Hellcat Photos

[John Kerr]

John - I thought the F6F at Blackshadow is done as Flatley's
bird and is displayed on the hanger deck of the YKTN. It was
done for NMNA but displayed at Patriot's Point I believe.

Owen it is on display at the Yorktown, and yes it was done for NMNA, but like most USN aircraft on display in the US, they are still owned by the NMNA.

[HELLDIVERS]

Hi;

What about the f6fs in Uruguay? Several were listed in Warbirds Worldwide were they scrapped? Does anyone have photos of Mike Mcdonalds/ Jim Frys collection? How much of one does Michael Couchs[sp] still own? Will Bill Comptons F6F fly again? I would love to have the scraps after the rebuild. Ive heared Jim Frys collection is now in West Virginia does anybody know? Photos? Are there any other projects/ parts collections out there? How about wrecks sights? The Hellcat population has the chace to double if any of this stuff gets into the right hands. I'm currently thinking of building 5 or 6 complete or kits from scratch any takers? How many are still hidding out in the weeds? If any of this intrests you contact me. Thanks Mike

[cg51]

If the Navy ever lightens up on ownership rights there are alot of F6F's,F4F's,Fm-2's TBM's and SBD's in lake Michigan just waiting to be recovered. If the Navy doesn't want to cough up the titles to these wrecks with out a battle at least get them out of the lake, there condition is going down hill by the day!

[HELLDIVERS]

Hi;

I think one F6F has been located in the lake and a bird cage Corsair. Yes the Navys policy is all about destruction with no thought of preservation I know of 2 on Yap island both off the Enterprise the Navys reply if you recover it we will arrest you no if ands or butts.

Thanks Mike

[cg51]

The was an article in the paper that said that A&T Recovery here in Chicago has the coordinates of over 100 aircraft, the navy said they estimate almost 200 airplane were in the lake, around 30-35 have been recovered. A&T also found the only know SB2U Vindicator in existence. This is all from the article in the paper.

[O.P.]

How much of one does Michael Couchs[sp] still own? Will Bill Comptons F6F fly again?

Hi Mike!

I talked to Mrs Coutches a couple of years ago and she said that the Hellcat was sold to someone back east, east of California anyway, and she thought it was flying again.

I think the Compton Hellcat went to Hawaii for the new museum, I got the impression that nothing in that museum will fly again from what has been posted here.

[Mike]

I talked to Mrs Coutches a couple of years ago and she said that the Hellcat was sold to someone back east, east of California anyway, and she thought it was flying again.

That's now the 2-seater with Waltrip / Lone Star.

[Warbirdnerd]

I talked to Mrs Coutches a couple of years ago and she said that the Hellcat was sold to someone back east, east of California anyway, and she thought it was flying again.

That's now the 2-seater with Waltrip / Lone Star.

Mr Coutches owns/owned parts of two Hellcats. I think Mike Rawson is inquiring about Bu94385...

[HELLDIVERS]

Hi;

The Compton Hellcat has sold?

I think the Compton Hellcat went to Hawaii for the new museum, I got the impression that nothing in that museum will fly again from what has been posted here

Anyone have a conformation on this? What about Mike Coutches F6F? Any photos? I think Mike Rawson is inquiring about Bu94385...


Thanks Mike

[Jack Cook]

The Compton Hellcat has sold?

No, That was John Dimmer's F4F-3.
At last I heard Bill had serious offers from MOF and a
another mid-west rebuilder.

[O.P.]

The Compton Hellcat has sold?

No, That was John Dimmer's F4F-3.
At last I heard Bill had serious offers from MOF and a
another mid-west rebuilder.

Oh, I thought the "Canby" hellcat was the one that went to Hawaii, I must have got it mixed up.

[Mike]

The Compton Hellcat has sold?

No, That was John Dimmer's F4F-3.

Now I'm really confused

Bill Compton's F6F-3 b/n 08825 will be going to the new museum at Pearl Harbor. It will be rebuilt here being being transfered to Hawaii. This airplane was flown by LT Jim Ritchie of VF-37 on the escort carrier Sagamon who downed 2 planes while flying it. Would have been nice to have seen her fly again.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=8384

[Jack Cook]

My informant got the F4 and the F6 confused

[Mike]

So which is the one which either Tony Raftis or Tom Blair (I can't remember which) is reported to have bought?

It was reported to me as a rebuildable, crashed airframe.

Rob Rohr commented on an earlier thread that it was one 'stolen' from a crash site.

Rumours of an F6F 'in pieces' being sold recently.

Could this be the one?

No Mike another that was stolen from a crash site in the late 70s

RER

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=6965

[HELLDIVERS]

Hi;

Has it sold ? I would trade my labor for the left overs.

At last I heard Bill had serious offers from MOF and a
another mid-west rebuilder.

Would they be in North Dakota?

Thanks Mike