Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-51D.

Circa 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-63481.

7 June 1947

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Canadian Air Force with s/n 9553.

From Circa November 1956 to Circa 1960

To Intercontinental Airways/James H. Defuria and Fred J. Ritts, Canastota, NY with new c/r N6303T.

Circa 27 December 1957

Struck off Strength/Charge from the Royal Canadian Air Force.

From Circa 10 May 1960 to Circa 1961

To Aero Enterprises, Elkhart, IN keeping c/r N6303T.

Circa 18 March 1961

To Century Mutual Insurance, Des Moines, IA keeping c/r N6303T.

From Circa 12 July 1961 to Circa 1962

To Aero Enterprises, Elkhart, IN keeping c/r N6303T.

Circa 7 February 1962

To Pinellas Aircraft Inc/Bernard Little, Saint. Petersburg, FL keeping c/r N6303T.

Circa 25 April 1962

To The Brane Corp, Largo, FL keeping c/r N6303T.

From Circa 23 August 1963 to Circa 1964

To Agels Inc/Bernard Little, Tampa, FL keeping c/r N6303T.

From Circa 15 February 1964 to Circa 1972

To Pizza On Call Franchise Inc/Richard K. Kestle, Columbus, GA keeping c/r N6303T.

25 January 1965

To Pizza On Call Franchise Co Inc, Columbus, GA keeping c/r N6303T.

Circa 1965

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

Circa 1965

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

Circa 1965

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

From 6 September 1965 to 12 September 1965

Raced as #13.
The airframe was not modified other than airframe cleanup including refairing the wing gun ports, in installation of an extended vertical tail and blunt tip Hamilton Standar propeller. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 311.35 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 299.66 mph. Raced in Heat 3 Silver. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 331.68 mph.

From 6 September 1965 to 6 September 1965

Raced as #13, named Miss diet rite cola.
The race was from Saint Petersburg, FL, to Reno. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Harolds Club Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 289.7 mph.

Circa 6 September 1965

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: Dick Kestle made his racing debut in 1965 in this Mustang. Photo taken at Reno Municipal.

Circa 6 September 1965

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley

From 23 September 1965 to 26 September 1965

Raced as #13.
Competed at the Las Vegas International Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 329.70 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 310.52 mph. Started Heat 2C, but did not finish.

From 11 November 1965 to 14 November 1965

Raced as #13.
The race was from Saint Petersburg, FL to Palm Springs, CA, 2,037.9 miles. Competed at the Palm Springs International Aeroclassic in the Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 343.467 mph.

From Circa 1966 to Circa 1967

Modified by TFA with a Cavalier tall tail fin.

From 27 May 1966 to 30 May 1966

Raced as #13.
Was to have competed at the National Air Races Los Angeles in the Unlimited class, but did not arrive. The primary pilot was to be Richard K Kestle.

12 May 1967

Involved in an incident.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number MIA68F0073: There were no fatalities. Incident occurred at 15:40 hours. There was minor damage. Incident occurred at the Atlanta Muni Airport, Atlanta, GA. Collided with another aircraft on the ground while taxiing from landing. Report remarks include: Pilot of N6303T taxyied into rear of N3149L. Pilot was not wearing prescribed glasses, did not s turn.
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

Circa 12 May 1967

Involved in an incident.
Was involved in a ground collision while taxying after lading at a Atlanta, GA.

From 21 September 1967 to 21 September 1967

Raced as #13, named Miss diet rite cola.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Harolds Club Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 305.50 mph.

Circa 24 September 1967

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley

Circa 1968

Photographer: Unknown

From 15 September 1968 to 22 September 1968

Raced as #13, named MISS Diet Rite Cola.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 278.18 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 311.24 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 288.43 mph.

From 15 September 1968 to 15 September 1968

Raced as #13, named MISS Diet Rite Cola.
The race was from Milwaukee, WI, to Reno. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Harolds Club Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 278.46 mph.

20 September 1968

Photographer: Ron Olsen

From 13 February 1969 to 16 February 1969

Raced as #13.
The race was from Frederick, MD, to Fort Lauderdale, FL. Competed at the Florida National Air Races in the Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 294.01 mph.

From 14 September 1969 to 14 September 1969

Raced as #13, named ROYAL CROWN COLA.
The reace was from Milwaukee, WI to Reno. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Harolds Club Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 313.12 mph.

From 13 September 1970 to 13 September 1970

Raced as #13, named Miss Royal Crown Cola.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Harolds Club Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Richard K Kestle. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 283.66 mph.

Circa 13 September 1970

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

Circa 13 September 1970

Photographer: Collect-Air Photos

3 June 1972

Crashed.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number MIA72FKH10: There was one fatality. Incident occurred at 10:00 hours. The airframe was destroyed. The flight departed from Washington, DC, with the destination Columbus, GA. The airframe failed in flight while in flight. Experienced an uncontrolled collision with terrain in an uncontrolled descent. The factors included; separation in flight. This aircraft was missing and was not recovered until later. Report remarks include: Rcvrd 6/9/72...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

14 August 1972

Civil registration, N6303T, cancelled.