F4U-4 to be rebuilt

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

-The question with them is not ‘if’ they will have an accident but ‘when’,and how serious.-

Funny, those were Ladds exact words to me. His 3 main negative points were: very tight cockpit, zero forward visibility unless you point the nose down, and the inability to open the canopy for landing or taking off. The Cavanaugh Buchon has not flown since Ladd flew it last, it is out of annual and has been removed from the insurance for flying. The aircraft is airworthy and could get back into flying status with minimal work but I really doubt that will happen any time in the near future. Yes I do agree that is quite a site to see in the air but at some point you must consider preservation over exploitation. These airframes are just too few and far between, but that is just one of many opinions.
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RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

When i made the point about Buchons having accidents,I wasn’t including the original Bf109 into the argument.In it’s original form,the inverted Daimler-Benz gives a much better field of view,aswell as a lower thrust line which lessens the problem of propeller torque on take-off.
The Buchon has the upright Vee Merlin,with square topped cowling and therefore an abysmal forward view coupled with the high thrust line.The throttle controls also have to be considered,the 109 having automatic propellor speed and mixture controls meaning that only one lever was needed to operate the throttle whilst also juggling with the landing-flap handwhell and the tailplane trim.The Buchon’s Merlin has 3 levers to operate,making the pilot’s workload even higher.
This all means that the Buchon could be more likely to swing on take off and landing and that the pilot is also more likely to make mistakes.
“What makes him think he is such an expert” I hear you say.Well to be honest I’m not,but I have read articles on flying the 109 and Buchon by such people as Charlie Brown,Dave Southwood and others.What I’ve written above is my interpretation of what they say about the handling of the two types.
It would certainly be interesting to hear directly from anyone who has actually flown either or both types.

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

Regards the Buchon the is no particular problem with the type. They just seem to suffer more than their fair share of accident’s.
As such in Spanish service they were used as fighters and didn’t as such carry out directly the same type of flying as is the case of a private owner machine.

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

I’ve got very mixed opinions on Buchon’s and 109’s. On one hand I think they are fantastic to see flying, as I remember from watching Black 6 a few years ago, although that may have been because she was such a rare bird. On the other hand, there’s the ‘tricky’ handling, to say the least. Some of the most upsetting images I’ve seen on TV news have involved warbird accidents, and one which stands out is Mark Hanna’s accident at Sabadell. It would be interesting to hear a display pilot’s views on 109 / Buchon operations…

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

It certainly looks like it was nothing short of a miracle that he wasn’t killed.The idea of someone surviving that mess seems pretty remote.
With regards to the Paul Morgan SeaFury crash,it’s possible that it would have saved him,but then you have to remember that it occured on a grass strip.A few years ago there was an incident involving a T6 Harvard.It overturned on a grass field,and despite the pilot’s re enforced headrest,his injuries were still fatal,the headrest having dug into the soft ground.We can only wonder…
With regards to Buchons,I’ve had quite a disliking of them for some time.The question with them is not ‘if’ they will have an accident but ‘when’,and how serious.I personally wouldn’t mind never seeing one take to the air again.What are other people’s opinion on this?

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

I find it incredible that Ladd even survived, looking at the state of the cockpit area, but it also makes me wonder whether the late Paul Morgan would still be with us had his Sea Fury been fitted with the armoured seat back that some of those have.

Very interesting shots Cool Hand, thanks for sharing them with us, and best wishes to Ladd.

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

I will let Ladd know that you all are thinking of him. In the first of these 2 pictures is a shot of what saved Ladds life. The head rest is connected to 3/4 inch armor plate. Just above the head rest the plate is bent backwards about 40 degrees. Without that armor plate Ladd would not be here today. The second shot is a little fuzzy but it is of Ladd in the Buchon. He was not to fond of flying this aircraft, he said that it took 110 percent of his attention at all times. I once asked him how he liked flying it and he said “I don’t, I prefer it parked”.
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RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-12-01 AT 10:22 PM (GMT)]<<>>

Actually, all of the major components (minus the port wing) appeared to be in rebuildable shape to me. The fuselage basically broke off at the factory seam at the cockpit, and the engine snapped at the firewall. The starboard wing doesn’t appear to be in horrible shape from all the pictures I’ve seen since the crash. There is alot of superficial damage but the all important main spar appears to be in good shape.

Seeing it in pieces with a destroyed port wing still attached is a shocking sight, but I doubt the rebuild will be as daunting as some might think. Best of luck to Jim Cavenaugh and the gang 🙂

Rob

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

Forgive my ignorance but is that the one which had the horrific crash last year?

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

Wish him well from all of us.

TTFN
Mick

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

As far as I’m aware, apart from needing a new right wing the Bearcat’s fuselage was twisted out of true by the impact – but as I heard it, it mostly needed re-jigging. I’m not an engineer, but that’s what I heard. But it sounds an easier prospect than the Corsair.

Let’s hope they both get airborne again – and so does Ladd.

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

Well actually after the accident the insurance company paid off on the policy and took ownership of the wreckage. Jim Cavanaugh then went back to the insurance company wishing to purchase said wreckage. Due to the impending law suits nothing was able to transpire till now.
As for Ladd, I spoke with him on the phone about a month ago. I have not had a chance to talk with him since the accident. I used to volunteer my time to the museum and had a good relationship with Ladd. We talked for about an hour and a half, he is in great spirits. His spinal cord was bruised so there is still hope he will recover. He has physical therapy 4 hours each day, 7 days a week. After the holidays I will go out to see him.

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

Hello,

The Corsair was not re-acquired by the Cavanaugh Flight Museum but released to the museum after FAA investigation. It was said in the official report (CHI99FA266A):
“All of the wreckage of the F4U-4, N712RD was realeased and returned to the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Incorporated, Addison, Texas.”

What are the news about Ladd Doctor?

Blue Sky,

Benjamin.

http://www.ntsb.gov/Aviation/CHI/lnarr_99A266A.htm (I hope the link is correct).

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

She’s still in Brekenridge, TX. at Nelson Ezels place… I’m not sure the status but last I heard they will have her back in the air.
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RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

I think I’d probably agree with you there David,although considering the footage I saw of the accident,it seems amazing that there is even as much as this left in recognisable condition!Perhaps the centre section and some of the wing components are redeemable,but it sure look like one hell of a job…
Does anyone know what’s happening with the Bearcat that was damaged in the same incident?I heard that despite it’s outward appearance it was pretty much a write-off.Anybody know if she’ll fly again?

RE: F4U-4 to be rebuilt

In other words build a ‘new’ Corsair looking at the extent of the damage.