Finding visuals...
  • The Locator
  • Airframes Database

    Social media...
    Follow AV on facebook
    Follow AV on Twitter @aerial_visuals
    Follow the AV YouTube Channel

    Site navigation...
  • Home
  • Desktop Calendar
  • The Racers
  • FAQs
  • About Aerial Visuals
  • Comment on this Dossier

  • Search For Airframes Now
    Search - Index - Gallery - Reports - Lists - AV Needs You!

    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
    Construction Number:1A
    Last Civil Registration:N5003
    Compressed ID:Cassutt Special cn 1A cr N5003
    Latest Owner or Location:Freedom Flight Terminal, Reno Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada

    EDIT THE HISTORY HERE
    If you can add to the history or would like to submit a correction please use the editor to do so.

    UPLOAD A PHOTO
    If you have a photo of this airframe to share then use the photo upload tool.

    The Airframes Database depends on user contributions to stay current.
    If you have any news about this airframe or photos which you would like to share please do so
    by using the links above.
    The more you and others share the better the database becomes!

    Dates

    Event

    1970

    Constructed as a Special.

    By 1 September 1979

    To unknown owner with c/r N5003.

    From 1 September 1979 to 3 September 1979

    Raced as #54, named Miss Cleveland.
    Competed at the Cleveland Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Larry Minch. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 212.598 mph.

    22 May 1980

    Certificate of airworthiness for NX5003 (Sport Racer, 1A) issued.

    From 18 July 1980 to 20 July 1980

    Raced as #54, named Miss Cleveland.
    Attended the Texas Championship Air Races at San Marcos, but did not compete in the F1 class and it is uncertain if there was an intent to compete. The primary pilot was Larry Minch from Middleburg Heights, OH.
    Your Assistance is Needed: It is unclear if this racer was in competition. Can you confirm?
    Share Your Information with Everyone by Editting the Documented History

    12 July 1983

    To Explorer Aircraft Co, Reno, NV keeping c/r N5003.

    From 12 September 1983 to 18 September 1983

    Raced as #54, named Miss Cleveland.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Bill Skliar. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 208.38 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 205.89 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 211.68 mph.

    12 September 1983


    Photographer: Jim Weiherer

    From 10 September 1984 to 16 September 1984

    Raced as #54, named Gold Dust.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Bill Skliar. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 211.525 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 205.842 mph. Started Heat 4A, but did not finish. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 213.308 mph.

    From 9 September 1985 to 15 September 1985

    Raced as #54, named Gold Dust.
    Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the F1 class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Bill Sklier.

    From 8 September 1986 to 14 September 1986

    Raced as #54, named Gold Dust.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Bill Skiiar. Qualified in 13th place with an average speed of 205.394 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 204.502 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 193.460 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 200.780 mph.

    From 23 May 1987 to 25 May 1987

    Raced as #54, named Gold Dust.
    Bill and Jane Skliar brought Race 54 down from Reno, with Fred Hahn as crew chief. Gold Dust was looking and running well, with several changes since the previous year. Competed in the International Formula 1 San Diego event. The primary pilot was Bill Skliar. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 194.607 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 204.618 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 197.260 mph.

    From 14 September 1987 to 20 September 1987

    Raced as #54, named Gold Dust.
    Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Formula One class. The primary pilot was Bobby Budde. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 208.453 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 207.863 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 199.146 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 204.573 mph.

    10 September 2008


    Photographer: David Lednicer
    Notes: The Formula One Class Racer Gold Dust on display at the Reno Air Races.

    8 November 2013

    Civil registration, N5003, cancelled.

    Placed on display with Freedom Flight Terminal, Reno Stead Airport, Reno, NV.
    View the Location Dossier


    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
    Mike Henniger

    Tell Others About this Airframe Dossier
    Forum Link: [URL=https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=197303][IMG]/home/users/web/b1393/nf.aerialvisuals/public_html/AV/Support/Logo_20x20.jpg[/IMG]Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Cassutt Special, c/n 1A, c/r N5003[/URL]
    Direct Link: https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=197303

    Copyright 1993-2025 AerialVisuals.ca
    The Aerial Visuals pages are best viewed with a screen at least 800 pixels wide.
    In case you are wondering Aerial Visuals is a huge fan Google Chrome. If you do not have Chrome installed why not?
    Aerial Visuals requires cookies and Javascript to function correctly. Please ensure these features are enabled in your browser.
    Aerial Visuals is powered by Netfirms.