Reno 1976

[Lon Moer]

In referance to John Crockers P51 if you can find the N#" Mustangs Mustangs" probably has its history prior to John owning it. I also understand it is under rebuild?

- In 1964 Ed Fisher owned two Mustangs; N6321T which became "Miss Foxy Lady"(N70QF)/"Sumpthin' Else"(N51VC), and N5483V which became the original "Precious Metal".

- After John Crocker, N51VC was restored as a TF-51 and eventually became "Crazy Horse 2"(N351DT) owned by Stallion 51.

[wingman]

I have always loved this photo of Crocker's Racer in the clouds. I would like to think it's from a practice run, but it may have been during the Gold. I was not up on the nuances of things at the time, but John was running without much of any forward visiblity due to leaking propeller seals (that P-51H prop again!). He could only see a pylon as he was passing over it, and by all accounts was very high and wide. It's a real shame as he was the class of the field in 1976. He broke Darryl's 1975 qualifying record and ran great all week, finished far ahead of the second place airplane, and had it all just disappear due to deadline cuts...




Neal

[Jukka]

I was a big fan immediately. It did not have the white airplane's pure elegance, but the brute force of the Baron was something to behold, for a newbie like me in 1976.


Attachment 27075


Neal

The Red Baron with a ventral fin ?

How did I ever miss that ?

Well I was 14 years old back then.

[wingman]

Hello Jukka -- there were reasons why all subsequent Griffon Mustangs settled on P-51H tails. As originally built the RB-51 had severe problems with directional stablility. It was described as a tendency toward "Dutch Roll". This was complicated by CG issues. They tried several iterations of tails with wider chord, more height, and at least two configurations of ventral fin, before Darryl G (a test pilot with great experience) helped with finding a final tail solution that worked.

[CJAM427]

Thank you Connor -- I'm glad you saw this thread. I just last night noticed your Reno thread from last fall which I had completely missed in my general neglect of AAFO. Very nice work there and I'd like to address it separately.

I'm glad you still are thinking about Crocker's Racer -- it is a really interesting and somewhat underappreciated airplane.

Neal


Attachment 27078

When I get around to finishing my Jeannie project, I'd really like to build Sumthin' Else next. It's just too good looking to not have a model of.

[100 Octane]

I'm a casual Reno fan and lurker here, not sure how I missed this thread, but I love all the old pictures. Thanks to everyone who posted.

"The pits were different back then. No canopies, work platforms, race trailers and campers -- just a bunch of guys on stepladders working on fighter planes."

Seems like everything has went in that direction the past few years.

Thanks again everyone.

[wingman]

You are welcome!

Reno would not be Reno, in those days, without the irrepressible Howie Keefe and the eternal Miss America.This aircraft was already a long time Reno veteran. Howie was a showman...



Clay Klabo was there with Iron Mistress. He was mid pack in 1976 but surprised everyone (including himself) by being top qualifier in 1977.




Neal

[wingman]

Team Lefty...

Lefty qualified three Unlimiteds, and raced two. Not a bad year for another red white and blue Mustang, in the Bicentennial year 1976.

[wingman]

I became very fond of Lefty over the years. I actually met him in 1976 -- the same morning I did the "Team Lefty" photograph. He was just a guy starting the morning pulling cowl panels off the Mustang -- I only realised a year later who I'd been talking to. Lefty loved Racing -- I photographed his racing career from San Francisco to Miami. He always had a smile, when he was at an air race.

[Lon Moer]

Team Lefty...

Lefty qualified three Unlimiteds, and raced two. Not a bad year for another red white and blue Mustang, in the Bicentennial year 1976.

Lefty Gardner and Thunderbird were the Unlimited Champion in 1976.