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Post by chrism on Jan 28, 2023 17:28:37 GMT 12
The step cutout in the wing flap was standard for all 1D Corsairs onwards and some 1A's. Not sure exactly when it was introduced? I've heard the wings cut for racing story from several people too. I believe the FAA removed the wingtip and replaced it with an end cap? Apparently 5648's wings have been roughly cut and then faired over? As I understand it the wingtips are not a seperate item on Corsair wings.(Unlike wing tips on Spitfires,Harvards etc which can be unbolted) So for the FAA wing they were built that way. Whereas NZ5648 had the tips modified to clipped style, just not identical to FFA profile. Hmm I had read that the wing tips were removed and short tips added and assumed they were derivited or unbolted but you are correct, they weren't detachable at all. The article below states that they did in fact attack the wings with a hacksaw! Always learning, cheers. FAA WINGTIPS "The second style wingtip was called the "short" wingtip. It was standardized at the factory on JT425 and subsequent Mark IIs, and on JS543 and subsequent Mark IIIs. It was also retrofitted to nearly all surviving earlier aircraft. Interestingly, one of the discussions noted above involved some joking about using a hacksaw to remove the original wingtip, but that was exactly what the factory instructions called for. The fabric (which ran all the way to the wingtip) was softened with dope thinner, cut, and peeled back so the wing spar and ribs could be cut back with a hacksaw. An Andover Kent fiberglass wingtip was then fitted into place, the fabric was brought back to the edge, trimmed, stitched, redoped, and covered with enamel camouflage paint. The newer generation of British aircraft carriers had even shorter hangar decks than the older carriers, so Corsairs with short wingtips still wouldn't fit. This led to the "short short" wingtips , which removed the earlier short tips (or any surviving USN tips) and fitted a new Andover Kent fiberglass unit. This was retrofitted to most surviving Mark IIs and Mark IIIs, but apparently not to Mark Is. All Mark IVs were delivered with the short short tips." |
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Post by camtech on Jan 29, 2023 11:57:05 GMT 12
At the end of the day, I am far more inclined to believe that Josephine was, in fact, originally BuNo 92044, c/n 3305.
As shown above, BuNo 88391 does not seem to have any links to the RNZAF. The fact that NZ5648's original engine number, P32823, has been used as a constructor's no for civil registration also points to 92044 being the correct BuNo.
I've emailed Joe Baugher for a comment, but no response as yet. Geoff Goodall, I believe, has followed the errors perpetuated in the US. Perhaps someone has used another dataplate to replace a missing? original plate.
Can anyone prove otherwise?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2023 18:57:43 GMT 12
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Post by camtech on Jan 29, 2023 19:06:28 GMT 12
Great article, Dave.
But I will still dispute the origin quoted - ie 88391.
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 4, 2023 8:56:57 GMT 12
"Big Hog".......fond remembrances there at Stockton in California when we were testing the Ventura. It came in for fuel and we were about to undertake another test so.....we formated for a while. First time I had seen a Corsair. There was another connection as our "flight engineer" on the B-25 we rebuilt and flew from Stockton (same hangar) to Australia in 1983 had worked on the Corsair when he was based in Seattle
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2023 11:01:22 GMT 12
First time I had seen a Corsair. The first time I had ever seen a Corsair was a hot Friday afternoon, beer o'clock, in 1991 at Wigram. We'd just finished work and had arrived at the Airman's Club for a quenching beer, when one of the guys, Andy, said "There is a Corsair arriving in a few minutes." We piled out onto the road in front of the club in time to see ZK-FUI "NZ5201" come barreling in at low level and curve over the airfield just over the height of the hangars. That sound! It reverberated round the hangars and buildings. My god, we all felt like that boy in Empire of the Sun at that moment! It was just wow! I'd grown up hearing stories of Corsairs at Ardmore from my Dad and Nana who lived across the road from the station during the war. Dad truly loved the Corsair and now I saw why. The pilot that day was Keith Skilling, whom I'd seen leading the Roaring Forties the year before but at that time I knew little more about. He instantly became a hero seeing him beat up Wigram like that and creating a lasting impression on my young mind of how awesome Corsairs are. Since then I have watch him flying the Corsair display many times over the years, and I am proud to call him a good friend too. The beer tasted extra good after we retreated from that hot roadway ack into the club. That day remains right up there with the days I first saw when I first saw a Spitfire fly - Stephen Grey in TB863 at Woodbourne in 1989; a P-40 - Mark Hanna in P-40K ZK-PXL at Wanaka in 1992; and a Mossie fly - Keith and Dave at Ardmore in 2012. Indelible memories. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2023 15:51:49 GMT 12
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tlinz
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by tlinz on Apr 18, 2023 15:30:46 GMT 12
Greetings all! I thought this would be of some interest to the members of this forum. I work for a warbird restoration outfit in the US. My employer purchased both side cowlings of a Corsair (one has since been re-sold) in NZ from Mr. Ross Jowett back in the early 90s. Currently on display in our hangar. We weren’t aware of the intriguing story of Josephine until I came across this forum thread.   |
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Post by baz62 on Apr 18, 2023 16:50:52 GMT 12
Greetings all! I thought this would be of some interest to the members of this forum. You thought right! What a cool bit of RNZAF history, and to this Corsair in particular. Thanks for sharing. Do you know if that's how it came off or has it been retouched or repainted as it looks pretty good. |
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tlinz
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by tlinz on Apr 19, 2023 1:39:09 GMT 12
Paint is as found. Not sure of the era. Do you know if that's how it came off or has it been retouched or repainted as it looks pretty good. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 19, 2023 8:17:35 GMT 12
It's really interesting to see that this has survived tlinz, thanks for sharing this.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2023 11:58:03 GMT 12
That is jawdroppingly awesome, thank you so, so very much for sharing!! How wonderful!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2023 22:17:55 GMT 12
Optimistic bump in the hope there's news of a sale?
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Post by camtech on Jul 31, 2023 10:59:58 GMT 12
Good bump, Zac.
No news from me, but still working on the correct identity for this beast.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2023 22:52:30 GMT 12
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Post by aeromuzz on Aug 17, 2023 8:49:05 GMT 12
I saw that post. Does anyone know anything more about it that they can share here? |
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Post by ErrolC on Aug 17, 2023 8:54:14 GMT 12
I saw that post. Does anyone know anything more about it that they can share here? I understand that FB Groups have to be Private for the admins to be able to moderate effectively. So hopefully it is Private for that reason and those concerned are happy for the info to be shared more widely? |
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Post by aeromuzz on Aug 17, 2023 9:00:49 GMT 12
I saw that post. Does anyone know anything more about it that they can share here? I understand that FB Groups have to be Private for the admins to be able to moderate effectively. So hopefully it is Private for that reason and those concerned are happy for the info to be shared more widely? I think you're correct on that which is why I said, "....can share here." I don't want anything said here that shouldn't said publicly. |
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Post by l29 on Aug 17, 2023 12:24:33 GMT 12
Jesus Christ, enough with the bullshit,
The aircraft has been sold, it's remaining here in NZ and it's currently being worked on to have it flying asap.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 17, 2023 13:09:22 GMT 12
Calm down Jared, the language is not necessary. People are simply making sure that no confidences are being breached.
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