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Not FAA, It is definitely not a -1

Posted by Richard Allnutt on Sun Dec 29, 2002 02:41:21 PM

In reply top Re: I assume off French Coast posted by Rob Mears on Sun Dec 29, 2002 11:48:51 AM

Sorry Rob, but I disagree that it is a -1. The kick plate on the side of the cockpit, which the pilot uses to get into the cockpit is rectangular. This feature only appeared on -4 airframes or later. On the -1D and earlier it was flat on the bottom, and very rounded on the top two corners. Also, there are no scallops in the pilots armour plate, as seen on the -1 airframes. FAA never had anything later than a -1D, so it isn't a British corsair. It doesn't have the raised region above the pilots seat armour either, so it isn't a late -4, -5 or -7, which means it has to be an early series -4. It is possible that it is a french machine, as I believe that they did operate -4's, and it is probably in the Med, given that it was found by a french military diver, and that the water is clear and turquoise in color (don't often see that in Atlantic Europe above Spain!). Anyway, it is an interesting shot, though I swear that there was a med. -4 similar to this one shown on this site a year or so ago.

Cheers,
Richard

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