Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-63C-5-BE.

1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-4227.
Editor Note: The FAA quoted the identification of the airframe as *812 (44-4227)*. This is the only known identification information known for this airframe and is unconfirmed.

From 1946 to 1947

To Fontana School of Aeronautics, Iron Mountain, MI with new c/r N63941.

From 30 August 1947 to 1 September 1947

Raced as #72, named The Lucky Jack.
Appeared at the National Air Races Cleveland to compete in the Thompson R class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Raymond Eiche. During the qualifying trial the pilot bailed out and the racer was destroyed.

Circa 30 August 1947

Photographer: Leo J. Kohn
Notes: 1947 would be a mechanical carnage for the Unlimited Class at Cleveland on Labor Day Weekend. The problems started before the races started with planes being lost during practice for qualifying. One of the casualties was this P-63 that was flown by Raymond Eiche. The Lucky Jack was anything but lucky as EIche was forced to abandon the airplane during practice. Eiche survived but the plane was destroyed. A piece of the wreckage now survives at the Liberty Air Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Circa 30 August 1947

Photographer: Harold G. Martin
Notes: Another beautiful image by Harold G. Martin. This time of the P-63 that was to be flown by Raymond Eiche at Cleveland in 1947. Eiche would be forced to bale out during a pre-qualifying test flight.

31 August 1947

Crashed and was destroyed durin a race at Cleveland, OH.

31 August 1947

Photographer: AIRCRAFT PHOTOS
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio.