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Re: Corsair histories

Posted by Rob Mears on Tue Feb 19, 2002 02:13:28 AM

In reply top Corsair histories help required posted by Neil Medcalf on Mon Feb 18, 2002 10:12:27 PM

: Hi everyone- I'm looking for the histories and photos if p
: ossible of the following F4U Corsairs-
: BuNo- 17799, 97359, 133714, 92106, 92132, 92529, 92433, 13
: 3693

Here's a VERY quick run down of these planes:

BuNo.17799 was obtained by MGM following WWII for use as a movie prop. It remained there until purchased by Planes of Fame in 1970. They eventually restored the aircraft and flew it for the TV series "Blacksheep Squadron". It took part in the air races at Reno, and remains airworthy with the P.O.F. Air Museum today.

BuNo.97359 was purchased from Navy surplus by Bob Bean in 1957. After a stint in outdoor storage, it was refurbished to flying condition for Tom Freidkin during 1975. In 1978, he used the aircraft as the basis for his new company 'Cinema Air'. In 1988 this Corsair was sold overseas to the Old Flying Machine Company. It remained there until 1992 when it was returned to the States for Norm Lewis. Max Chapman bought the plane in 1998 and had it completely refurbished in the blue & green paint scheme worn by of VMFT-20.

133710 (a.k.a.133710) - This plane was registered as N33714 because N33710, 711, 712, and 713 had been taken up. This has led to a big mix-up over the years with many thinking the Bureau Number is actually 133714, which is incorrect. This plane was donated to the USMC Museum in 1969 by the French Aeronavale. It was traded two years later to Dean Ortner as trade for his FG-1D. 133710 was purchased the following year by John Silberman following Mr. Ortner's death in an AT-6 crash. One year later the plane was again sold, this time to John Schafhausen. Mr. Schafhausen flew the aircraft in the "Blacksheep Squadron" series, and later sold the plane to Canadian Blain Fowler in 1983. Mr. Fowler currently maintains the plane in airworthy condition as "Alberta Blue".

BuNo.92106 was purchased from war surplus by Len Berryman. He displayed the plane in his park until 1973 when David Tallichet traded some playground equipment for it. It was refurbished and also took part in the filming of the "Blacksheep Squadron" series. It was sold to Gary Kohs in 1990. Mr. Kohs had the plane relocated to John Lane's Airpower Unlimited in Idaho where it is currently under long term restoration.

BuNo.92132 was purchased as Navy surplus by Ed Maloney in 1958. It remained with the Air Museum (Planes of Fame) until 1973 when it was purchased by David Tallichet. It was refurbished alongside 92106 to serve in the filming of the "Blacksheep Squadron" series. In 1994, Butch Schroeder bought the plane and set it aside for future restoration.

BuNo.92629 (a.k.a.92529) - This is another plane who's Bureau Number has been misrepresented more than once. This plane served with the Fuerze Area Salvadorena (Salvadoran Air Force) from 1957 until 1975. It was brought back into the States in 1975 for John Stokes. Raymond & Delina Jones bought the plane in 1980 and maintained it for three years before selling it to Bob Pond in 1983. He operated the plane as part of the Planes of Fame East Museum in Minnesota before relocating to Palm Springs. It is currently operational there.

BuNo.92433 - This Corsair was purchased from Navy surplus by Frank Tallman in 1960 as part of his Movieland of the Air Museum. It remained there until sold to Isaac Newton (Junior) Burchinal in 1972. Mr. Burchinal flew the plane as part of the "Blacksheep Squadron" series. Unfortunately, this plane was completely consumed in a hangar fire at Addison Airport in Dallas, TX during 1979. It was rumored that the remains of this plane were used in the recent restoration of Ray Dieckman's FG-1D, but all parties I have interviewed that witnessed the fire first hand said all that was left was the engine and the main gear oleos.

BuNo.133693 - This ex-French Aeronavale Corsair was brought to the States by Lynn Garrison in 1969 as part of his American Aerospace & Military Museum. He sold the plane the following year to Bob Guilford who refinished the plane as "Blue Max" and took part regularly in the air races at Reno. The plane was lost during 1984 during an air show in Southern California.


That's the SHORT version of each history. If you have any more detailed questions regarding these planes you can e-mail me if you like. I'm in the process of trying to finalize my book covering the histories of the world's post-war survivors. With a ton of luck it will be finished in time for the Corsair Gathering in September, but most likely just after. I hope this helps.

Rob Mears

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