P-38L, 44-53186, ca. 1975

[Craig59]

Harrah's used to sponsor a large antique and classic car swap meet every June in Reno. While attending that event, we'd always make a point of visiting the Bill Harrah Automobile Collection in Sparks. Not only was it the most spectacular personal collection of cars that was, or probably ever will be, amassed but, it also included a few surprises such as P-38, 44-53186. I'm guessing these were taken around 1975. Enjoy!





The registry on this P-38 is here:
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/p38registry/p38-4453186.html

[L. Thompson]

There have been posts at aafo.com in the air racing threads over the years of folks saying Harrahs also had a Twin Mustang at one time. I've always dismissed it as vey unlikely but the folks who remember supposedly seeing one did seem pretty sincere and knowledgeable.

Can anyone positively confirm or deny?

[n5151ts]

from Lefty Gardner no less so I know its true...when harrahs decided to break up the collection they contacted the CAF and asked if the CAF "wanted" the P-38 and the person who answered the phone at Harlingen said "no, we already have a P-38"...I always wondered what happend to that guy.

Last edited by n5151ts on Mon May 12, 2008 6:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Jack Cook]

Jim Edwards who ran Harrah's collection and museum for years is a very good friend of mine (in addition to flying over 250 Typhoon/P-51 missions in WWII and being an ace!). Jim said they never had a F-82...ever!! Jim is a unknown in warbird & vintage aircraft circles but dozens of aircraft survive (like the P-38 & P-40M) because of him.

[Craig59]

I have a couple pictures of the P-40 next to the '38 that I'll post some other time. The only other aircraft I can recall that Harrah had was a Ford Tri-motor which was flown over the swap meet one year and one, perhaps two other aircraft (non-warbird) displayed indoors with some of the automobiles.

[Jack Cook]

That was the old "Smooth Skin Ford" that Jim had restored has the "City of Reno" and now with Evergreen.