Dates

Event

1945

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

Circa 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-4393.

Converted to a RP-63C.

From 1946 to 1948

To Bird Airways, Long Beach, CA with new c/r N62822.

May 1946

Photographer: William T Larkins
Notes: At Long Beach, California

From 30 August 1947 to 1 September 1947

Raced as #92.
The race was from Van Nuys, CA, to Cleveland. Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Bendix Reciprocating Division race. The primary pilot was Joe Kinkella. Started the One Mile Course race, but did not finish. Landed at Pueblo, CO, with an engine problem.

January 1951

Certificate of airworthiness for N62822 issued.
Last FAA annual inspection report.

1954

To Galen F. Bartmus, Kingman, AZ keeping c/r N62822.

From 1963 to 1966

To Bruce M. Madison, Phoenix, AZ keeping c/r N62822.

From 1969 to 1975

To John R. Sandberg, Minneapolis, MN keeping c/r N62822.

Restored.
The hulk was restored as a racer.

10 July 1969

Involved in an incident.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number MKC70F0092: There were no fatalities. Incident occurred at 18:14 hours. The damage was substantial. Incident occurred at the Crystal Airport, Crystal, MN. The flight departed from Crystal, MN, with the destination Crystal, MN. The engine failed or malfunctioned during the initial climb. Collided with wires and/or poles while on final approach to land. The emergency circumstances included; forced off-airport landing on land...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

From 12 September 1972 to 17 September 1972

Raced as #28.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Marvin *Lefty* Gardner. Qualified in 33rd place with an average speed of 323.37 mph. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 290.45 mph.

After 1972

Photographer: Charlene Aro

From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973

Raced as #28.
Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Marvin *Lefty* Gardner. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 302.29 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 293.10 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 305.59 mph.

From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973

Raced as #28.
Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the John Livingston Cup race. The primary pilot was Marvin Lefty Gardner. Started the One Mile Course race, but did not finish. Left mid-race with engine trouble.

Circa 16 January 1973

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Great Miami Air Race.

From 11 September 1973 to 16 September 1973

Raced as #28.
Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the Unlimited class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Marvin *Lefty* Gardner.

Circa 11 September 1973

Photographer: Mike DeCastro

Circa 11 September 1973

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

September 1974

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: At Reno Air Races, Nevada, USA

From 10 September 1974 to 15 September 1974

Raced as #28, named TIPSY MISS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Marvin *Lefty* Gardner. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 372.80 mph. Started Heat 1, but did not finish. Pulled out on the second lap with a burnt piston.

Circa 10 September 1974

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

Circa 10 September 1974

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

October 1974

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: Mojave Air Races, CA

From 9 October 1974 to 13 October 1974

Raced as #28, named Tipsy Miss.
Competed at the National Air Races Mojave in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Marvin *Lefty* Gardner. No time was recorded and finished in 12th place. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 339.896 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. No time was recorded and finished in 7th place. Cut Pylon 5 on Laps 5 and 6 of the Championship Race.

Circa 9 October 1974

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races held at Mojave, CA.

Circa 9 October 1974

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races held at Mojave, CA.

From 18 June 1975 to 22 June 1975

Raced as #28, named TIPSY MISS.
Competed at the California National Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Marvin *Lefty* Gardner. Qualified in 14th place with an average speed of 340.11 mph. Started the Consolation race, but did not finish. Left the Silver Race on lap 5 after loosing a coolant line and destorying the engine.

From 9 September 1975 to 14 September 1975

Raced as #28, named TIPSY MISS.
Attended the National Championship Air Races, but did not compete in the Unlimited class and it is uncertain if there was an intent to compete.

From December 1975 to 1979

To Mike Smith, Johnson, KS keeping c/r N62822.

From 19 June 1976 to 20 June 1976

Raced as #28, named Tipsy Miss.
Competed at the California National Air Races in the Drag race. The primary pilot was Marvin *Lefty* Gardner. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 220.080 mph.

From 7 September 1976 to 12 September 1976

Raced as #28, named TIPSY MISS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Marvin *Lefty* Gardner from Mercedes, TX. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 343.86 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 300.04 mph.

19 October 1976

Certificate of airworthiness for N62822 (P-63C-5-BE, 33-978) issued.

From 26 February 1979 to 4 March 1979

Raced as #28.
Was to have competed at the Homestead Florida in the Unlimited class, but did not arrive. The primary pilot was to be Mike Smith from Johnston, KS.

July 1979

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at Oshkosh.

31 July 1979

Photographer: Paul Thallon
Notes: 1979 photo at Oshkosh WI - of a Bell P-63C King Cobra

31 July 1979

Photographer: Paul Thallon
Notes: 1979 photo at Oshkosh WI - of a Bell P-63C King Cobra

From 11 September 1979 to 16 September 1979

Raced as #28, named WHAT PRICE SPEED?.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Mike Smith. Qualified in 27th place with an average speed of 318.49 mph.

Circa 11 September 1979

Photographer: Tim OBrien

From 24 November 1981 to 1990

To Southport Aviation/Bob Reiser, Reno, NV keeping c/r N62822.

Markings Applied: 44393, Cobra
Flew in red scheme.

Circa 1982

Photographer: Mike Woodley
Notes: Gathering of the Warbirds Maders CA. 1982

Circa 1982

Photographer: Mike Woodley
Notes: Gathering of the Warbirds Maders CA. 1982

Circa 1982

Photographer: Mike Woodley
Notes: Gathering of the Warbirds Maders CA. 1982

Photographer: Charlene Aro

18 August 1984

Crashed.
The accident occurred at the Madera Airport (MAE) Madera, CA, United States while landing. The damage was substantial. The pilots of a bell P-63 (king cobra), N62822 a north american P-51 (mustang), N65206, were participating in an air-show when the aircraft collided during landing. An investigation revealed the P-63 pilot had made a 360 overhead pattern before landing...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

From 1987 to 1990

Leased to The Fighter Collection/Stephen Grey, Duxford.
Kept the U.S. based civil registration.

6 January 1988

Transported by ship.
Moved from Chino, CA, to Duxford, England.

Markings Applied: white 53

12 May 1988

First flight.
Flew at Duxford.

September 1988

Photographer: Jacqueline Fischer
Notes: Ecuvillens, Switzerland

4 June 1990

Crashed.
Crashed at Essarts-le-Roi, near Paris while returning to Duxford, Cambridgeshire after a flying display.Sadly, the pilot was killed and the aircraft completely destroyed.

4 June 1990

Destroyed in a crash.
Went down near La Ferte-Alais, France.

19 August 2013

Civil registration, N62822, cancelled.

1 January 2019

Certificate of airworthiness for NX62822 (P-63C-5-BE, 33-978) issued.
Editor note: It is unclear why a CofA was issued in 2019.