WIX Archives
Bellantoni F4U
Posted by Rob Mears on Sat Jan 11, 2003 11:27:43 PM
In reply top Re: Me thinks its pointless... posted by Jim Bates on Sat Jan 11, 2003 11:34:47 AM
: CWH? They never damaged the C-GCWX? But you list brings
: up a interesting point, what is the status of the Bellanto
: ni bird?
Ooops :) I meant CFM (Cavenaugh) - not CWH.
The Bellantoni bird got a much needed boost a couple of years back when the current owner Tim McPhearson obtained a new main spar from Bob Hood to replace the unit damaged in the 1981 crash (which was broken completely through in the port landing gear well). Mr. Hood had recovered two derelict FG-1D center sections from the old NAS Memphis airfield back in the early 1970's. He had them stored away for years and very few people were aware that he had them.
The Bellantoni bird is still undergoing long term restoration. It's still without wing panels, and there are no extras floating around anywhere. The port wing was shreded in the crash, and the starboard wing was basically destroyed outboard of the gun bays. Restoring it will definately be a challenge.