Dates

Event

Constructed as a F7F-3P.

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 80503.

From By 1960 to By 1980

To TBM Inc, Sequoia, CA.

October 1973

Spotted unconverted and dismantled in a hut at Sequoia, CA.

From By 1982 to By 1983

To Mike Bogue, Oakland, CA.
Stored dismantled in Oakland.

December 1988

To Robert L. Waltrip, Houston, TX with new c/r N800RW.

From Unknown to By 2002

To Lone Star Flight Museum/Robert L. Waltrip, Galveston, TX keeping c/r N800RW.

Based at Lone Star Flight Museum, Scholes Field, Galveston, TX.
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Contracted to Durrell Skurich, Fort Collins, CO for work on the airframe.

From 1988 to By 1989

Restored.
Markings Applied: Big Bossman, 80503, RW
The work was carried out at Fort Collins, CO.

Circa 1993

Photographer: Ken Videan
Notes: At EAA Oshkosh.

Circa 1993

Photographer: Ken Videan
Notes: At EAA Oshkosh.

1996

Withdrawn from use at Galveston for museum display.

From 2002 to By 2003

To Fury Ltd/Michael Brown, Carson City, NV keeping c/r N800RW.

Ferry flight.
Moved from Glaveston, TX, to Ione, CA.

Contracted to Sanders Aviation, Eagles Nest Airport, Ione, CA for work on the airframe.
Prepared for racing.
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Your Assistance is Needed: Did Sanders carry out the work of preparing this airframe for racing? Please share any information you may have with Aerial Visuals.
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Circa 2003

Photographer: Ken Videan
Notes: At Reno.

2 April 2003

To Monique Ltd/Michael Brown, Carson City, NV keeping c/r N800RW.

2 April 2003

To Monique Ltd, Carson City, NV with new c/r N805MB.

25 June 2003

Assigned civil registration: N805MB (TIGERCAT F7F-3, 80503)

Markings Applied: Big Bossman, MB

From 8 September 2003 to 14 September 2003

Raced as #1, named BIG BOSSMAN.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Michael Brown from Carson City, CA. Qualified in 19th place with an average speed of 365.705 mph.

8 September 2003

Photographer: David Leininger
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races held at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

From 15 September 2004 to 19 September 2004

Raced as #1, named BIG BOSSMAN.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Brown from Carson City, NV. Qualified in 22nd place with an average speed of 363.875 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 354.555 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 359.361 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 366.102 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 368.092 mph.

By 3 June 2005

To unknown owner with c/r N805MB.

From 3 June 2005 to 5 June 2005

Raced as #1, named Big Bossman.
Competed at the Tunica Air Race in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Michael Brown. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 333.537 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 336.866 mph. Started Heat B, but did not finish. Raced in the Gold race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 232.709 mph.

From 12 September 2005 to 18 September 2005

Raced as #1, named BIG BOSSMAN.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Michael Brown from Carson City, NV. Qualified in 20th place with an average speed of 354.577 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 361.074 mph. Started Heat 2D, but did not finish. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 369.895 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 371.736 mph.

From 11 September 2006 to 17 September 2006

Raced as #1, named BIG BOSSMAN.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Brown from Carson City, NV. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 369.601 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 362.736 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 374.985 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 366.472 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 362.388 mph.

11 September 2006

Photographer: David Lednicer
Notes: The Unlimited Class racer Big Bossman being towed out for a practice session at the Reno Air Races.

From 10 September 2007 to 16 September 2007

Raced as #1, named BIG BOSSMAN.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Brown from Carson City, NV. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 371.030 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 366.427 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 373.933 mph. Did not start in the Consolation race.

From 8 September 2008 to 14 September 2008

Raced as #1, named BIG BOSSMAN.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Brown from Carson City, NV. Qualified in 14th place with an average speed of 373.591 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 377.545 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 334.667 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 364.019 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 367.327 mph.

14 September 2008

Photographer: Kat Fallacy

3 April 2009

To Lewis Aeronautical Llc, San Antonio, TX keeping c/r N805MB.

15 May 2009

Photographer: Mike Henniger

15 May 2009

Photographer: Mike Henniger

15 May 2009

Photographer: Mike Henniger

16 May 2009

Photographer: Mike Henniger

17 May 2009

Photographer: Todd Royer
Notes: Shot at Chino California

27 July 2010

Certificate of airworthiness for NX747MX (TIGERCAT F7F-3, 80503) issued.

From 13 September 2010 to 19 September 2010

Raced as #1, named EL JEFE.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Rod Lewis from San Antonio, TX. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 364.981 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 358.497 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 362.252 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 342.085 mph. Raced in the Championship race. The race was canceled and 7th place was assigned based on previous heat results.

16 September 2010

Photographer: Mike Henniger

Circa 16 September 2010

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

Circa 16 September 2010

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

Circa 16 September 2010

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

Circa 16 September 2010

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

8 November 2010

To Lewis Racing Llc, San Antonio, TX keeping c/r N805MB.

8 November 2010

To Lewis Racing Llc, San Antonio, TX with new c/r N747MX.

19 November 2010

To Lewis Racing Llc, San Antonio, TX with new c/r N805MB.

To Lewis Air Legends/Rod Lewis, Lewis Ranch Airport, San Antonio, TX.
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By 12 September 2011

Markings Applied: LA PATRONA, RL, 1

12 September 2011

Photographer: Mike Henniger

From 12 September 2011 to 16 September 2011

Raced as #1, named LA PATRONA.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Rod Lewis from San Antonio, TX. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 377.639 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 369.374 mph.

13 September 2011

Photographer: Mike Henniger

13 September 2011

Photographer: Mike Henniger

16 September 2011

Photographer: Mike Henniger

From 8 September 2014 to 14 September 2014

Raced as #1, named LA PATRONA.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Stewart Dawson from Celina, TX. Qualified in 9th place with an average speed of 357.765 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 324.429 mph. Did not start in Heat 2C. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 328.668 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 342.256 mph.

9 December 2023

To Spitfire Ventures Llc, San Antonio, TX with new c/r N747MX.