.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) examined whether the loss of a component of the tail played a role in the crash of The Galloping Ghost.[17] News reports included a photograph taken right before the crash while the airplane was inverted show a missing left elevator trim tab.[17][18] A similar event had taken place in 1998: the left trim tab was lost by a modified P-51 Mustang named Voodoo Chile, piloted by "Hurricane" Bob Hannah, during the Reno Air Races. The 1998 incident did not lead to a crash, but Hannah reported that when the elevator trim tab came off, the airplane pitched up and subjected him to over 10 g and a loss of consciousness. When he regained consciousness, the plane had climbed to over 9,000 feet (2,750 m). In that incident, Hannah had been able to bring the damaged plane in for a safe landing.[19][20]
In the NTSB investigation report, the cause was attributed to extreme pitch-up to 17 g+ caused by the loss of the port elevator trim tab due to wear in the trim tab mounts, exacerbated by lock-nuts on the mounting bolts losing their self-locking ability due to use past their normal life.[21]
Awards
- 1946, First Place, Thompson Trophy
- 1948, First Place, Tinnerman Trophy
- 1976, First Place, Mojave
- 1981, First Place, Reno
Specifications (The Galloping Ghost)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Powerplant: 1 × Packard V-1650-9A Merlin V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 3,000 hp (2,200 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 450 kn (520 mph, 840 km/h)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to N79111 (aircraft).
- ^ "Aviation accident at the Reno Air Race". www.ntsb.gov. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
- ^ "P-51D Mustang/44-15651" Archived January 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine FAA Registry Retrieved May 26, 2011.
- ^ "1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-001 to 44-30910)". www.joebaugher.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "P-51 Mustang Production". mustangsmustangs.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ Nick Veronico Nicholas A. Veronico A. Kevin Grantham Scott Thompson. Military Aircraft Boneyards. Zenith Imprint. pp. 63–65. ISBN 978-1-61060-732-2.
- ^ a b "Air Race Results | Florida's Premier Airpark - Leeward Air Ranch". www2.leewardairranch.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Sets New Closed-Course Mark". The New York Times. September 1, 1947. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ^ "1947 National Air Races". www.airrace.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "1946 National Air Races". www.airrace.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "1948 National Air Races". www.airrace.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ a b Mustang 44-15651 Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ a b c History of Jeannie by Denver Kissinger Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ a b c d * Carter, Dustin W., and Matthews, Birch J., Mustang: The Racing Thoroughbred. West Chester, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing Company, 1992. ISBN 978-0-88740-391-0.
- ^ Davison, Budd (May 2011). "Reviving a Ghost". Sport Aviation. 60 (5). Experimental Aircraft Association: 34–39. Archived from the original on September 23, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^ Picture of Specter Retrieved September 25, 2011.
- ^ "Welcome to nginx". Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
- ^ a b "Reno air races crash: NTSB investigates elevator trim tab". Los Angeles Times. September 17, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- ^ "US vintage aircraft crashes into crowd". The Daily Telegraph. London. September 17, 2011.
- ^ "Voodoo - 98 NCAR". www.warbird.com. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Reno Unlimiteds Turn 35 - AVweb Features Article". www.avweb.com. September 27, 1998. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
- ^ "Deteriorated Parts Allowed Flutter Which Led to Fatal Crash at 2011 Reno Air Races" (PDF). NTSB. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
