North American P-51 Mustang (N551MB)

Since being redressed from the "Risky Business" garb it wore a few years ago, "Goldfinger" has become a somewhat difficult aircraft to photograph. That polished silver reflects everything in the vicinity as well as the sky (note the reflection of the yellow line on its fuselage) AND the sun, so it requires a bit of rapid camera setting adjustments whenever Goldfinger is being photographed while either flying past or taxiing by. But no one who has viewed Goldfinger will argue: it is a fabulous looking aircraft. And it is certainly a racer too, but it faces tough competition: last year's Unlimited Gold winner was "Dreadnought" and the Silver winner was Dan Vance's "Speedball Alice."

Fantastic shot of this beautiful warbird! The gold on bare polished aluminum looks so good!

Great picture of a really cool Mustang. 5* Gary!

5 buffed out "buffers" on this one Gman! Wish I knew Dan Vance....................... :)

Hi, Dwight, and TY. (Wave) Dave, Howdy and TY to you also. Alien ... I've never met Dan Vance for more than an ultra-brief moment, but I would like to. When I was in the pits last year, I was trying to get some "unique angle" snaps of Speedball Alice and Dan came over and took down many of the cones and tapes from around S Alice so I could get unobstructed shots. When I was done, he went back around putting them all back up. I thanked him but then someone called out that he was needed and we never had any more conversation. I love Speedball Alice. Every year I take dozens of shots of it. And I also wish I could meet Mike Brown and get a good closeup look inside N551MB's cockpit. Man, I LOVE that Mustang!!
* Also, an info note: "Rare Bear" is gone. No appearance at this year's RAR. It was disassembled and trucked away a couple months ago. A guy I know saw it being hauled along I-80. I've got many pics of it at previous NCAR events but I am very sad it won't be there. *