Warbird Information Exchange

Can anyone tell me the current status of Bill Compton's F6F-3 Hellcat BuNo 08825 ex N4965V that had a forced landing on June 12, 1977 near Canby, Oregon? I've heard that it still exists and that it was being restored at one point. Any news would be appreciated.

Dennis

Hi Dennis,
Bill still has the old F6 on his farm. It's roughly in the same condition has when it crashed.
Bill did strip out the rear fuselage of all useable parts and it sits out in his backyard while the wings and center section are in his hanger. After he recovered from his injuries, he was really excited about rebuilding and secured new wings (new being a realitive term), cowl, accessory section, prop and a number of wrecked center sections. But I guess age and money ended the idea of rebuilding the a/c. He still loves that airplane. BTW Bill flew B-25s in WWII and is close to 85 now.

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Here are 2 photos of this Hellcat in 1974.

http://www.ronsarchive.com/wb02/index.htm

_________________
Ron Olsen

Webmaster
www.ronsarchive.com
(contact info there)

Rumours of an F6F 'in pieces' being sold recently.

Could this be the one?

Won't the Navy want it back?

Recalled these photos of the Compton Hellcat posted last fall.

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:10 pm Post subject:

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We were at the McMinnville fly-in over the weekend, and
one of the guys we were camping with is one of my
best friend's Dad, who grew up with Bill Compton in
the Camby area. I suggested we take a box of beer or
something and go visit him, so several of us piled into an
extended cab pickup truck and headed that way.

I agree it could fly again, no problem. Throw enough good
sheet metal men at the project and $$$ and it could fly in
a few years.

I have to say Bill struck me as a super nice guy, and really
misses flying the Hellcat and his '55 C-180, which has around
1200TTSN and hasn't flown in a long time either.... He was
very gracious and invited us to visit again whenever we
were in the area.

Here are links to a few photos I took.

http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/1.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/2.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/3.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/4.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/5.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/6.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/7.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/8.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/9.jpg
http://www.havasreti.com/Hellcat/10.jpg

Bela P. Havasreti

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Thanks, gentlemen!! You've been most helpful.

Dennis