Story on a Crate F4U?

[Nathan]

A few years ago I heard a rumor that a brand new Corsair, still in its crate was found in a barn. Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks,
Nate

[RMAllnutt]

Stuff of fancy I should think. The only corsair I know of that came out of the blue was the FG-1A, now at the new Marine Corps Museum, which, so the legend goes, was found in the rafters of the Goodyear Air Dock in Akron many years ago. Apparently it had been put up there for storage after being on display in the "Goodyear World of Rubber" exhibition, and then forgotten about for many years. Can't think of any other complete corsairs which have suddenly appeared.

However, I was told by a close friend of mine at NASM that several corsairs and a couple of mustangs have been located at a scrap yard in El Salvador. They are probably very bashed about. They are deep in a very dangerous section of the country though, which is why they haven't re-appeared yet. However, there were about 5 new corsairs and 3 mustangs placed on the US registry very recently, and these could relate to the aircraft I have just mentioned. Perhaps they have already been recovered? Anyone out there know anything of this nature?

Cheers,
Richard

[AirJimL2]

What about F2G BuNo. 88454? Wasn't it found in a crate in the late 60s early 70s?

Jim

[Jack Cook]

What about F2G BuNo. 88454? Wasn't it found in a crate in the late 60s early 70s?

It was put in a air tight storage container by the Navy at Norfolk then forgotten about. This was about 1976 when it was found I believe Doug Champlin made a trade for it using the former Wright/Tillman A-24. When they came to get it, it was gone but eventually found onboard the USS Intrepid has a disply during the bi-centenial celebration. It's amazing that I can remember all this but forgot to take the trash out this week??

[RMAllnutt]

You're right... I forgot about that one. Walt Ohlerich was very influential in saving that aircraft. I seem to remember they were going to burn it for fire practise or some such thing.

Cheers. Richard

[Jerry O'Neill]

Actually,
The New England Air Museum was offered both the Norfolk F2G and the XF4U-4 in the mid 1960's. Both were in the storage containers in Norfolk, and the Museum at that time decided that they would rather have only the Vought built example, so they passed on the F2G, only aquiring the XF4U-4 for display. Walt later was involved in the F2G.
Jerry

[Nathan]

Im pretty sure this was a different plane. As I recall they said it was found out in the upper Midwest.....Montana? It was found in an unused barn/shed.