Lex's Brewster F3A-1 Corsair at Air Expo
Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:27 pm
Here are a few more photos taken at the Air Expo 2005 in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. These shots show Lex Cralley's rare Brewster F3A-1 Corsair. I don't recall seeing photos of this bird before, so it was a pleasant surprise to see it show up on Sunday.
Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:02 am
definetely a labor of love & long term project!!
Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:56 am
What's the story on it, where did it come from?
Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:15 am
Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:16 am
I was thinking of heading back on Sunday... Now I see I should have.
Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:39 am
The most amazing thing about this plane's history is that its pilot bailed out at altitude and died after his chute failed, meanwhile the plane itself continued on without a pilot and basically landed itself in a swampy marsh. Tell me the Corsair isn't a tough bird! 
Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:45 am
That's one hell of a lot of Brewster Corsair - Though I do not underestimate the amount of work needed to restore her!
No wonder the US Navy wanted it back.....
Paul
No wonder the US Navy wanted it back.....
Paul
Tue Jul 26, 2005 11:25 am
paulmcmillan wrote:That's one heck of a lot of Brewster Corsair - Though I do not underestimate the amount of work needed to restore her!
No wonder the US Navy wanted it back.....
Paul
Caution....not everything in that photo is Brewster built Corsair.......
Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:00 pm
OH 
?
Canopy and engine mount appear to be less weathered then the rest of the airframe.
regards,
~t
?
Canopy and engine mount appear to be less weathered then the rest of the airframe.
regards,
~t
Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:27 pm
Wow...
I had never seen pix of this F3A project. There's a lot more to it than I'd expected (even if there are now other bits included). Certainly do wish Mr Cralley the very best with such an exciting undertaking!
S.
I had never seen pix of this F3A project. There's a lot more to it than I'd expected (even if there are now other bits included). Certainly do wish Mr Cralley the very best with such an exciting undertaking!
S.
Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:16 pm
John Beyl wrote:Caution....not everything in that photo is Brewster built Corsair.......
From looking at the Corsair up close, my guess is that the engine mount, canopy, and part of the vertical stabilizer are not original to this aircraft. Plus, the recovery photos next to the Corsair appeared to show it without a canopy, engine mount, and vertical stabilizer...althought I don't discount those items also being recovered (but in perhaps unusable condition).
By the time this bird is airworthy, how much of the plane can realistically expect to be Brewster-built?
75%?
50%?
25%?
I certainly don't know...wonder what the rest of you think.
Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:01 pm
I figure 25% or maybe a little more once its done. Most of the internal systems will probably be new, as will everything forward of the firewall, including the massive main spar. Some of the skins will need to be replaced, and the wings look to be due for a major rebuild. Lex of course would be the man to provide the most accurate assessment.
The plane is essentially identical to the Vought / Goodyear variants so nothing priceless will be lost in its return to flight condition IMO. The only difference between it and its Vought counterparts would be the possibility of some substandard construction work (as per the rumors of Brewster's reputation as a second rate manufacturer). It would be interesting to determine if any of the old anecdotes hold water. Conditions such as that would hopefully be corrected anyway if the plane is to fly again. Maybe Lex could tell us if he has found anything notable during his inspections of the airframe.
I figure the majority of the intrinsic value resides in the simple fact that he's beginning with a Brewster product rather than an FG or F4U. All are essentially identical, save for the factory assigned designation and the data plates.
One of my great warbird wishes is to see this plane fly again one day, if only to complete the victory against the corrosive mentality that otherwise would have seen the plane languish. Upon its completion, the F3A should be toured and used as a lobbying tool for bringing sweeping changes to laws that regulate the recovery of these planes. Of course by then, I would hope such changes will have already taken place.
The plane is essentially identical to the Vought / Goodyear variants so nothing priceless will be lost in its return to flight condition IMO. The only difference between it and its Vought counterparts would be the possibility of some substandard construction work (as per the rumors of Brewster's reputation as a second rate manufacturer). It would be interesting to determine if any of the old anecdotes hold water. Conditions such as that would hopefully be corrected anyway if the plane is to fly again. Maybe Lex could tell us if he has found anything notable during his inspections of the airframe.
I figure the majority of the intrinsic value resides in the simple fact that he's beginning with a Brewster product rather than an FG or F4U. All are essentially identical, save for the factory assigned designation and the data plates.
One of my great warbird wishes is to see this plane fly again one day, if only to complete the victory against the corrosive mentality that otherwise would have seen the plane languish. Upon its completion, the F3A should be toured and used as a lobbying tool for bringing sweeping changes to laws that regulate the recovery of these planes. Of course by then, I would hope such changes will have already taken place.
Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:46 pm
And the point is?????John Beyl wrote:Caution....not everything in that photo is Brewster built Corsair.......