Several North American Mustangs raced in the Unlimited Class races at the Reno Air Races have been fitted with Griffons. These include the RB51 Red Baron (NL7715C), “Precious Metal” (N6WJ) and a Mustang/Learjet hybrid “Miss Ashley II” (N57LR). In all cases, Griffons with contra-rotating propellers, taken from Avro Shackleton patrol bombers were used in these aircraft. The RB51 Red Baron is noteworthy for holding the FAI piston-engine 3-kilometer world speed record from 1979 to 1989.
In 1979, Steve Hinton, the well known race pilot, took the heavily modified Griffon-powered Mustang RB-51 Red Baron out and broke the existing record with an average 499.018 mph. With further engine development and ideal conditions, the RB-51 could have exceeded 525 mph, but was lost at that year’s Reno races.
All Aero 