Mystery Corsair F4U-5N

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:53 pm

I took this photo at NAS Whiting Field around 1975. This F4U-5N flew into the North field there. Who's it was, why it was there and it's ID are unknown to me. This was long before Glen Hyde's and Colling's 5Ns. Anyone out there know the answer?

SPang · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2005 4:57 pm

Hello,

Is it possible that is an F4U-5NL? :?:

I think the aircraft have the de-icer boots due to the difference of color.

SPang

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:32 pm

Looks to be F4U-5N BuNo.122189 which was traded to by the US Navy to the USMC that year (2/1975) in exchange for the FG-1D now on display at the Washington Navy Yard in D.C.

The plane in the photo was flown from Pensacola to MCAS Cherry Point, then on to Quantico, and finally to MCAS El Toro during 1986. It's now on display there under a partial shelter.

Appears to be in much better condition in the photo that it does today!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Feb 24, 2005 9:44 pm

Rob,
I think your right. The airplane was at NAS Whiting North Field for a few months the reason being than the round engine mechs were all there. I remember the plane being pretty much torn apart and worked on. It did look very nice. This was 1975-76 time frame. When it flew out they did fly-bys with some instructor flown T-28s and it was COOL!! They also had a SBD there being worked on in early war colors.

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Fri Feb 25, 2005 1:13 am

Very cool that you were there to witness that Jack

It really helps to have a visual on that plane since there is very little "juicy" info on it with the USMC Museum's records.

Thanks for the info Tracey. I was aware of the move to Miramar, but was not aware that El Toro had been closed for good.

That's pretty sad news to me. Most of the great Marine pilots from WWII owe their training to El Toro.

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:18 am

EL Toro was just sold for some crazy price. The runways will be taken out and a park (most likely small) and condos will replace the base.

I went to see the Museum there in 97. It was pretty nice. Then the -5N was in a hanger and in nice shape. Pictures I've seen lately I was unimpressed on how she looked.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

TimApNy wrote:

EL Toro was just sold for some crazy price. The runways will be taken out and a park (most likely small) and condos will replace the base.

So much for the touted "Great Park"! And what about the 27 golf courses that were promised?

Can't ever have enough of those, especially when you can tear up a perfectly good airport in the process.

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Fri Feb 25, 2005 10:58 am

I may have missed the Golf part; I'm not into golf so that would not jump out at me. Removing a runway does. And it is sad to see bases close and go away.

New York was hit pretty hard by the closures in the 90's. They took all out BUFFs away :cry:

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Mystery Corsair F4U-5N

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