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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: Cassutt Cassutt Special
    Latest Model:Special IIIM
    Construction Number:1 {11}
    Last Civil Registration:N9MF
    Compressed ID:Cassutt Special IIIM cn 1 cr N9MF
    Latest Owner or Location:Marshall Wells

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    Dates

    Event

    1970

    Constructed as a Special IIIM.

    28 August 1979

    Certificate of airworthiness for NX9MF (CASSUTT III M, 1) issued.

    By 1 September 1979

    To unknown owner with c/r N9MF.

    From 1 September 1979 to 3 September 1979

    Raced as #5, named Illusion.
    Competed at the Cleveland Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Dusty Dowd. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 216.433 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 210.321 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 209.857 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 201.945 mph.

    9 October 1979

    To John J. Dowd Jr, Syracuse, KS keeping c/r N9MF.

    From 10 September 1980 to 14 September 1980

    Raced as #5, named Illusion.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Dusty Dowd. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 225.19 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 209.60 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 210.42 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 218.32 mph.

    To Marshall Wells keeping c/r N9MF.

    From 15 September 1981 to 20 September 1981

    Raced as #5, named Illusion.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Dusty Dowd. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 216.56 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 210.04 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 196.71 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 191.39 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 211.56 mph.

    Circa 15 September 1981


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

    Bradley Haskin comments: Wow, that is great. I do not remember this paint scheme on the plane. Larry Lowe used to own and race it.my guess this is right after he sold it.

    From 15 October 1981 to 18 October 1981

    Raced as #5, named Illusion.
    Competed at the Texas Championship Air Races at San Marcos in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Dusty Dowd from Syracuse, KS. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 228.454 mph. Raced in Gold Heat. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 223.782 mph. Raced in the Gold Semi-Final race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 222.262 mph.

    From 14 September 1982 to 19 September 1982

    Raced as #5, named Illusion.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Dusty Dowd. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 223.03 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 222.77 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 222.87 mph.

    From 12 September 1983 to 18 September 1983

    Raced as #5, named Illusion.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Dusty Dowd. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 234.67 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 224.18 mph.

    Circa 12 September 1983


    Photographer: Charlene Aro

    From 10 September 1984 to 16 September 1984

    Raced as #5, named Illusion.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Dusty Dowd. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 227.053 mph. Raced in Heat 2 Gold. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 228.957 mph. Raced in Heat 4B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 226.915 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 229.902 mph.

    From 9 September 1985 to 15 September 1985

    Raced as #5, named Illusion.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was John J Dowd. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 226.090 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 222.601 mph. Started Heat 2B, but did not finish. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 190.781 mph.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    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
     Shawn Aro
    Bradley Haskin
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