Curious Corsair Mystery

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:15 pm

I just recieved a load of history reels from the US Navy and I found an interesting discrepancy. It's well known that FG-1D BuNo.88391 was sent to the RNZAF where it became NZ5648, serving its full term before being returned to the US in the 1970s. This is the ex-Fighter Collection machine that's now made its way back to New Zealand.

Well, I tried to look up its Bureau Number in the Navy history card files just for kicks, and lo & behold there is an entire US Navy WWII history on record for this plane! Now obviously there's no way it could be the same plane, but with the history of "both" aircraft so well documented, it makes me wonder how such a curious thing could happen.

The US Navy history reads: FG-1D BuNo.88391

April 1945 - NAS Columbus
May 1945 - In route to Guam
June 1945 - CASU-11 aircraft pool
July 1945 - VMF-323
August 1945 thru June 1946 - VMF-441
July 1946 - VMF-311
August thru October 1946 - NAS San Diego, CA
November 1946 thru March 1947 - Jacksonville, FL
April 1947 thru May 1948 - NAS Mineapolis
stricken on October 31, 1948

Brett · **Posted:** Mon Jan 10, 2005 1:27 am

Rob,

NZ5648 is recorded as c/n 3205 and Bu92844 in official RNZAF records. Bu92844 does not seem to be a vaild Corsair number, and is way out of sequence with the others. Bu 92044 is more likely, or 92144 as an option.

I don't have Bu88391 in my list of RNZAF serials at all. WW Directory lists Bu88439 as a possible ID, but this doesn't appear on my serial list either.

Best of luck with your investigations!

I expect you meant OFMC rather than TFC...

I'm off to see it fly in a couple of weeks.

Cheers,

Brett

paulmcmillan · **Posted:** Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:41 am

Baugher has NZ5648 is recorded as BOTH Bu88391 (c/n 3205) and Bu92044 (c/n 3305)

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/thirdseries9.html
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/thirdseries10.html

So 92044 is more likely !

I can see where the problem has been caused.. Look at the Construction Numbers!!!!!!

Rob what does your microfilm say about 92044??

Oscar Duck · **Posted:** Mon Jan 10, 2005 4:16 pm

Can you please check on my TBM-3E Bu No 91110 and check its history. Tks..

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:45 pm

That would be Aircraft History Reels #59 and #80 Oscar. As luck would have it, I have 58 / 60, and 79 / 81, but not the ones you need.

If you like, I can forward you the contact info for the Navy Historical Center where you can order the necessary reels. They are $20 each and take about a month to arrive. They make for an excellent study though!

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