Warbird Information Exchange

I'm trying to put together a reasonably comprehensive list of post-WWII prop-driven aircraft that were converted to executive-transport businessplane use. I want to include everything from singles to four-engine aircraft, but I'll leave off the list aircraft that were originally intended to be passenger carriers anyway, like C-45s, military Staggerwings, DC-4s, etc.

So far, my informal list includes...

The obvious Howard 250/350/500 conversions
On Mark A-26 conversions
Learstar
various B-17 conversions
various B-25 conversions including NAA's own executive B-25
multi-seat BT-13 attempted conversion
a rumored plan by Republic to convert P-47Ds to multi-seat executive transports

I might also include some single-seaters specifically converted for executive use, like the "Lil Nugget" F6F used by the president of Alaska Airlines, and a few similar P-51 conversions.

Which ones am I missing? Any turboprops?

Catalina

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David Legg
Editor, The Catalina News
The Catalina Society
Author: Consolidated PBY Catalina - The Peacetime Record

There is an article in the Feb. 17, 1952 Chicago Tribune where it talks about Col. Robert McCormick, Editor and Publisher of the Trib, starting a 20,000 mile trip to South America, Africa and Europe in a B-17 that was converted to an executive configuration. I have a book, somewhere in my 2000 volume library, that has a pic of this plane. Pretty "plain jane" just some red trim and the name of Chicago Tribune on the fuselage above the wings, if I remember correctly.
Another one, not sure this counts, but I believe it was an heir to the Fulton Steamship Company that used a P-51 as his executive transport with him riding in the jump seat behind the pilot. There was an article in an Air Classics several years ago about this. The pilot wrote it and talked about accidentally taking off on a high speed taxi run. It was a good article.
Lastly, and maybe stretching the point a bit, but would you consider Bob Hoover's Mustang when it was in its Rockwell colors, be considered since he used it to travel from place to place while working for them?

Almost forgot, Cavalier Mustangs, the B-26 Marauder that was owned by the CAF, as well as Diamond Lil were converted to executive transport configurations before being reconverted. Not really executive configuration, but what about the post war use of the Lancaster as an airliner, as well as Sweden using B-17's for the same purpose. I believe TWA also tried that with a B-17 or two. A number of B-25's were also converted and there is a pic out there of a P-61 that was in civilian colors, I think with a Mexican registration, before it was converted to an aerial tanker. Howard Hughes' A-20 was also a conversion. B-23 Dragon. Sorry, rambling a bit as I think of others.... C-46's.

There were at least 7 different companies that did conversions of the B-25 and A-26. Several did both, some did one or the other. There were also tons of Lodestar and Beech 18 converisons.

There was at least one FM-2 Wildcat that had a small cabin added behind the cockpit with (very cramped) seating for four passengers.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f4fregis ... -86680.htm

Don't forget the multi-seat T-34 built in Japan by Fuji. I believe it's called the FM-2

Years ago someone at Flying magazine (perhaps our very own Stephan Winkinson who regularly posts here) said the design "was a roundabout way of building an ugly Bonanza".

While none saw civil use, Douglas built transport versions of the A3 Skywarrior...and Grumman built the C-1 Trader variant of the S2F/S-2.

A couple of paper projects: Cessna's 4-place T-37 derivative.
Douglas's plan to turn F-10/F3D Skyknights into executive jets...I've heard both that they were to be conversions of surplus airframes and new builds...I would like to know more.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

(perhaps our very own Stephan Winkinson who regularly posts here)

Check out the OP of this thread...and yeah, that was me re the Fewjee.

blush....I rarely look at the names since most are silly nicknames.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

The Collings Foundation is in possession of the FM-2 Wildcat BU. 86680, the one with the passenger compartment. Seen it a few years ago either at Reading WW2 weekend or at Thunder Over Michigan. I'd take a ride if offered.

But was the FM-2 intended to be fast transport for the boss, or is it just one of many warbirds that have had a seat installed, for fun, back where the big radio boxes (or a fuel tank) used to live? I'm looking for true business aircraft.

Does the British Avro Lancastrian count? I believe it was based on the Lancaster bomber. Or was that more of a new-build?

Stretching things quite a bit, didn't the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser use B-29 wings and tail feathers?


Oh, and I think the Fuji 4-place version of the T-34 was the LM-2, not FM-2

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

I remember an old movie (probably 1960's) and all I recall is at the end a convict was being transported somewhere by plane and it happened to be an A-26 conversion. Anyone know which one?

Some of the Lancastrians were new build others were converted. Lacking longer range transports in the DC-4 class, the Brits also made transports out of Stirlings and even more Halifaxes...which are used in the Berlin Airlift.
If needed, I can go to my Putnam series and provide more details.

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

The movie with the A-26 at the end was Badlands.