With the present statement that Warbird Community Foundation’s Goodyear FG-1D Corsair was being setup on the market, i view living from the good warbird.
Whenever FG-1D BuNo 92050 departed Goodyear’s Akron development business on several, 1945, it going getting NAS North park, Ca in which they stayed regarding the flights pond until December 1945, followed by on course north towards the set aside squadron on NAS Seattle, Arizona. In November 1947, this new aircraft made their first of about three travel to Jacksonville to have repair. Ranging from Could possibly get 1948 and February 1952, that it Corsair served from inside the set-aside squadrons during the Minneapolis, Seattle, and San diego. Within the December 1952, it temporarily entered this new age date as the American Honor Foundation’s F4U-4 97359, out of Baa Baa Black colored Sheep tv glory. For the April 1953, the fresh new combatant again reverted to the brand new Navy Reserve, spinning anywhere between Grosse Ile, Dallas, and Seattle along side next thirteen months.
A track record of the brand new Warbird Lifestyle Foundation’s Higher Ponds Corsair to own Purchases
Seen at ex-NAAF Salem, Oregon on may 30, 1957, when FG-1D BuNo 92050 is actually impacted out of Navy collection to your September 9, 1954, they had flown merely step 1,491.7 hours. Photo: Dave Ostrowski through Jim Sullivan
On September 9, 1954, having step 1,491.7 circumstances complete time, 050 is actually impacted if you are nonetheless inside Seattle, in which they stayed until it had been bought because of the George F. Kreitzberg regarding Salem, Oregon on may twenty-two, 1958. The cost are good paltry $ otherwise $2, in the modern currency. Affect the latest registration N6604C, the new combatant introduced compliment of seven owners into the five claims ranging from 1958 and you can 1963, but really it travelled below 29 days. On may 15, 1963, Colorado-citizen Robert A great. Mitchem bought new aircraft, however, barely travelled they up until the guy went sky rushing into the 1966. Inside a june 10, 1966, letter toward FAA, Mitchem expected another Letter-count. Why we want another type of number is due to the brand new fact that the fresh new flights is designed and you will modified to have endless rushing and since new race count set upon the aircraft from the National Aeronautic Assn. [sic] is actually #94, we wish these first alternatives number… the guy published. Mitchem expected N94G or N94FG, nevertheless the Corsair in the course of time went on the new check in just like the N194G, it keeps to this day.
When Mitchem showed up more than Stead inside the September 1967, the guy performed so that have a bang…literally. Those things occurred on the way try unknown, however when the fresh new uncovered steel Corsair registered the latest pattern, it was puffing heavily away from a couple of blown jugs. Through to coming in contact with along the motor entirely caught, and then he blew the latest installment loans Texas kept main tire obtaining fighter averted. Mitchem’s team made an effort to resolve of your own aircraft however, were not able to take action before qualification due date.
When he approached Stead inside the 1967, this new Corsair’s Roentgen-2800 blew a pair of jugs pushing your and then make an excellent hasty getting you to blew this new remaining head tire. The fresh staff could not create solutions in time so you can meet the requirements. Images through Author’s collection
Whenever Mitchem gone back to Reno inside the 1970 the new Corsair had been given loads of changes, along with a roentgen-2800-34W radial with an effective downdraft carburetor, a cut-down Skyraider prop, and you may an effective P-51H spinner. Internally, brand new stock oils cold are replaced with a great tool regarding an enthusiastic R-4360, if you find yourself a good 100-gallon container discover behind this new pilot’s chair fed a squirt pub system. Aerodynamic mods tend to be shut cowl flaps, metalized control surfaces, and you will wingtips that have been cut around three feet eight inches on every front side. To minimize lbs, the gear retraction method is actually eliminated. At some point, Mitchem’s rushing career never ever amounted so you can far. When you look at the 1970 and ’72 (He had been incapable of be considered from inside the 1971), the guy competed in four racing and you may obtained just one top step three become. At the end of Reno 72 Mitchem became popular regarding Stead towards the journey to Broomfield. None Mitchem neither 92050 create ever before come back.
