RE: Boo Boo Pics

I wonder if anyone can positively identify Wildcat “F-15” as one of the airframes recovered for the US Navy during the early-1990’s? It would be interesting to see what condition she might have been in after 50 years submerged.

Rob

RE: Best American Fighter?

Yes, once relieved of the plane’s weight the oleos returned to normal position. I believe they were valved in a way that, once the plane alighted, would cause them not to exhibit any rebound characteristics.

In general, if you look at a Corsairs oleos they will show about an inch or so of oleo where similar aircraft show much more. I suppose that small amount is enough to allow for normal ground operating conditions without too rough of a ride. My guess would be that the template was used because the margin for error with the oleos was so strict.

At Oshkosh this year I had a man point to the Corsairs oleos and question me about this very subject. The aircraft in question actually had no oleo showing on its port side! I convinced him that this was normal, although I pretty sure the plane we were looking at could have used a little TLC.

RE: BuNo.123168

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-12-01 AT 10:50 PM (GMT)]Yeah, I’m not a big fan of “borrowed identities” when it comes to warbird restorations. I’ve been tracking and researching the surviving Corsairs for over 20 years now, and I’ve made every effort to record all instances of borrowed identity, as well as ‘multiple fuselage’ restorations, etc.

BuNo.123168 was one of the F4U’s brought back disassembled from Honduras in 1979. At some point during the years, its data plate was removed. Pete Thelen bought the plane in 1987 from John Mullen and proceeded to restore her. At that time he also owned F4U-5NL BuNo.124692 (sold to Bob Collings), F4U-5N BuNo.124493 (which he traded to the RNZAF Museum on behalf of Disney Studios), and the substantial (though somewhat burnt) remains of F4U-5N BuNo.122179.

BuNo.123168 was the airframe Mr. Thelen chose to restore for himself. Unfortunately, its identity was unknown at that time. I contacted Mr. Thelen during the restoration of the plane and he informed me that it would be easiest to use the Bureau Number from 122179 to register the aircraft to fly. Regardless, I sought to discover the plane’s true identity for the sake of historical record.

After searching out various sales and import documents, and through process of elimination, I accounted for and tracked the movement of every airframe returned from Honduras. All were known airframes and all were accounted for except for BuNo.123168. A sales receipt identified 123168 as one of the airframes transfered to Hollywood Wings in Long Beach, CA arriving disassembled on flatbed train cars. I then spoke to various individuals who purchased these airframes from Hollywood Wings. These witnesses paited a vivid picture of the available airframes as they were stored outdoors at Long Beach Airport in 1979/80. All were accounted for, including the one unidentified airframe purchased by John Mullen (BuNo.123168) which made its way to Pete Thelen.

By the time I approached Mr. Thelen with my findings, he had already registered the plane and it was on the verge of its first flight. Some components (other than the data plate) from BuNo.122179’s airframe were actually used to aid 123168’s restoration which probably gave legal credence to the use of the donor aircraft’s registration number.

I’ve yet to discover the point in time when BuNo.123168 lost it’s data plate, and to this day it’s still moonlighting as 122179. My hopes are that one day its true identity will be “officially” reinstated. Right now, I can see how approaching the FAA about a million dollar aircraft/investment with a questionable liniage is probably not top priority for the current owner. All of my anal-retentiveness aside :), I’m personally quite satisfied just knowing the aircraft is maintained in immaculate airworthy condition, and that it is operated by the very capable hands of its current owner.

For the record, the REAL BuNo.122179 is sitting in outdoor storage at Tom Reiley’s facility in Florida awaiting a new owner and large amounts of TLC.

RE: Best American Fighter?

First off, I’m biased 😉

I’d have to choose the F4U-4 Corsair. The P-38 is tooo complex with multiple engines and the ecentric fuselage design. The P-51 is beautiful, but the inline engine makes it easy prey to any kind of offensive fire.

Nope, the Corsair would have to be my all around pick for general, worldwide warfare for a few reasons.

1. Payload – The Corsair lugs the heavy ordinance with the best of them. It’s one hell of a dedicated fighter/bomber.

2. Carrier Capability – The Corsair fights from land AND sea. A fighter that can truly be deployed anywhere. None of the contenders even place in this category.

3. Performance – Speed, zoom, turning capability, climb, etc. The Corsair harbors no weaknesses in all these respects.

4. Endurance – Well over 1000 miles.

I’d love to do some private testing to confirm exact performance figures. Anyone interesting in financing such a venture? 😉

Rob