FG-1D Bu 67070 First Flight!!!

[Warbirdnerd]

Great to have another bent wing bird back in the air.
Great work by the chaps and Vintage Fighters!
From:
http://www.bentwings.com/fg1d3/photoset38.htm

First Flight of BuNo 67070
On October 8, 2004 the Vintage Fighters crew gathered with Mr. Osborn and a small group of family and friends for the test flight of BuNo 67070. After the morning fog burned off we pushed the Corsair out and began our final checks before flight. With all the final checks complete Brad Hood took to the runway in BuNo 67070. At 11:50am EDT Brad lifted off. After circling the pattern twice all systems were indicating normal readings. After one last check of engine instruments, Brad retracted the landing gear and continued to circle the field. Everything worked great and after some time checking the feel of the flight controls Brad returned for an uneventful landing. This marked a huge milestone in our project.

[TimAPNY]

GREAT news.

[mrhenniger]

Is that the finaly c/s? Looks great.

Mike

[C170BDan]

No, no, no... I said BLUE with WHITE numbers not WHITE with BLUE numbers!!!

[jaybird]

Although that is probably not the final color (looks like primer under the elevator) , I think that bird looks great just the way it is....so if it is the final color, sweet!

Congrats on the flight! Thanks for the photos.

[corsairboss]

This Corsair will be painted in the VF-17 Jolly Rogers #29 Ira Kepford with the 2 tone blue, and white bottom. The VF-17 logos where painted on by the Crew for fun, and the large "N" numbers had to be applied for inspection, certification, and first flight. The Logos will be sanded off at the paint shop in Canada, and the light gray is just a first coat primer. Brad and the Crew should be very proud of this Great Restoration, and Mr. Osborn has spared no cost or short cuts. This is another great example of the Vought Design Corsair still in the air after 64yrs.

[Tulio]

I know that paint costs money and that this is not my airplane, OK?

But, it would be so nice to see this FG-1D painted in the colors of the Salvadorean Air Force, at least so some air to air photos of it could be shot for posterity.

Just my 2 cents.


Tulio

[RMAllnutt]

I agree Tulio... since they had already painted her in white primer, it wouldn't have taken much to emulate the FAS markings, which would have been a nice tip of the hat to the land which saved her long enough to be valued again. Then they could have sent her up to Goderich for the respray in Ike Kepford's colors. Not our money and time though, but it's ok to wish for it, no?

Richard

[Steve T]

Tulio--

I agree too...seeing as the scheme was halfway duplicated anyway with pale grey primer! (Momentarily I thought, wow, "Lucky Gallon"...but that was #92, not #29...)

However...the central fact is, there's another beautifully-restored Corsair with daylight under its wheels. And that rocks.

S.

[RMAllnutt]

Couldn't agree more Steve... I've been following this one since the beginning. Jerry Zollman was terrific in providing such a detailed website showing the restoration. It's great to see her flying again.... will she tour on the circuit do you think?

Cheers,
Richard