Precious Metal

Precious Metal
Precious Metal flying in the Gold Heat at the 2014 Reno unlimited air races
Type North American P-51XR Mustang
Registration N6WJ





Precious Metal is a custom built, highly modified North American P-51 Mustang registered as N6WJ with the American Federal Aviation Administration, given the designation P-51XR.[1]

History

Thom Richards in Precious Metal, Reno 2014

In 1988 Precious Metal first participated in the Reno Air Races, fitted with a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine as well as contra-rotating propellers. The new aircraft,assembled over just a few months, included the fuselage of a North American P-51D acquired from Tallmantz Aviation after having been used as a movie prop in Hollywood. It was fitted with a set of standard wings and a Griffon engine. A P-51H tail section from the original Precious Metal was fitted, so it flew as N5483V.[2]

Precious Metal N6WJ, was first registered with the FAA, April of 1989 and the application was to register the craft as a P-51XR, fitted with a Griffon 57A, built by World Jet Inc. by Don Whittington as N6WJ. The FAA assigned the aircraft serial number of 44-88 describing it as being “built from parts”, the engine had a serial number of 44-138.[2]

In 1995, the P-51XR Racing as number 38 and registered N6WJ[1] raced at Phoenix in March and Reno in September piloted by Whittington. At Phoenix it had a standard tail, by the time it got to Reno it had been fitted with the taller P-51H tail again.[2]

Ron Buccarelli, President of Lake Air Inc. also of Ft Lauderdale, noticed the aircraft covered in dust and persuaded Whittington to sell it to him, with Buccarelli buying it in 2000. Buccarelli raced the Reno event each year from 2002 to 2007,[3] excepting 2005, winning the Unlimited Bronze race in 2003 with the highest speed recorded during a Bronze race.[2]

Current owner

P 51XR Mustang N6WJ Precious Metal publicity photo with lingerie model Jessica Alicia Bertrand.

Buccarelli sold the aircraft to Thom Richard whom Buccarelli described as having the requisite piloting and engineering skills.[2]

One of the first modifications Richard made to the aircraft was to fit a feathering pump. On propeller-driven aircraft, feathering the propellers after engine failure is crucial in reducing drag: P-51XR's six contra-rotating propeller blades makes it even more important, the decision demonstrated to Buccarelli he had made the right choice for P-51XR's new owner.[4]

Thom Richard also modified the aircraft with a streamlined cockpit canopy, improved air scoops, new wingtips and wing-to-fuselage fairing, crafted out of carbon fiber to reduce weight.[5] The aircraft was also fitted with a reconditioned race engine. During ground testing prior to the 2013 Reno Air Races the racing engine failed, and the stock engine had to be reinstalled in the aircraft quickly to get the aircraft to Reno for the annual event.[2]

2013 Reno Air Races

In the 2013 race, Precious Metal qualified with a speed of 440.385 mph (709 km/h) for the Gold heat and finished fifth with a top speed of 434.682 mph (700 km/h).[6]

2014 Reno Air Race controversy

25 P 51XR Mustang N6WJ Precious Metal Reno Air Race 2014 pits

In 2014, the P-51XR Mustang "Precious Metal" flew as number 38 in the Unlimited Silver Heat 3 to advance into the Gold race with a top speed of 437.952 mph (705 km/h). During the final Gold heat, Thom Richard raced what on video appeared to be a clean race.[7] The main broadcast of the race was on Live Airshow TV,[8]announced that "Precious Metal" had taken 3rd place and that no penalties would affect the race. Later it was announced that a Contest Committee Judge judge had disqualified Precious Metal for a show-line cut by the Contest Committee[9][10] the Contest Committee Judge responsible for judging the East Showline ruled that "Precious Metal" had crossed the FAA established showline, on lap 2.

On 29 September 2014 the Contest Committee released a statement assuring race fans that the controversy was addressed and additional changes will be placed into effect to address the situation in the future.[11]

See also

References

External links