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Re: Corsair Air-to-Air

Posted by Rob Mears on Fri Mar 07, 2003 10:42:38 AM

In reply top Re: Rare Air-to-Air posted by Steven M Dennis on Fri Mar 07, 2003 10:18:34 AM

This is the original BuNo.122179 - the one lying in pieces at Reiley's place, unfortunately :( So far only two of the original eight airworthy FAH Corsairs have been "destroyed". One of those (Joe Bellantoni's plane) will probably fly again. Heck, with two new outer wing panels, a new main spar, and a heck of a lot of metal work, I suppose BuNo.122179 could fly again as well - though I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for the headache of seeing it through to completion! No less was accomplished with the "F4U-4" project that left Reiley's place a few months back. I never thought I'd see what basically amounts to a 'new-production' Corsair this early in the warbird game.

The image I posted is the first of about 70+ photos that I've received from Forbes, documenting the entire "Honduran Corsair Caper" as they call it. I've heard versions of various stories over the years, so it was beyond exceptional to finally see detailed sequential photos of this mission from start to finish! Now begins the process of scanning and restoring them all for Mr. Forbes. The whole episode would make a great basis for an action/adventure movie IMO ;)

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