Grumman F6F Hellcat found in Barn (1954) ...

[Mark Allen M]

I wasn't going to add the date in the thread title, but then reconsidered as to not cause a panic!

Looks like someone decided to try to hide a Hellcat in a barn, but found out the barn was too small. (my theory lol)
F6F crash into barn NAAS Chincoteague 1954










The Naval Aviation Ordnance Test Station (NAOTS) was a United States Navy base located at 37°55′N 75°22′W, near Chincoteague, VA, that was used as a suborbital launch site. In 1955, research rockets of the Rockair type were launched from F2H-2 planes based there. An altitude of 54,864 m (180,000 ft) was reached with a 70mm (2.75-in.) folded-fin aerial rocket (FFAR) of Korean vintage. In spite of successful tests, the rockair concept never achieved the popularity of the rockoon. Apparently no important scientific rocket research was carried out with rockaires, in contrast to the hundreds of rockoons fired during the 1950s.[1]

In 1959, NASA acquired NAOTS and parts of the station were incorporated into the Wallops Island facility, later named Wallops Flight Facility.

[C VEICH]

That is a -5k drone Hellcat, no doubt painted bright red. Man how I wish these pics were in color! I built an r/c model of a Chincoteague based F6F-5K a few years back. Couldn't bring myself to put the gangly extended and fixed tail wheel on it though!

Attachments

[Lon Moer]

drones

[JohnB]

A Hellcat drone reminds me of the infamous "Battle of Palmdale".

[Pogo]

"...Hellcat found in Barn..."

When I saw the pix I spit beer on my monitor. I hope you're very satisfied with yourself, Mr. Mark Allen.

[Michel Lemieux]

Mark....as always! thank you!!!!

Any takes on the back dent in the right wing!!!!????

[airnutz]

Any takes on the back dent in the right wing!!!!????

Looks like he caught the corner post of a fence. If it had been about a foot and a half shorter he might have avoided ripping the wing...

Yup, another great post Mark!!

[JOMiller]

Years ago I was told a story about a Hellcat owned by a man named Compton.
(Don't remember a first name.) Something was buggered up on it. He nosed
it into a barn until he could fix it. Age and health caught up with him. The
bird was sold some years ago. These photos sure look like what it could ne.

Owen

[Warbirdnerd]

Years ago I was told a story about a Hellcat owned by a man named Compton.
(Don't remember a first name.) Something was buggered up on it. He nosed
it into a barn until he could fix it. Age and health caught up with him. The
bird was sold some years ago. These photos sure look like what it could ne.

Owen

It is this one Owen-
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f6fregis ... 08825.html

[JOMiller]

Hey, thanks form the info. Nice to have a good ending !

[Jim MacDonald]

Isn't Bill Compton's F6F being restored for Allied Fighters?

Mac

[Lon Moer]

Isn't Bill Compton's F6F being restored for Allied Fighters?

Mac

Yes, for owner Jack Croul.

[Jim MacDonald]

Thanks for the answer, Lon. Wonder why they only have Dottie Mae info on their Facebook page.

Mac