Warbird Information Exchange

Currently I am doing some research on the well-known incident of 10 May 1945, where Bob Klingman (VMF-312) destroyed a Ki-45 "Nick" by using his propeller to chop up its tail, causing it to crash.
source: http://www.f4ucorsair.com/vmf312/312.html

According to the late Mr Klingman himself, he was flying brand new FG-1D BuNo.87853 that day.
source: http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/ ... ingman.mp3

Digging for more info about this aircraft, I discovered that on the 31st of May 1945 it was used to shoot down a Ki-46 "Dinah", this time used by Tom Liggett of VMF-512!
source: http://www.adamsplanes.com/Liggett%20512.htm

I have the strong suspicion that the first victim was actually a Ki-46 "Dinah" as well, as the Ki-45 wasn't as high-performant and didn't have photograhic capabilities. This would mean that BuNo.87853 was used to kill the almost untouchable "Dinah" twice - possibly a unique feat for any allied fighter!

Now I just discovered that BuNo.87853 still exists! Apparently it's owned by Malcolm Miller of Carpinteria, CA and registered as N9152Z and is currently in a 3-seater(?!) configuration.
sources:
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N9152Z.html
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/thirdseries9.html
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/corsairr ... 87853.html
http://www.planedesire.com/aircraft/des ... tails.html (for sale?)

I find all this a bit too good to be true, so can anyone please confirm or deny my findings?

Thanks,

Ronnie Olsthoorn
www.skyraider3d.com

PS. Any photos of this aircraft, both wartime and post-war are most welcome too.

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I had read the story years ago, and it's fascinating that this airframe may have found its way to private ownership and may exist in some form of parts or completeness! Great stuff. Thanks for the links to the additional info. I enjoyed Klingman's audio.

As far as that planedesire link- it appears that site lists all currently registered aircraft of type, because I found other airplanes there that I know are not for sale.

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Life's a Pitts

If you did, you'll probably like this one as well: http://www.hyperscale.com/galleries/tig ... gero_1.htm

It's a recording from a telephone interview I had with Bill "Tiger" Lyons, a Mustang pilot of the 355th FG. He told me about his encounters with the Luftwaffe, so I could make an artwork for him. I have compiled his description of his second kill (subject of the artwork) and turned it into a 10-minute mp3 file. Have a listen, it's very interesting to hear his recollections of this battle!

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Please visit my aviation art gallery at www.aviationart.aero
AviationArt.Aero is now also on Facebook