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Re: Corsair Question /Rob Mears we talk about it.

Posted by Rob Mears on Sat Nov 15, 2003 11:25:30 AM

In reply top Corsair Question /Rob Mears we talk about it. posted by Rob Rohr on Sat Nov 15, 2003 09:56:33 AM

The article I recall was called "The Napoleon Corsair" about an ex-Cherry Point (I believe). As you stated, the plane was taxied by the USMC pilot down some country roads to the little town of Napoleon and parked for display. The pilot simply disconnected the battery and left the plane as it was :)

I've followed up with every relevant government and city agency I could think of in the City of Napoleon and was unable to find anyone or any info concerneing the fate of the Corsair. It's another one of those "boots on the ground" situations where someone needs to actually go there and hang around for a few days rubbing elbows with the locals to uncover info. I figure if I made a big enough stink about it to the local newspaper, they might print a few paragraphs about my search for info on the town's 'mystery plane'.

I have the article here and I plan on rereading it today to see if I pick up on anything I might have missed years ago. The plane was most likely scrapped as were so many of the post-war warbirds gifted to these small towns. Then again, it could just as easily be collecting dust in the barn of one of the eccesntric local recluses!

If there was indeed another article involving TWO Corsairs in a similar situation, I'd absolutely love to look into it.

On a side note, I was finally able to visit Antioch Park in Kansas City a month of so ago to see where the F4U stood that was donated to that city back in the 1950s. Would you believe that the old bird survived in that park until the mid-1970s before being SCRAPPED! I can't believe the CAF, Tallichet, or any of the other warbird movement kingpins didn't pick up on that one before it met its fate. It's a beautiful little park and I can imagine how much of an eyesore the Corsair must have been after 20 years of vandalism and exposure to the elements.

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