Bob Bean F4U Collection

[zorro9]

F4U-4 Folks:

Good day!

Does anyone remembers the name of the AC article on the Moseley Field Warbirds & month/year of issue??

Tks

[Rob Mears]

The Corsair that ultimately went to Howard Pardue (BuNo.97302) had already been sold when the above photo was taken (around late 1977) and was being refurbished on site. Bob Bean was still alive at the time. I understand that BuNo.97142 went to Wally McDonnell in 1978, so it probably left Hereford within a year of the photo. I know that BuNo.97142 was also subject to some limited restorative work on site at Hereford prior to leaving for Mojave. Bean was no doubt still hands on with both planes. I'm not positive exactly when Bob passed away, though that could probably be determined via public records fairly easily.

[RobC]

Rob,

Crap shot or not, that is awesome! Contradicts whatever recollections I have obtained from locals "who should know". When I get back from Reno, I am going to head over and see if I can get a "now" shot for a then and now view. Thanks very much for sharing the photo.

Rob

P.S. Enjoyed your article on the Wildcat. Something about the phrase, "would now require only the ample application of focus, sweat and devotion..." caused me to look and see who wrote that, and turned out it was yours! Nicely done.

[zorro9]

F4U Folks/Rob:

Good day!

Don't know exactly if this pic was taken at Moseley Filed or Hereford AZ but there are at least 2 blue F4Us with engine cowlings as #1 in the Bob Bean F4U inventory. c. 1960s. One of them may be the missing F4U! Photo AEC.

P.s was HP a blue or a gull gray type F4U?? Any pics of it as found??

Last edited by zorro9 on Mon Sep 09, 2013 11:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Rob Mears]

Thanks RobC!

Zorro9, that shot was taken at the Indian School Road location. The blue Corsair in the distant background is BuNo.97349.

The Pardue Corsair (BuNo.97302) was overall Sea Blue with Seattle Reserve markings and #4 on cowling. It also has “7302” on lower tail.

[zorro9]

F4UFolks/Rob:

Good day!

Great info! We're making some progress with the shots locations.

So,... the HU-16s were behind these F4Us sometime c. 1970s at Hereford AZ??

p.s There is an object to the left wingtip of the Beech 18, in your last pic at Hereford, AZ, however, it's diff to make up. Also if you have pics of the blue cowlings F4Us #1 fuselages plz post. Maybe the pilots who flew the H-16s out may emerge with more photos.

Tks!

[zorro9]

F4U Folks:

Good Day!

...found this nice b/w shot of the Bob Bean F4us, Buno ukn for now, c. 1970s . Prob Tucson area. HU-16 in the background #0-17168. Via AEC

Last edited by zorro9 on Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Chappie]

I know Doug Matthews' 97359 was among the Corsairs at this location. What became of the other Corsairs? Did they survive? Don't see many of the grey Corsairs.

Chappie

[davidwomacks]

Wonder if this bird is still there just in the weeds somewhere.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... permPage=1


Never knew they flew them off carriers.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... permPage=1

[jaldo]

Wonder if this bird is still there just in the weeds somewhere.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... permPage=1

The remains of FAH-617 are stored at the air museum in Tegucigalpa.

[zorro9]

F4U Folks:

Good day!

Another sample of the late Bob Bean F4Us captured at Mr. Earl Ware backyard at Jax City, Fla. c.1980s. Photo via AEC.

[Rob Mears]

That's actually FG-1D, BuNo.67089, which now flies with Jeff Clyman's "American Airpower Museum" in New York.