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Re: At least 14... here's a list

Posted by Rob Mears on Wed Apr 21, 2004 12:07:44 PM

In reply top Re: At least 14... here's a list posted by Richard Allnutt on Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:04:06 PM

: I wasn't aware of 92213 owned by the Thomas brothers...
: what is the history behind this aircraft.

This was basically a derelict center section that was found at the defunct NAS Memphis Naval Air Station back in the late 1960s. It was recovered from that location by Bob Hood and stored for many years. It later went to Dave Etchell in California who bought it as a long term restoration project. Etchell later sold the plane, as well as his airworthy AT-6 in order to buy his current, more complete Corsair project. BuNo.92213 was sold to Jim & Judd Thomas who are currently pursuing the long term restoration/reconstruction of the plane.

: Also, what are the details on the McPhereson aircraft...
: I thought this one got really burned up, is that true?

This one didn't burn at all actually. This was the plane that crashed on take off from Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, Connecticut with Joe Bellantoni at the controls back in 1981. The center spar was broken, and both wings were basically destroyed. John Roxbury initially bought the wreckage, later selling it to Conrad Egan in 1988. Egan procured a servicable main spar for the plane from Bob Hood. That act alone transformed the plane from a "collection of parts" into a viable restoration project again (albeit still very incomplete).

MacPhearson bought it in 1991, and has maintained it as a very long term restoration project.


: And finally, do you know much about Jean-Pierre Parizon?

Jean-Pierre Parizon is an aviator and warbird enthusiast from Lons-Le-Saunier, France. He is working with Florida based restoration specialist Greg Sheppard to restore this Corsair back into a complete aircraft. They were going to perform the restoration in Florida, but later they found out that, for the plane to fly in France, it had to either be grandfathered, or had to be rebuilt on French soil! Last I heard, they were going to have to relocate the project overseas. Bear in mind that this is a very long term project. The main spar itself has a football-sized hole in it just below the firewall, which was sustained during its 1984 forced landing in Texas. It won't be an easy task, and I'm very glad to see it become something other than a derelict source for parts. They are very excited that the plane has a traceable combat history, but their efforts to reinstate it's identity are sure to ruffle a few feathers before all is said & done. I'll leave that subject alone though :)

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