A new hobby started for the new year ...

[Jeremy S]

I collect WWII era War Department manuals, many of them are for aircraft. I seldom buy these online but mostly find them at various flea markets, used book stores, and swap meets. Its a fun way to own a piece of history and not spend a lot of money. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt just as much as owning them.

I couldn't tell you why I started collecting these manuals. I probably bought one somewhere cheap and thought it was pretty cool. I now own probably close to 50 manuals/books published by the Army and Navy.

I found this for $4 last month at an antique shop. A little newer than WWII but still extremely interesting to look through.




Good luck with your new hobby! I'll let you know if I see any Corsair parts for sale

[Michel Lemieux]

Mark......

I'm thinking of collecting Corsair parts. Why? Because I ain't getting any younger

Plz share ...Am 48.....

But I only wish I had only the 1/10 of the online energy you have....hehe.....

Michel

[sdennison]

So Mark, to be officially correct, I think you need to prove yourself in lesser aircraft prior to being able to collect the parts of a major warbird. You know, just as in the day, there were trainers before you could fly the Corsair. So I propose you buy my NOS BT-13 rear canopy section to prove you have the necessary qualifications to step up to the Corsair parts.

[DH82EH]

Jeez Scott,
That's not from a BT-13.
That's from a birdcage Corsair!
Must be worth a hundred grand or so.

Andy

[sdennison]

Jeez Scott,
That's not from a BT-13.
That's from a birdcage Corsair!
Must be worth a hundred grand or so.

Andy

Crap...Yeah...that's right. A very very rare one too...yeah that's the ticket. Meet my wife...uh ...Morgan Fairchild, yeah..

[robkamm]

I think its great. collect what makes you happy. ive been collecting engines and things for years. its a slow but fun process. traveling all over the place and meeting fellow collectors is great.

[Mark Allen M]

The hunt is fun as well. I have two instrument panel gauges now I was kindly offered by a "Corsair" guy
Have to say, there seems to be plenty out there if someone really wants something. Probably no surprise to many here. I'm also seeing stuff that people claim to be Corsair parts but even I can tell their probably not authentic Corsair parts. The more knowledgeable people here would be able to tell right away I would assume. Also I'm under the assumption that many standard cockpit items were used on several different types of aircraft, like the instrument gauges? Also looking at an FG-1D tail wheel assembly with hook, but by the size of the whole thing it may be a bit too big for what I have an interest in. But ya never know. I would assume many here who collect warbird parts can attest that it sometimes can be difficult to reel yourself in from going too far in acquiring parts. Addictions can be a b*tch ... lol

Fun stuff indeed.

[zorro9]

Mark:

Good Day!

Congratulations on your new hobby! I began c.'77 with one of these. MB F4U-5N (minus the radome)! Have fun!!

[JohnB]

Jeremy S
That's for posting that!

As a kid I had one of those. It eventually got pretty well used up. But when my uncle died (the CG-4A pilot I've mentioned here before) dies, he left me a pristine copy of the book. It's a slightly later edition than yours, it has a B-47 on the cover and is dated April, 1955 and titled "aircraft recognition for the ground observer" (no caps).

Most people, even aviation buffs, have never heard of the GOC...and the book is filled with pages of neat aircraft shots.
Among them...a drawing of a pre-production T-37, the Boeing 367-80, and early C-130 w/o the radar nose.

[Jeremy S]

Jeremy S
That's for posting that!

As a kid I had one of those. It eventually got pretty well used up. But when my uncle died (the CG-4A pilot I've mentioned here before) dies, he left me a pristine copy of the book. It's a slightly later edition than yours, it has a B-47 on the cover and is dated April, 1955 and titled "aircraft recognition for the ground observer" (no caps).

Most people, even aviation buffs, have never heard of the GOC...and the book is filled with pages of neat aircraft shots.
Among them...a drawing of a pre-production T-37, the Boeing 367-80, and early C-130 w/o the radar nose.

Not to hijack Mark's thread, but you can still find great copies of Ground Observers Guide, AF Manual 50-12, on eBay for less than $15 shipped. Its a must have for all warbird enthusiasts

[Mark Allen M]

Hey Jeremy, no hijack at all, in fact I like your path to collecting some neat stuff there. I'm open to all ideas.

And Scott, you better be prepared to take on any sort of 'restoration' task I may need with whatever I end up finding that needs your expert workmanship.

Nice looking deal you posted btw.