F2G Test Run coming soon...

[Matt Sharkey]

YouTube video of the first flight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL8Ts8pr ... r_embedded

[lmritger]

Stunningly beautiful, like a leap through time... thanks for posting that!

Heartfelt congratulations to EVERYONE involved with getting air back under her wings- and a silent "Thank you" to Walt to holding onto her for all those years instead of letting her get scrapped.

Lynn

[Chappie]

I concur. Congratulations and thanks go out to all who had a hand in keeping this aircraft from the scrapper and allowing her return to the sky, right where she belongs.


Chappie

[StangStung]

If I had a nickel for all the things I thought I'd never see which have since appeared on this site...I'd give them all back to WIX!

Congrats to all for hard work well done!

[OZFURYFAN]

WOW,awesome looking aircraft,I was surprised how high the fuse sits in level flight,with the crank in the wings the pilots view L&R must have been much better espcially in combat.The difference in the oil cooler inlets compared to other Corsair is huge,was this a racing mod or improved design & cooling efficiency? Either way it looks sweet!! cheers,Pete

[RMAllnutt]

WOW,awesome looking aircraft,I was surprised how high the fuse sits in level flight,with the crank in the wings the pilots view L&R must have been much better espcially in combat.The difference in the oil cooler inlets compared to other Corsair is huge,was this a racing mod or improved design & cooling efficiency? Either way it looks sweet!! cheers,Pete

The F2G oil coolers are significantly different to those of a standard corsair... much bigger engine, so more cooling required. However, Race 74 also had some significant modifications to the inlet area... presumeably to reduce drag. Hope this helps. She sure is a beauty, and many congratulations to all involved in saving and resurrecting her!

Cheers,
Richard

[Stephan Wilkinson]

and a silent "Thank you" to Walt to holding onto her for all those years instead of letting her get scrapped.

I've read, on perhaps this thread early on, that Soplata would have been most disappointed to see 74 fly. He definitely didn't feel that rare warbirds should be flown, and he let this one go (not to Odegaard but to a previous buyer, a museum in Ohio) with the only proviso that it would never be flown.

[TimAPNY]

LOVE IT! I WANT TO SEE IT!

Tim

[lmritger]

and a silent "Thank you" to Walt to holding onto her for all those years instead of letting her get scrapped.

I've read, on perhaps this thread early on, that Soplata would have been most disappointed to see 74 fly. He definitely didn't feel that rare warbirds should be flown, and he let this one go (not to Odegaard but to a previous buyer, a museum in Ohio) with the only proviso that it would never be flown.

I've heard the same. Fact is, though, that his diligence DID preserve this airframe, along with dozens of others, and now that he's passed on, the airframes are moving on to people who will care for them as much as Walter did, if not more- even if their vision for it differs somewhat from Walter's.

Remember, we never truly own these historical icons- we're just their caretakers until the next generation can take over. The best we can do is make sure they've got a good head start on taking care of these awesome machines, and Walter did exactly that. So thanks, Mr. Soplata, for your dedication to preserving these planes- the historical aviation world is far, far better for your contributions.

Lynn

[SaxMan]

Wow! What a beautiful restoration. Race 74 is as stunning as Race 57. I can't wait to see pics of the two of them together.

[Ed Likes]

I also add my congratulations to Bob and the gang in Kindred North Dakota. Having Walter show me #74 back in the late 70's, and seeing it now over 30 years later flying is awsome. Better yet I will get to see this aircraft at Oshkosh next week.
My question is this I think I remember that this airplane was going to an owner here in Ohio does anyone know if this is true or not? I simply hope that this Corsair does not become a hangar queen, but is flown from time to time for others to enjoy.

[James D]

Beautiful!

When did this last fly, can anyone tell me?

[kennsmithf2g]

Beautiful!

When did this last fly, can anyone tell me?

September 1st, 1949 414.592 mph withDick Becker at the controls. Qualifying trials. It was the fastest qualifying time. He was to be 1st for Sohio and 8th for Thompson but broke a gear so didn't race. It was the fastest time for a piston racer for 1949. In comparison, Cook won the 1949 Thompson at 397.071 mph with his fastest lap at 406.351 mph.

From what I recall from a talk Dick and Cook gave a while back, they offered 74's propeller to Ben for #57 after #74 was out but he didn't want anything that wasn't stock (#74's prop was reworked).

#57 won the 1949 Timmerman at 386.069 mph, fastest lap at 396.651 mph

the 1949 Sohio was won by Odom in P51 #7 at 388.393 mph fastest lap 404.676.

It could have been a completely different winner's circle in 1949..

Kenn

[kennsmithf2g]

and a silent "Thank you" to Walt to holding onto her for all those years instead of letting her get scrapped.

I've read, on perhaps this thread early on, that Soplata would have been most disappointed to see 74 fly. He definitely didn't feel that rare warbirds should be flown, and he let this one go (not to Odegaard but to a previous buyer, a museum in Ohio) with the only proviso that it would never be flown.

At a talk Dick Becker gave, he said that Walt once approached him about getting #74 back to race condition and Dick racing it at Reno but Dick told him that he was done with racing.

Kenn

[MX304]

I also add my congratulations to Bob and the gang in Kindred North Dakota. Having Walter show me #74 back in the late 70's, and seeing it now over 30 years later flying is awsome. Better yet I will get to see this aircraft at Oshkosh next week.
My question is this I think I remember that this airplane was going to an owner here in Ohio does anyone know if this is true or not? I simply hope that this Corsair does not become a hangar queen, but is flown from time to time for others to enjoy.

When the rebuild started, the owner's intention was to race it. That included a progressive modification program to get more speed out of it. I don't know if that is still the case or not. I assume it is or they would not have finished with the flaps closed up etc..