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Post by baz62 on Feb 3, 2023 17:18:38 GMT 12
I was astouned to hear there is a man with a mission here in NZ to restore F4U-1D NZ5245 to fly. Has the rear fuselage and is getting on with it. The words "she's a big job" come to mind! Dave I understand you found a photo of this very Corsair in a pilots logbook. www.facebook.com/groups/869155764394810/
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Post by ZacYates on Feb 3, 2023 20:00:20 GMT 12
I was astouned to hear there is a man with a mission here in NZ to restore F4U-1D NZ5245 to fly. Followed, and time to update my list! What wonderful news!
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chrism
Squadron Leader
 
Posts: 116
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Post by chrism on Feb 3, 2023 20:36:45 GMT 12
Great project alright! It's an F4U-1A I believe.
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Post by camtech on Feb 3, 2023 20:48:00 GMT 12
Now let's not start that "1A" argument again. Besides, it is a 1D.
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chrism
Squadron Leader
 
Posts: 116
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Post by chrism on Feb 3, 2023 21:00:34 GMT 12
Now let's not start that "1A" argument again. Besides, it is a 1D. Hi camtech. Would you mind rechecking the designation you have? Several sites list it as a -1 or -1A. BuAer 56429. And sorry about the -1A but if it was good enough for Vought, NACA and the US Navy in 1943 it's good enough for me 😁
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 3, 2023 21:25:30 GMT 12
I have been following Mike's Corsair project for a while, and have visited his workshop, back when it was still secret. It will be a MASSIVE mission but Mike is very keen, has the skills and is young enough to have the years in him to make it happen.
A lot of original parts and structure that forms the basis of the restoration came from my late Uncle's farm. I thought all the Corsair stuff Uncle John had back in the day had gone to the Wigram Museum in the 1990's, but it turns out there was still a lot left there and thankfully my cousin Colin kept it safe up till the point he donated it to Mike's project.
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Post by komata on Feb 4, 2023 8:09:32 GMT 12
Would NZ5245 be the former 'Walsh' aircraft from Cambridge?
Thank you.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2023 10:47:45 GMT 12
Would NZ5245 be the former 'Walsh' aircraft from Cambridge? Thank you. No, that was NZ5644.
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Post by camtech on Feb 4, 2023 11:31:26 GMT 12
Pacific Corsair, page 9, is my answer to the 1A. I do note that Baugher uses the -1A version. My bad on 5245 - it is indeed a -1.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Feb 4, 2023 14:46:09 GMT 12
Great news! In light of that, shouldn't there be a separate thread for NZ5245?
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Post by Antonio on Feb 4, 2023 15:08:03 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2023 15:48:18 GMT 12
I do not know who Joe Baugher is, other than I see the occasional mention of his name regarding US aircraft history, but why do you assume he has the designation correct when so many get it wrong?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2023 15:50:24 GMT 12
Great news! In light of that, shouldn't there be a separate thread for NZ5245? In order to not swamp the NZ5648 thread with any more posts about NZ5245, I have made this new thread for the latter and moved all the posts here.
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chrism
Squadron Leader
 
Posts: 116
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Post by chrism on Feb 4, 2023 16:02:00 GMT 12
This is my take on the -1A designation after a bit of research and being privy to an in depth discussion between Chuck Wahl and Chris Fahey, 2 big names in F4U history.
It was never "official". As in the government through the bureau of aeronautics never issued a contract, data plates or pilots notes etc with the -1A designation. They were simply designated -1. The RNZAF most likely never used or never heard of the -1A designation during the war.
However through Dana Bell's research for his recent books he discovered that the government did allow the -1A designation to be used internally by Vought during WW2. The -1A designation is all over Vought drawings and blue prints from 1943, all available on Aircorp Aviations excellent library. I also have NACA and US Navy test reports dated late 1943 using the -1A designation.
So my opinion is that it was never "official". But it was used. Clear as mud!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2023 16:04:14 GMT 12
Never used by the RNZAF so is an F4U-1.
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chrism
Squadron Leader
 
Posts: 116
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Post by chrism on Feb 4, 2023 16:37:03 GMT 12
Never used by the RNZAF so is an F4U-1. I have no primary sources either way about RNZAF knowledge or use of it but it is unlikely. Either way, right or wrong, 99% of books etc use -1A and the use of it gives clear distinction between it and the birdcage -1. Although in the RNZAF's case we never had birdcage examples to confuse the issue.
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Post by l29 on Feb 4, 2023 17:19:04 GMT 12
All this talk is useless without pictures....
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 4, 2023 17:34:06 GMT 12
I am just glad we have a new thread to follow and a new restoration being undertaken no matter how long it takes.
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Post by Antonio on Feb 4, 2023 17:55:28 GMT 12
I do not know who Joe Baugher is, other than I see the occasional mention of his name regarding US aircraft history, but why do you assume he has the designation correct when so many get it wrong? Joe Baugher's Aircraft Serial Number Search site is the go-to in US military aircraft data. Home page link: users.rcn.com/jeremy.k/serialSearch.htmlI didn't assume he has the designation correct, I only included the link for completeness. Like I said, I am a -1 fan
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Post by ZacYates on Feb 5, 2023 15:48:53 GMT 12
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