Pacific Warbirds Museum, San Francisco - circa 1970's?

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:22 am

Do any of you old timers or upper West Coasters recall this museum (or a private owner that might have operated under this name) located in the San Francisco area? The official address was in Half Moon Bay, located along the coast just south of San Francisco, but the supposed collection could have been based anywhere in that general vicinity. This operation owned what I believe was a non-airworthy Corsair project from 1973 to about 1977. Any clues would be much appreciated!

Mike R. · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:21 pm

Rob- I grew up in Half Moon Bay across from the airport and helped out at West Coast Aviation during the early 80's. During the late 70's and early 80's, John Herlihy had his Bearcat and Mustang in the hanger with a Sea Fury and an airworthy Corsair at one point. From what I recall the Corsair was in non U.S. markings. The company was C-VU Airmotive. A T-6 was also in the hanger owned by someone with the last name Reid. I'll see if I can find some old pictures. Hope this helps. Mike

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:14 pm

That's got to be the guy Mike.

I'd absolutely love to see photos of that plane if you have them! Herlihy doesn't ring a bell, but I'll do a search and see what I can find out about him. Thanks

AirJimL2 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:03 pm

Wasn't F4U-7 N1337A rebuilt at Half Moon Bay in the mid 70s? It also carried non-US markings when finished.

Jim

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:18 am

You're right Jim. There should have been two Corsairs present for that rebuild. There was also an ex-Bob Bean F4U-4 that was hauled up from the Arizona desert to serve as a parts source. I found a single photo of the F4U-7 sitting on the tarmac in bare metal, and there's also the barely visible left wingtip of what is unmistakably a second F4U sitting alongside it.

Hopefully Mike can find some photographic evidence of this second plane in his scrapbooks.

Mike R. · **Posted:** Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:42 am

Rob - This may help some. If the picture of the bare metal F4U-7 (N1337A /Bu# 133722) is the one in the registry, then I'm certain the picture was not taken at Half Moon Bay. I'm still looking for any pictures I may have. Mike

Mike R. · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:20 am

Rob - This is all I have so far. I'm looking thru slides now. Old Half Moon Bay Review clip.

Mike

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:00 am

Excellent Mike

I think the presence of the second Corsair can be concluded from that statement. Man, I'd love to see a high-res version of the F4U-7 banking low over that field! What an excellent shot.

Thanks for taking the time to dig for this stuff. Wish I could have been there back in the mid-70's with ya to see it first hand.

Mike R. · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:50 pm

Rob - Some other pictures I found that are 1980's "West Coast". The first two are Madera 1985, the Blue Max was Reno 1983. Sorry no Half Moon Bay Corsairs...Yet. Mike

Tom N · **Posted:** Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:39 am

I think Gary Harris owned the Corsair that was exported to France; the Sea Fury is the one still owned and operated by Ellsworth Getchell which is now based in Hollister. The California Warbirds BT-13, T-6 and P-51 were based there in the '70s as well.

Yak 11 Fan · **Posted:** Sun Feb 26, 2006 4:52 pm

I have many fond memories of the F4U-7 whilst it was based in the UK, beautiful machine.

Swiss Mustangs · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:13 am

Hi folks

that P-51D is now based in The Netherlands and flies as "D@mn Yankee" - it recently was re-registered to PH-PSI

http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/re ... 74425.html

Martin

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Pacific Warbirds Museum, San Francisco - circa 1970's?

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