Warbird Information Exchange

Who was the pilot and info on the aircraft ?

I guess I'm not allowed to play this game, huh? After all, I do have a cheat-sheet.

Gary

The aircraft is the Rod Nimmo/ Mike Argander "Deerfly", which was a rebuild of the earlier Argander Goodyear racer "Pffftt". I believe the gentleman is Keith Sorensen (sp?), who raced this aircraft along with several others in the 40's and 50's.

Race #39 holds the distinction of being the winner of the 190 c.i. class at Reno 1965, flown by Bob Porter and owned by Denny Sherman. It is also the aircraft that Bill Stead was killed in while practicing for the St. Petersburg, Fl. race in 1966.

We have a winner! More than I knew. "Sorenson" How about this one?

Dunno about the number 63 above, but neat to see Anson Johnson's P-51 and Cleland's F2G in the background.

_________________
Scotty G
www.LightAndLift.com
www.WarbirdAeroPress.com

Great picture! Here is what i have in my data base for #63

Kenn Smith SARH 1946-1949 Historian


Year: 1949

Class: Goodyear
Race Number: 63
Registration Number: N5541N

Type: Anderson Special
Designer/Builder:
Manufacturer Number:
Serial Number:
Length:
Wing Span:
Wing Area:
Empty Weight:
Fuel Capacity:
Engine: Continental 188 cubic inches
Propeller:

Colors and Markings: Red and Cream

Notes:


Entrant: Alvin E. Anderson
Pilot: Lt. Obie A. Smith, Keesler AFB, Mississippi

Race: Goodyear Trophy Race

Qualifying Date: September 1, 1949
Qualifying Distance: -1- Lap, 1.75 miles
Qualifying Total Time: 41.049 seconds
Qualifying Average Speed: 153.400 mph

1st Elimination Heat Race
Race Date: Saturday, September 3, 1949
Race Distance: -8- laps, -14- miles
Race Starting Position: 6th
Elapsed Time: 5:40.03
Race Average Speed: 148.222 mph
Race Place: 4th Place
Race Prize: $100.00

Semi-Final No.1
Race Date: Sunday, September 4, 1949
Race Distance: -10- laps, -17.5- miles
Race Starting Position:
Elapsed Time: 6:54.04
Race Average Speed: 152.159 mph
Race Place: 2nd Place
Race Prize: $250.00

Consolation Race
Race Date: Monday, September 5, 1949
Race Distance: -8- laps, -14- miles
Race Starting Position:
Elapsed Time: 5:45.61
Race Average Speed: 145.839 mph
Race Place: 4th Place
Race Prize: $105.00

_________________
May all your bent wings be F2G Corsairs!

Here is my data-sheet for #39 for 1949

Year: 1949

Class: Goodyear
Race Number: 39
Registration Number: N24C

Type: Deerfly
Designer/Builder:
Manufacturer Number:
Serial Number:
Length:
Wing Span:
Wing Area:
Empty Weight:
Fuel Capacity:
Engine: Continental 188 cubic inches
Propeller:

Colors and Markings: Black with White trim

Notes:

Entrant: Keith Sorenson, Los Angeles, California
Pilot: Keith Sorenson, Los Angeles, California

Race: Goodyear Trophy Race

Qualifying Date: August 31, 1949
Qualifying Distance: -1- Lap, 1.75 miles
Qualifying Total Time: 35.417 seconds
Qualifying Average Speed: 177.881 mph

Heat Race: 2nd Elimination Heat Race
Race Date: Saturday, September 3, 1949
Race Distance: -8- laps, -14- miles
Race Starting Position: No.2
Elapsed Time: 4:43.08
Race Average Speed: 178.042 mph
Race Place: 1st
Race Prize: $320.00

Final Race
Race Date: Monday, September 5, 1949
Race Distance: -12- laps, -20- miles
Race Starting Position:
Elapsed Time: 7:07.78
Race Average Speed: 176.728 mph
Race Place: 2nd
Race Prize: $4,000.00

_________________
May all your bent wings be F2G Corsairs!

Race #63 is the Alvin Anderson Spl. "Ace of Diamonds", flown by Lt. O. A. "Obie" Smith. It is an extensive rebuild of Anderson's earlier Goodyear racer #63 "Beetlebomb". Smith was killed in this aircraft when the wing failed during a race in the very early 1950's (Detroit?).

Obie

AirRick, thank you for posing these great shots. I have always been a fan of the Goodyear / IF1 racers, but there isn't much public info out there as far as the vintage stuff goes.

AiRick, I tried to start posting some of the "big iron" stuff on the main page of WIX, from the CD you gave me of the awesome pictures you have, but I couldn't seem to get Photobucket to upload anything yesterday, so if you get around to it, I'm positive you'll get a good response from the Warbird junkies if you post them there. Also, the signed pictures that you have would be pretty dang cool to post as well.

Gary