History / Previous Identities:


1966: N7099V (Pioneer Aero)
1969: N9LR (Larry Strimple)
1974: N55JL (Jimmy Leeward)
Numerous names and paint schemes. Jimmy Leeward likes to show up at shows each year with a different mustang.
Mostly "Cloud Dancer" #9, but you never know.
#9 seems to be the only thing that does not change.
2001: Oct. firewall forward restoration began by Dan Martin
in Hollister, CA
2005: wins Bronze by passing P-51A Polar Bear after playing with him most of the race.
2006: installed the old cut-down race canopy and a race Merlin. Came back just before the start of the Gold race with a cracked header tank which means coolant is streaming out and you have to land very soon or burn up your Merlin.

2010: SOLD! (oh no) Jimmy Leeward has owned this bird for many, many years.
Story Here.

New owner Phil Petrick was flying Cloud Dancer at 14k from Texas to Montana when the merlin blew a hole in the case! He dead-sticked into Curtis, Nebraska which was fortunately close by with no damage. Nice work by Petrick. The engine was purchased as is from Duane Doyle in California. When hearing about what happened, Doyle refunded the price of the engine when not obligated to do so. Wish there was more people like that around.

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