Chicago O'Hare Airport Wildcat Dec 2004

[P51Mstg]

Someone had mentioned that they had not saw the Wildcat at O'Hare in Chicago. Here are some pics I took in December 2004 as my son and I ran across the airport to change planes. I may have spent 30 seconds taking these pics (they look like it too). I can say it is nice, its in a corner behind the ticket counters in one of the terminals and with security you really can't get to it now.

Mark H

[Django]

Pretty cool, thanks for posting. The last time I was in that terminal, it was all under construction, and it was 1:00 am and I didn't have it in me to seek it out.

[cg51]

Nice Pics, Thanks for posting them

I just walked past her three days ago. I stood right next to her, I hear she's a replica, not the real deal, is this true? ... looked real to me.

[Mike]

I just walked past her three days ago. I stood right next to her, I hear she's a replica, not the real deal, is this true? ... looked real to me.

Not true Hellcat - it's one of the Lake Michigan recoveries, restored by Roy Stafford's Black Shadow Aviation I believe.

And the best thing about it, at least when I was there in 2005, is that there's a bar next to the Wildcat, so you can sit and have a beer there while waiting for your flight!

[mustangdriver]

Now all museums should have that.

I just walked past her three days ago. I stood right next to her, I hear she's a replica, not the real deal, is this true? ... looked real to me.

Not true Hellcat - it's one of the Lake Michigan recoveries, restored by Roy Stafford's Black Shadow Aviation I believe.

And the best thing about it, at least when I was there in 2005, is that there's a bar next to the Wildcat, so you can sit and have a beer there while waiting for your flight!

Yes, I thought you were right about it being the real deal, as for a bar, nope, but just a little way down the hall there's one. Unless something opened in a last few days.

[JDK]

Nice to see, thanks!

A fine example of corporate arrogance - the 'World's busiest airport' is actually the namesake of Butch O'Hare - not the other way around! But the suits' airport is more important than some old airmen, eh?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_O'Hare

Last edited by JDK on Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mustangdriver]

Nice to see, thanks!

A fine example of corporate arrogance - the 'World's busiest airport' is actually the namesake of Butch O'Hare - not the other way around! But the suits' airport is more important than some old airmen, eh?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_O'Hare

Careful JDK, the mayor might find out and bulldoze the runways AGAIN

[Steve Nelson]

I found the Wildcat when we passed through the airport a couple of years ago. Drug my poor girlfriend all over the terminal looking for it...fortunately she's a good sport.

SN

[Django]

I doubt it's corporate greed. Probably someone just didn't understand the usage of "namesake" when they made the new displays. It still makes sense as is, unless you're an english major.

[JDK]

I doubt it's corporate greed. Probably someone just didn't understand the usage of "namesake" when they made the new displays. It still makes sense as is, unless you're an english major.

That's about right.

[Joe Scheil]

This wildcat is not only a real F4F-3 without folding wings, but was restored by Black Shadow or something and then shipped to the USMCAS El Toro Museum back in the early 1990's. Placed on display there, the plane was in its original markings I believe, or the ones it came up with. Later a serial number guy, and a Butch O'Hare scholar was referencing serials flown with existing aircraft. The connection was made that this aircraft was one the Butch had flown in training before going to the fleet, or had flown at one time. Lengthy discussions ensued resulting in El Toro surrenduring the F4F-3 and getting a FM-2 I think. In any case this is a true link to O'Hare, and does get a fair amount of viewers. When I pass through for a lunch break between flights, I sit near the Cat' and wonder if the little plane can believe how much has changed....

The airport is named for the man, and this is perhaps the best place for the plane other than flying...Believe it or not, she does stop many folks and brings them in for a closer look.

[Ken]

Bump due to the recent Kalamazoo discussion.

Some nice photos of the O'Hare Wildcat here:

https://travelforaircraft.wordpress.com ... bit-write/

[Clifford Bossie]

That is one of the Wildcats I included on my website: http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/Wildcat/F4F_pt1.html
(Shameless self promotion)