Corsair unveiling

Fantastic stuff…gotta see this bird when I get back over there…probably the most historic of Corsairs due to it’s original condition…would be a fascinating chance to see it ‘right off the flight deck as is…’ A total contrast to the restorations of today, which are no less spectacular….just the other end of the restoration spectrum!

Mark

Must say the Westcountry TV reporter, Jon Andrews got it right but the BBC report was well wide of the mark, despite being briefed beforehand, he made several mistakes in the report and spoilt it.

That’s good. My local TV here couldn’t remember which war some RAF veterans were in when they visited their old training field in Oklahoma. The T-6 could have made a lot of difference to World War 1. :rolleyes:

Rob / Kansan

Must say the Westcountry TV reporter, Jon Andrews got it right but the BBC report was well wide of the mark, despite being briefed beforehand, he made several mistakes in the report and spoilt it.

Just to let the forum members know, yes a book is being prepared to tell the story of the aircraft and its restoration by David Morris the museums Curator of Aircraft who led the restoration team. In the speech by the Chairman of the FAAM Trustees at the rollout, the link between the day and the story of ‘Hammy’ Gray was told to the assembled guests, but sadly not mentioned on any of the TV broadcasts.

Excellent! Thanks S93

Not unexpected of TV news reporting.

R/K

Is she going back in the FAAM now?

Already been on show in Hall 2 for 2 weeks, the film showing it being rolled out of the hangar was filmed several weeks ago.

Just to let the forum members know, yes a book is being prepared to tell the story of the aircraft and its restoration by David Morris the museums Curator of Aircraft who led the restoration team. In the speech by the Chairman of the FAAM Trustees at the rollout, the link between the day and the story of ‘Hammy’ Gray was told to the assembled guests, but sadly not mentioned on any of the TV broadcasts.

Is she going back in the FAAM now?

Hi All

Ok i guess it was a daft question, Forgive the blurry one i managed to take a lot of blurry pictures that day.

Scott C

Hi all

Would anyone like to see some pics of FAA Museums corsair ?

Scott C

Do you need to ask? 🙂

R/K

Hi all

Would anyone like to see some pics of FAA Museums corsair ?

Scott C

Corsair at Yeovilton + Robert Hampton Gray VC

It is a great pity that on the 60th anniversary of a VC being won by a Corsair pilot it was not mentioned on the BBC news to accompany the excellent reports on the restoration.

On August 9, 1945, as the second atomic bomb fell on Nagasaki, the air war against Japan targets continued unabated. For the second launch of his day, Robert Hampton “Hammy” Gray led two flights of Corsairs against airfields in the Matsushima area, northern Honshu. There was little enemy activity; a first strike from Formidable had left the targets in ruins. Since Gray was briefed for the secondary target of naval ships at nearby Onagawa Bay, he decided to attack.

The other flight members recall him saying he was going in, and peeled off to follow him in the high speed run. As Gray levelled out his Corsair, it was blasted with cannon and machine gun fire. The aircraft was set on fire, and one of his 500 lb. bombs was shot off. He then steadied the aircraft, and aimed his remaining bomb. This bomb hit the ocean escort vessel Amakuza below the after gun turret, exploded the ammunition locker, and blew out the starboard side of the ship. Amakuza rolled and sank immediately.

Gray continued flying but brief seconds later his burning aircraft rolled over, hit the water at high speed, and broke up. Gray was killed, becoming one of the last Canadians to die in combat in WW2. Despite the shock of losing their leader, and in spite of the order to make only one run at each target, the remaining pilots conducted two more successful attacks on the target Japanese ships.

Hammy Gray was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on August 31, 1945 for “determination and address in air attacks on targets in Japan on the 18th, 24th and 28th of July 1945.”

On November 13, 1945 Hammy Gray was posthumously awarded the British Commonwealth’s highest medal for valour, the Victoria Cross. In part, his citation read: “Lieutenant Gray has consistently shown a brilliant flying spirit and most inspiring leadership.”

Setter,
She’ll be there, along with the Fulmar and Albacore. Will you be bringing the Stirling? 😉

Stringbag

Come on – can’t you take solid intense grilling on matters of great importance- the public wants to know – will it beat leg ends!!!

John P

LOL. At a guess I’d say there’s a chance, but not a very big one.

That’s lovely. Has anyone written up a more detailed analysis of the restoration? Clearly they’ve decided to preserve it at a specific moment in time, as it were. I’d be interested to know what kind of decisions they had to make in the process. e.g. didn’t I read somewhere they found a huge 3-digit number painted in white on the cowling which related to its building in the States or something? I notice that it’s not there now. (or is it?). Also, is there a movement history available for public perusal (from 4000 miles away)?

Rob / Kansan

Thanks for the link BlueRobin. I admit to believing that most warbirds (and all aircraft in general) should do what they were originally designed for and fly, however this Corsair is an example of an aircraft that I wholeheartedly believe should remain groundbound. It’s a priceless example of just how Corsairs were during their service life.

Well done to the FAA Museum for their fantastic efforts with this.

Cheers,
Matt

http://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibits/planes.asp?plane=153 doesn’t say

An even more interesting idea than Leg Ends. When RN gets the new larger carriers, will historical FAA aircraft types be able to land on them?

I’ve seen it and I think it’s static but I’m not sure

Stringbag

Come on – can’t you take solid intense grilling on matters of great importance- the public wants to know – will it beat leg ends!!!

John P

Hi Melve

Will it be at legends next year

john P

:rolleyes: 😉

Hi Melve

Will it be at legends next year

john P