were canceled following the September 11 attacks, but Precious Metal returned to Reno the following year. Buccarelli described flying Precious Metal as a "handful", in contrast Rare Bear, which he had a chance to fly in 2006. In 2011, Precious Metal was sold to Thom Richard, who made several modifications to the aircraft, including a feathering pump. Richard was not able to race that year, as the Reno Air Races were canceled after the fatal crash of The Galloping Ghost. In 2012, Richard flew Precious Metal in the Gold Class race, but he did not finish because one of the landing gear doors came off in flight. After many new modifications, Precious Metal returned to Reno in 2013. The modifications included a new streamlined canopy, many carbon fiber parts to reduce weight, as well as many modifications to the engine to bring it up to 3,200 hp. Thom Richard placed fifth in the Gold Class that year. Precious Metal was heavily damaged by a fire days before the 2015 Reno Air Races. One of the ground crew noticed the fire while the aircraft was taxiing and signaled Richard to shut down the engine. Richard shut down the engine and escaped the aircraft, which burned for 12 minutes before firefighters arrived to the scene. It took 20 minutes to put out the fire, and by that time the airframe had sustained severe damage. After the fire, Richard stated that Precious Metal would not race again. A lengthy restoration process of Precious Metal to airworthy condition began in 2016. Racing history 1988 Reno Air Races, crashed 1993 Reno Air Races, entered but did not show up 1995 Reno Air Races, 1st place Silver Class/6th place Gold Class 2001 Reno Air Races, races canceled 2002 Reno Air Races, 4th place Silver Class 2003 Reno Air Races, 1st place Bronze Class 2004 Reno Air Races, 3rd place Silver Class 2006 Reno Air Races, 3rd place Silver Class 2007 Reno Air Races, Silver Class, disqualified 2011 Reno Air Races, races canceled 2012 Reno Air Races, Gold Class, DNF 2013 Reno Air Races, 5th place Gold Class 2014 Reno Air Races, Gold Class, disqualified Other Precious Metal aircraft Two other P-51 Mustangs have carried the Precious Metal name. Precious Metal (N5483V) Don Whittington's original Precious Metal was a P-51D-25-NA registered N5483V, s/n 44-73518. The aircraft was delivered to the USAAF and was shipped overseas in March