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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Payne Knight Twister
    Latest Model:Knight Twister
    Construction Number:PD-1
    Last Civil Registration:N5DF
    Compressed ID:Payne Knight Twister cn PD-1 cr N5D...
    Latest Owner or Location:Charles D. Fairbanks, Cincinnati, OH

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a Knight Twister.

    21 August 1968

    To Charles D. Fairbanks, Cincinnati, OH with new c/r N5DF.

    From 2 June 1971 to 6 June 1971

    Raced as #5D.
    Competed at the Cape May National Air Races in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 153.85 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 156.39 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 153.32 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 158.42 mph.

    From 2 June 1971 to 6 June 1971

    Raced as #50.
    Competed at the Cape May National Air Races in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 153.85 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 156.39 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 153.32 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 158.42 mph.

    From 21 September 1971 to 26 September 1971

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 159.53 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 158.39 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 160.48 mph.

    From 12 September 1972 to 17 September 1972

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 160.24 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 157.09 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 159.72 mph.

    12 September 1972


    Photographer: Betty Mott
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

    From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Donald Fairbanks. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 156.30 mph. Raced in the Gold Final race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 151.69 mph.

    From 11 September 1973 to 16 September 1973

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 173.35 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 165.01 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 135.08 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 168.88 mph.

    From 10 September 1974 to 15 September 1974

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Donald Fairbanks. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 172.52 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 161.36 mph. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 166.71 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 170.18 mph.

    From 9 October 1974 to 13 October 1974

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Air Races Mojave in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Donald Fairbanks. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 175.476 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 180.535 mph.

    From 18 June 1975 to 22 June 1975

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the California National Air Races in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Donald Fairbanks. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 178.59 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 174.82 mph.

    From 9 September 1975 to 14 September 1975

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Donald Fairbanks. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 186.85 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 175.66 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 171.02 mph.

    Circa 19 June 1976


    Photographer: Charlene Aro
    Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races in Mojave, CA.

    From 19 June 1976 to 20 June 1976

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the California National Air Races in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks from Cincinnati, OH. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 183.765 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 165.147 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 168.610 mph.

    From 7 September 1976 to 12 September 1976

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks from Cincinnati, OH. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 174.19 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 172.16 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 177.38 mph.

    From 18 June 1977 to 19 June 1977

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the Sturgis Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 178.218 mph. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 140.406 mph.

    From 8 January 1978 to 8 January 1978

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the Mexicali Air Races in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks from Cincinnati, OH. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 175.79 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 173.00 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 174.56 mph.

    By 1 December 1978

    To unknown owner with c/r N5DF.

    From 1 December 1978 to 3 December 1978

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the Mexicali Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks from Cincinnati, OH. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 173.13 mph. Raced in Gold Heat. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 159.98 mph. Raced in the Gold Semi-Final race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 170.61 mph.

    From 14 July 1979 to 15 July 1979

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed in the Cincinnati Air Races event. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks from Cincinnati, OH. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 159.009 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 158.775 mph.

    From 1 September 1979 to 3 September 1979

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the Cleveland Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 180.301 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 168.312 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 176.723 mph.

    12 May 1980

    Certificate of airworthiness for NX5DF (RACER 1, PD-1) issued.

    From 18 July 1980 to 20 July 1980

    Raced as #5, named White Knight.
    Competed at the Texas Championship Air Races at San Marcos in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Dop Fairbanks from Cincinnati, OH. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 184.679 mph. Raced in Heat 1 Silver. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 143.496 mph. Raced in Heat 2 Bronze. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 146.071 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 138.743 mph. Raced in the Silver race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 138.743 mph. Raced in the Gold Semi-Final race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 168.535 mph.

    From 10 September 1980 to 14 September 1980

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 195.88 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 191.49 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 176.38 mph.

    Circa 10 September 1980


    Photographer: Charlene Aro
    Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, Nevada.

    From 31 May 1981 to 31 May 1981

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the Cincinnati Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 171.552 mph.

    From 15 September 1981 to 20 September 1981

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 182.73 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 161.58 mph.

    From 14 September 1982 to 19 September 1982

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks from Cincinati, OH. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 185.98 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 176.52 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 172.73 mph.

    From 12 September 1983 to 18 September 1983

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 185.58 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 170.49 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 179.59 mph.

    14 September 1983


    Photographer: Jim Weiherer

    16 September 1983


    Photographer: Jim Weiherer

    From 10 September 1984 to 16 September 1984

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 192.37 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 174.73 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 185.35 mph.

    From 9 September 1985 to 15 September 1985

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 191.877 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 172.549 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 177.665 mph.

    From 8 September 1986 to 14 September 1986

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 190.570 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 165.474 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 166.173 mph.

    From 14 September 1987 to 20 September 1987

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 190.928 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 175.783 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 179.279 mph.

    From 12 September 1988 to 18 September 1988

    Raced as #5, named Knight Twister.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Don Fairbanks. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 179.913 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 168.381 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 176.470 mph.

    By 2012

    Now preserved in the lobby area of Sportys Pilot Shop,2001 Sportys Dr, Batavia, OH 45103, Clemont County Airport, Ohio.

    18 December 2012

    Civil registration, N5DF, cancelled.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Print Sources
     Racing Planes and Air Races A Complete History, Series 1, Volume 10, 1974 Annual by Reed Kinert
    Racing Planes and Air Races A Complete History, Series 1, Volume 11, 1975 Annual by Reed Kinert
    Racing Planes and Air Races A Complete History, Series 1, Volume 12, 1976 Annual by Reed Kinert
    Racing Planes and Air Races A Complete History, Series 1, Volume 13, 1977-1978 Biennial by Dusty Carter
    National Air Racing Group - The Informer
    Internet Sources
     Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America
    National Air Racing Group
    Reno Air Racing Association (National Championship Air Races)
    Individual Contributors
     Terry Fletcher
    Mike Henniger
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