Collings Foundation aquires another bird...

[Warbirdnerd]

This time the ex Foote Wildcat. I wonder if they will keep the 3 passenger seats and sell rides?
From their Facebook Page

[Warbird Kid]

From Facebook

This is the aircraft that belonged to Dick Foote. It actually has seating for 3 in the back. We have been told that having weight in those seats has a major impact on CG, so no wildcat rides for now. At some point it might get returned to "factory" condition, but for now it is going to stay a flyer.

I for one would hate to see one of the coolest post war mods taken out of this bird! Hopefully something can be done and they can put her to work selling rides. But all in all I'm glad they bought this one. Seems like a nice fit. Now I just hope they don't decide to change the scheme. It's one of the coolest!

[Pat Carry]

Great news. I love the Grumman Wildcat.

[Dave Lindauer]

This was the first "Maytag Messerschmitt" I ever saw in flight. I think it was at an airshow at Johnnycake Airport in Harwinton, Connecticut back in the 1970s. Not exactly Oshkosh, but a great little show!

I agree - it would be cool if Collings keeps it as is.

[C VEICH]

Excellent news! I can't think of a better place for the old girl to continue to get the care she requires.

[The Inspector]

From Facebook

This is the aircraft that belonged to Dick Foote. It actually has seating for 3 in the back. We have been told that having weight in those seats has a major impact on CG, so no wildcat rides for now. At some point it might get returned to "factory" condition, but for now it is going to stay a flyer.

I for one would hate to see one of the coolest post war mods taken out of this bird! Hopefully something can be done and they can put her to work selling rides. But all in all I'm glad they bought this one. Seems like a nice fit. Now I just hope they don't decide to change the scheme. It's one of the coolest!

Chris, gravity, and where it works it's magic never stops, and as us older guys can attest, and you'll eventually find out as you get older, gravity piles up on you.

[JimH]

It's gonna remain a flyer until a couple other big projects are completed, then restored to stock. Sorry to dissappoint but this won't be a ride machine.

Jim

[kalamazookid]

Collings has really been breaking open the piggy bank for the new acquisitions lately. Nice to see this great organization getting even bigger.

[Matt Sharkey]

Jim,

Is that machine coming over to American Aero for annual?

Matt

[RickH]

It arrived at American Aero yesterday. It will get a fresh annual while there.

[Warbird Kid]

It's gonna remain a flyer until a couple other big projects are completed, then restored to stock. Sorry to dissappoint but this won't be a ride machine.

Jim

[StangStung]

Glad to hear it's going to a great home.

One question on markings for the WIX illuminati - by the time the FM-2s were around, getting all over glossy blue, the days of the red insignia surround had long since passed, correct?

Great scheme though, otherwise. I really like the late-war GM wildcats. Could be because I had a cousin on the USS Kadashan Bay who told me he enjoyed watching them when they let him out of the engine room. He made them sound pretty cool!

[dred]

Three passenger seats? Seriously? How does that work?

[k5083]

Stangstung: Yes. The red border was phased out in Sept. 1943 and the overall blue scheme started in March 1944. I don't think I've ever seen a pic of a real USN aircraft carrying the red bordered insig over overall blue paint. Looks nice though.

August

[Warbird Kid]

This Wildcat originally had the standard US Insignia with no red borders. It seems at some point in the 90's the red was applied. While possibly not original or accurate, I still think she's the prettiest Wildcat out there.

Sorry, I'm just still a little bummed to hear she won't be keeping her spare seats. Regardless of using it as a ride program aircraft, I still think it'd be worth to retain the seats rather than convert it back to stock condition when you could purchase a beautiful stock (albeit more expensive) Wildcat currently in restoration on Courtesy as well. I can understand the want by CF to make it beautifully stock and original like the A-36, but personally to me, this one is just fine the way it is. But then again I wasn't the one who bought her...