BRING BACK N90285 TO ITS ORGINAL STARTING PLACE

ONE-TOE-GONE · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:07 pm **Posts:** 1

I live in Provo, Utah and the F4u-1 that now has the "N" # of N90285 started out as a war memorial in Provo in 1943. I'm in the process of digging up ols photos and articals of this old bird. A group of us would like to see her come back home. Hopefully she can be made to fly again too, but at the very least, we'd like to bring back our "memorial" to Provo.
I'm very interseted in finding out any and all info about this bird! Please Help! Thanks! -Reed-

vanguard · **Joined:** Sat Apr 16, 2005 3:00 am **Posts:** 114

You may need to do a bit more research. The N # you have quoted
is a WEATHERLY AVIATION crop duster in SD.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2005 11:12 pm

This is the F4U-1 restored by Harry Doan that is now on display
in San Carlos, Brazil. When the a/c went to NZ the N number was reassigned.

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:38 am

According to the book, Wanaka Warbirds by Gerard S. Morris and Warren P. Russell, the aircraft served in the training role, notching up 776 hours.

It was then struck off charge and presented to the town of Proud, Utah [sic, is that a typo or did your town change its name?] as a reward for their efforts in raising war bonds.

This to me seems completely illogical - you do so well raising money for the war effort, halfway through the war they take a servicable fighter out of the air and give it to a town as a memorial? Crazy... one with so few hours would have gone on for a lot longer in RNZAF service that's for sure.

It remained with the town till 1967, during which time apparently the townsfolk argued about how it should be displayed and about costs in keeping it.

It was then sold to an owner in Florida who rebuilt it over 15 years, it flew again in 1981. It was damaged in 1983 when it crashed into marshland, and was rebuilt again. It flew again in 1989, and then was sold on twice.

The Alpine Fighter Collection bought it in Feb 1991, when it only had 931 hours on the clock.

It performed here at airshows for several years before being sold to a museum in Santiago, where it was sadly grounded. It was the oldest flyable Corsair in the world.

It was nice to have it here for a short time in it's interesting life. And nice for Santiago to also have a representative Corsair for its people to view too. But if it does go back to Provo, or Proud, or wherever, please do get it flying again. It is a really awesome beast, and many of us Kiwis have fond memories of it. I guess if it were not for your town's involvement we'd never have had it here either. Good luck.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:52 am

Quote:

It was the oldest flyable Corsair in the world.

This a/c B/N 17995 is not the oldest airworthy Corsair the POF's
B/N 17799 is. Since it has been grounded for a number of years now, it may actually be non-airworthy.
Ross Jovitt's 10508 is the oldest but is nowhere near airworthy.

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:32 am

Interesting. The AFC certainly claimed it was the oldest. It's still on their site as such even now.
http://www.nzfpm.co.nz/former/f4u1.htm

Is the Planes of Fame Corsair also a birdcage type?

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

Santiago in in Chile
San Carlos is in Brazil.

Another case of "they all look the same to me?" : ) [IT IS A JOKE, OK?]

Saludos,

Tulio

Eureka181 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:27 pm **Posts:** 182

Jack Cook wrote:

Quote:

It was the oldest flyable Corsair in the world.

This a/c B/N 17995 is not the oldest airworthy Corsair the POF's
B/N 17799 is. Since it has been grounded for a number of years now, it may actually be non-airworthy.
Ross Jovitt's 10508 is the oldest but is nowhere near airworthy.

POF Corsair is not grounded. I saw it at an airshow a few months ago.

Eric

Dave Homewood · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2005 8:55 am

Oh, the Corasair's in San Carlos?

It was all kept hush hush where it went to when it was sold. So I never really came to grips with where it went. I knew it was somewhere in South America, where I'd never see it again...

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

Tulio wrote:

Santiago in in Chile
San Carlos is in Brazil.

Recently moved to Santicarlos Chazil I hear... :lol:

POF Corsair was a birdcage until it overturned in service and was rebuilt by Vought (during the war) with the later canopy arrangement.

It depends on the meaning of the word "it." I think the "it" referred to was the "it" in Santicarlos, not the "it" that typically resides in Chino.

Clear enough?

wendovertom · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:36 pm

Gad - how sad that Provo city lost this plane over an arguement on how to pay for the upkeep on it! Especially when these days you can find warbirds (jets anyway) all over the country in very dissappointing condition. alas. . . .

Tom P.
www.wendoverairbase.com

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2005 1:51 pm

Quote:

POF Corsair is not grounded. I saw it at an airshow a few months ago.

I know that. I was referring to the other in Brazil.
BTW the POF corsair has the worst tri-color paint job I've ever seen. YUK!

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

"Gad - how sad that Provo city lost this plane over an arguement on how to pay for the upkeep on it! Especially when these days you can find warbirds (jets anyway) all over the country in very dissappointing condition. alas. . . ."

. . . Memphis, TN?

Saludos,

Tulio

wendovertom · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:55 pm

Tulio,

my sentiments exactly :wink:

!!

Of course sometimes I have to remember on this web board we are pretty much of like mind in regard to these treasures - I had on County Commissioner here that didn't know the history behind the airfield in Wendover! How could they be expected to support a national treasure they didn't know about. Oh well - they know now

Tom P.

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BRING BACK N90285 TO ITS ORGINAL STARTING PLACE

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