Dates

Event

Constructed as a F8F-1.

May 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 90454.
Trials aircraft.

May 1945

Transferred to Fighter Squadron 19 (VF-19), Auxiliary Field Santa Rosa, CA.
First Squadron to be equipped with F8F.

From 1950 to 1959

Transferred to NAF Norman, OK.
Used as an instructional airframe.

1959

To Ed Weiner, Los Angeles, CA with new c/r N6624C.

From 1959 to 1963

To Ed Weiner, Los Angeles, CA with new c/r N3351.

24 March 1959

Certificate of airworthiness for N3351 (F8F-1, 18) issued.

1963

To Vernon D. Jarvis, Decatur, IL keeping c/r N3351.

1963

To R. E. Schreder, Bryan, OH keeping c/r N3351.

From 21 September 1967 to 21 September 1967

Unknown Race #.
Is thought to have been assigned race #7, but this is not confirmed. The primary pilot was John Church. Did not start in the One Mile Course race.

1968

To Gunther W. Balz, Kalamazoo, MI with new c/r N9G.

4 June 1969

Civil registration, N3351, cancelled.

From 14 September 1969 to 21 September 1969

Raced as #7.
This was a stock airframe was some airframe cleanup in cluding a small tail cone fairing added. Other than the tail cone there were no racing modifications. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gunther Balz. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 348.92 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 345.76 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 305.24 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 318.28 mph.

From 14 September 1969 to 14 September 1969

Raced as #7.
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 Gunther Balz. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 265.46 mph.

Circa 1970

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at an air race in Mojave, CA, possibly the California 1000.

From 13 September 1970 to 13 September 1970

Raced as #7.
Additional internal fuel tanks were added to the outboard wing panels. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Harolds Club Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Gunther Balz. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 273.45 mph.

From 13 September 1970 to 20 September 1970

Raced as #7.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gunther Balz. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 361.70 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 353.76 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 334.43 mph.

Circa 13 September 1970

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

By 13 November 1970

To unknown owner with c/r N9G.

From 13 November 1970 to 15 November 1970

Raced as #7.
Competed in the California 1000 Air Races event. The primary pilot was Gunther Balz. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 302.09 mph. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 11th place with an average speed of 302.09 mph. Flew non-stop.

By 29 May 1971

To unknown owner with c/r N9G.

Transferred to Fighter Squadron 18 (VF-18), Naval Air Station Astoria, OR.

Raced as #1.

Markings Applied: Roto Finish Special, G

1971

Photographer: James F. Buxton

From 29 May 1971 to 29 May 1971

Raced as #7.
The race was from Milwaukee Mitchell Municipal Airport to Civic Memorial Airport, to East Alton, IL (309 miles). Competed at the Alton P-51 Tournament in the XCountry class. The primary pilot was Gunther Balz. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 337.1 mph.

From 2 June 1971 to 6 June 1971

Raced as #7, named Roto Finish.
Competed at the Cape May National Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gunther Balz. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 344.33 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 306.88 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 309.43 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 341.57 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 332.40 mph. Cut a pylon during qualifications. Due to a lack of entries, participated in the consolation race as a fill in.

From 1977 to 2009

To Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum/Preston Parish, Kalamazoo, MI keeping c/r N9G.

Markings Applied: G
Flown in Royal Thai Air Force markings.

Photographer: C.M. Daniels

Markings Applied: 3F8, 90454

7 September 1977

To Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, Portage, MI keeping c/r N9G.

1978

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at Oshkosh.

1978

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at Oshkosh.

1978

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at Oshkosh.

To Air Zoo, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo, MI.
View the Location Dossier

22 July 1987

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum

22 July 1987

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum

26 May 1995

Involved in an incident.
Damaged during a forced landing near Columbia, MO.

From Unknown to 2001

Restored.

2001

Placed on display again at Kalamazoo.

24 September 2007

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum

24 September 2007

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: At Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum

April 2009

To Jens Meyerhoff, Mesa, AZ keeping c/r N9G.

24 April 2009

Ferry flight.
Moved from Kalmazoo to Mesa, AZ.

15 May 2009

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at the Planes of Fame Air Show in Chino, CA.

17 May 2009

26 May 2009

To Meyerhoff Jens, Fountain Hills, AZ keeping c/r N9G.

13 May 2011

Based at Falcon Field (KFFZ), Phoenix, AZ.
View the Location Dossier

Markings Applied: 3-F-8