WIX Archives

Re: Cavanaugh Corsair on gear (pic)

Posted by Rob Mears on Tue May 27, 2003 11:07:43 AM

In reply top Cavanaugh Corsair on gear (pic) posted by Lynn on Mon May 26, 2003 10:02:01 PM

Excellent work on the part of Mike Burke for pulling off what appears to be a near perfect "belly" landing. That's one tough bird! I've got some personal ties to that plane and I'm very pleased that little if any serious damage was suffered.

Regarding the ex-Cavenaugh F4U-4, as Alan said it's been earmarked for restoration along with the -4 that Howard Pardue made so famous on the 1980s/90s airshow circuit. Both are reportedly being returned to flying condition utilizing parts from the "composite" Corsair project which has been based at Tom Reiley's place in Kissimmee, FL for so long (all three aircraft belong to the same party). There has been some speculation as to the quality of refabrication on the Kissimmee project, which has led to the current owner's decision to use it primarily as a source for parts to aid the restoration of the first two aircraft. Hopefully enough of the donor aircraft will remain in the end to justify its own restoration.

Personally I've been looking forward to the restoration of this "Kissimmee Project" Corsair since it was to be the first Corsair to fly utilizing what is technically a new-production main spar. In the world of airworthy Corsair restorations, the main spar is the jinx item. It's so large, and so complex that not a single (surviving) Corsair out there that has suffered a bent or damaged spar has ever returned to the air. Most tend to agree that the main spar is what differentiates a viable project from a nice collection of parts. There are three or four projects out there now that are effectively stalled because of an almost complete lack of extra main spars. Should the Kissimmee project Corsair one day fly, it would successfully dispell the belief that no spar = no airplane. For now, I'm happy enough knowing that the violent forced landing of Howard's plane near Breckenridge, and the disaster we all witnessed at Oshkosh '99 will not have claimed any of the aircraft involved in the end.

That said, the fragility of human life is not so easily recuperated and we all should not forget that Ladd Doctor is still suffering seriously as a result of the Oshkosh crash. Last I heard he was doing a little better, but I'm not sure about the prognosis for his recovery. Does anyone have an update on this?

Follow Ups: