Vought F6U Pirate under restoration...

[RMAllnutt]

I was unaware of this until scanning through the heritage section on Vought's website. However, they have an F6U Pirate under restoration at Vought's factory in Texas.

http://www.vought.com/heritage/corsair/html/inwork.html

The website says that it is on loan from the Museum of Naval Aviation. While I did know that NEAM had one rotting out in the scrap/storage yard behind the museum, I was not aware of this example, unless of course that they are one and the same, and somehow the navy owned the one at NEAM all along.

Which is it guys? If the latter, then great, it's glad to see the old beast come in from the cold. If the former, then, where did it come from? I was only aware that one was left.

Cool in either case though. It looks like they have made some pretty good progress!

Cheers,
Richard

[tom d. friedman]

great job on all 1 of a kind birds!!! best, tom

[RMAllnutt]

Hi richard,

When you mean NEAM do you mean New England Air Musuem.

RER

Hi Rob,
Yes, I did mean the New Englad Air Museum. Is this F6U their air frame?

Cheers
Richard

[RMAllnutt]

Any more news on the F6U restoration, or what airframe it is?

Cheers,
Richard

[RMAllnutt]

Hiya folks... forgot to mention that I found out from the guys at Vought's booth at the Corsairs over Connecticut show that the F6U their volunteers have under restoration is indeed the example that used to be at the New England Air Museum. They have pretty much taken the restoration as far as she can go at the moment, and are in need of the center section wing box. The guy I spoke to said that they thought that one was at Chino... anyone out there with details on that?

On another note, the Vought restoration volunteers are now hard at work on an F4U-4 which they acquired about a year ago... this was news to me. The fuselage and center section looks decidedly like the former John Silberman example which was under restoration at Tom Reilly's facility. At least one of the outer wings came from the former Cavanaugh flight museum's -4, and I think the other came from the former Howard Pardue example. Just thought you'd like to know. Anyone have any further details?

Cheers,
Richard

[bdk]

Hiya folks... forgot to mention that I found out from the guys at Vought's booth at the Corsairs over Connecticut show that the F6U their volunteers have under restoration is indeed the example that used to be at the New England Air Museum. They have pretty much taken the restoration as far as she can go at the moment, and are in need of the center section wing box. The guy I spoke to said that they thought that one was at Chino... anyone out there with details on that?

Never seen nor heard of it, but I reserve the right to be proven wrong (and look forward to it!).

[AirJimL2]

The fuselage and center section looks decidedly like the former John Silberman example which was under restoration at Tom Reilly's facility. At least one of the outer wings came from the former Cavanaugh flight museum's -4, and I think the other came from the former Howard Pardue example. Just thought you'd like to know. Anyone have any further detail?

Richard,

I did hear that Vought was to receive the ex-Silberman project, so I guess it was more than a rumor. I do know that the guy who bought the Pardue and Cavanaugh (and maybe another?) wreaks bought the Silberman plane as well. So it makes sense he kept the parts he wanted and donated the remainder.

Where is the plane destined upon completion?

Jim

[RMAllnutt]

Hi Jim,
The corsair, and most of the other aircraft being restored by the Vought retirees are all down in Texas at the main Vough facility. I believe that they are trying to create a museum there to showcase Vought aircraft, which would be pretty cool if they can manage it. There aren't too many other manufacturers who'd go to such lengths to preserve their past history, so here's hoping that it happens.

Cheers,
Richard

[Shay]

Would nice to see a Vought Museum. Seeing the Pancake makes my feel sorry that both F5U's were scrapped.

Shay

[bdk]

The corsair, and most of the other aircraft being restored by the Vought retirees are all down in Texas at the main Vough facility.

Hmmmm... I happen to have a Vought badge. Can you tell me which building they are located in?

[RMAllnutt]

Not sure which building they are in, but you may be able to glean something from their website. Let us know if you take some pictures!

Cheers,
Richard


http://www.vought.com/heritage/corsair/html/completed.html