Warbird Information Exchange

I know the San Diego Aerospace Museum did a beautiful job repairing the former USS Alabama F4U-7 and in the process, they converted it to an AU-1, correct cowl and all.

Wasn't there another Corsair that was said to be under conversion to an AU-1? Or is this that plane? I really wish someone would put one of the -7s back into Aeronavale colors with the yellow stripes...such a great looking livery.

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I'm looking for that buried Corsair(s) that I can dig up, pressure wash, and fly!

When SDAM did the conversion, did they locate an AU-1 cowl, or custom fab it? I ask because there weren't a ton of AU-1s converted and I would think there's only a few cowls left and so you'd have to fab a new one, and that ain't cheap.

I’m honestly not sure how they came up with the cowling. Maybe someone here can chime in? When it was in Alabama, it was just painted as an AU-1. The true “conversion” tool place after all the damage occurred. All I remember seeing at the time were pictures of it disassembled followed by it mostly together again and awaiting paint/ final assembly. Given that the folks in San Diego have scratch-built full-scale, authentic reproductions of both a Gee Bee R1 and a P-26, I think they probably have the capability to do the cowl, not that it would be easy by any means! Here are some photos of the San Diego plane under restoration.

http://www.zone-five.net/showthread.php?t=17301

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I'm looking for that buried Corsair(s) that I can dig up, pressure wash, and fly!

February 7th post from https://www.facebook.com/FlyingColorsAviation/

I'm not a fan of glossy, but that looks spectacular.

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Cheers, Zac in NZ

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid

Correct me if I'm wrong, the AU-1 is a re-designation of the -6 yes? There aren't any -6's anywhere are there? How close is the -7 to the -6 and what's with all this "cowling" stuff? Can anyone post some pictures for comparison? Either way I think it's AWESOME to see something different on the circuit and a -7 to boot!

My understanding is that an AU-1 cowling will be installed if one is located.

I think it looks great! It's so cool to have such a different scheme on a flying Corsair.

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Matt

You are correct, there were no F4U-6's produced. IIRC there wasn't funding for another "fighter" (F4U-6), but there was funding for another "attack" aircraft (AU-1) or something along those lines.

F4U-5, Bulged cheeks with inlets


AU-1, bulged cheeks without inlets


F4U-7, bulged cheeks with a chin scoop

The -7 that was based in Oakland, CA '83 is now in Madras, OR it has been thru several owners since it left Oakland. It has French scheme when there.

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That was when it was owned by Gary Harris.
I also have pictures of it in the barn at Half Moon Bay airport.

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remember the Oogahonk!

old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

Don’t sweat the shiny paint. The original mil spec alkyd enamel would have an additive if semi gloss or flat finish was desired. Often this wasn’t added. If you set that type of paint outside, within months it fades to semi gloss. Wait a year and it turns flat.
It’s really not a big deal. Also remember those lights in the paint shop are exceptionally bright so they can check for imperfections. It will look perfect on the flight line.

WOW! Love that paint scheme! Huge thanks going out to the owner

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Earn my respect and never lose it.
Demand my respect and never gain it. -Me

...just another plane dreamer.

I'm definitely not, it looks fantastic! But thanks for the information: I know very little about paint and finishes. It's interesting to learn these things.

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Cheers, Zac in NZ

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid

Great scheme and that AU-1..

Saw a post on Facebook either through the WIX group or my direct feed that they've done the first engine run on the AU-1 and it sounded great as expected.