Help identifying year my Corsair was built

[mgeorge51]

Putting together an info card for my F4U-5NL
Bu#124486
N # 494M and I can not find the date it was made.
Anyone know how to find this info
Thanks

[Taigh Ramey]

Hello Mike,

You should start with the aircraft history card available from NASM archives and other sources. Here is a link to the archives history card page:

http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/arch/collections/achistory.cfm

This will give you the manufacture and acceptance date and the different groups in the Navy/Marines that had custody of your Corsair. It will also show when it was stricken from the inventory.

There may be an accident report on your Corsair which could have specific information on the aircraft at the time of the accident. You can try a search at the various accident report services online.

I may have taken 35mm movie film of your Corsair launching from the USS Carl Vincent in 1995 off the coast of Hawaii. I will take a look and if I do I will send you a video of it.

I hope this helps,

Taigh

[F3A-1]

I have also sought that information on the Brewster with no luck yet. The official aircraft history card and crash records were no help other than the acceptance date. The aircraft data plate is blank in the "date of manufacture", as I guess yours is. The manufactures serial number extrapolates to the 119th built by Brewster and all of the data I have states that they built 135 airplanes in 1943. It's acceptance date is early Jan of 1944.

At any rate I suspect that the best information would be with Vought company records. I am sure they will give it a great effort at their end.

http://www.voughtaircraft.com/heritage/

Pirate Lex
http://www.BrewsterCorsair.com

[mgeorge51]

Thanks for the quick help

One of our members faxed me the info today

Just to make anyone jealous.

Today I flew the P-51 Shangra La in the morning. Another hour in the R-44 before lunch. Then ran the Corsair getting ready for first flight after the annual.

And just got out of the backseat of the T-34 checking out my mechanic Tony.

Fun Day

[ltdann]

124486 to Honduras AF as FAH-606. Sold 1979. To civil registry as N49068. Registration N494M taken up Dec 2002.

[bipe215]

Mike said: Just to make anyone jealous.

It worked.

Steve G

[RyanShort1]

Another hour in the R-44 before lunch.

I spent an hour in an R44 today too - detailing the interior. LOL!

Ryan

[jaldo]

Here's a picture while in service with the Honduras Air Force as FAH-606.
Received by FAH in March 1956

[6trn4brn]

mgeorge51...you suck...we hate you...

You lucky dog

[bdk]

You lucky dog

So you give him no credit for financial acumen? Is that true mgeorge51- it is all luck and no hard work?

[mgeorge51]

I am proud to be one of the last guys who is a real enthusiast owner like Bill, Vlado, and Eric meaning that I get my fingernails dirty on my own plane as well as fly it. A lot of the new owners never touch anything outside of the cockpit and a number of them don't even have a pilot's license.

On the P-51 I did all of the wiring in the cockpit myself and I try to help with the annual valve and head bolt work.

Tough to work as much as before with two young kids but I try to get out to the hanger at least every day.

By the way I seriously have 6 jobs and usually work 7 days a week to support my aviation habit. And if it takes 7 to get my next fighter I will do it.

Mark Clark is waiting to hear go.

[6trn4brn]

bdk...so sorry that you could not see the humor in what I said. If you had read what mgeorge wrote a couple of posts up, he stated he was pointing out his flying the various planes to sort of make us a bit jealous. My post was an attempt at HUMOR...OK? Lighten up dude. Enough angry people in the world with no sense of humor looking to piss on everyone's parade!

mgeorge51...I salute you sir for all of your hard work and dedication. I meant no disrespect towards you or any of your accomplishments. If anything, I would be first in line at an airshow to shake your hand and thank you for allowing us to view your pride and joy in the air and up-close on the ground. I am sure you are just as friendly as most owners at airshows who answer the seemingly endless questions with vigor.

(I will not try to be funny...I will not try to be funny...I will not try to be...ah screw it )

[richkolasa]

I am proud to be one of the last guys who is a real enthusiast owner like Bill, Vlado, and Eric meaning that I get my fingernails dirty on my own plane as well as fly it. .

And you should be. That's why us warbird-lovers respect and envy you, but aren't jealous. Seriously, your bird is gorgeous! Best of luck on getting the information you desire.

BTW. I can say "my corsair" too, but mine is 1/18th the size of yours and made in China.

Rich

[Lynn Allen]

I am proud to be one of the last guys who is a real enthusiast owner like Bill, Vlado, and Eric meaning that I get my fingernails dirty on my own plane as well as fly it. A lot of the new owners never touch anything outside of the cockpit and a number of them don't even have a pilot's license.

On the P-51 I did all of the wiring in the cockpit myself and I try to help with the annual valve and head bolt work.

Tough to work as much as before with two young kids but I try to get out to the hanger at least every day.

By the way I seriously have 6 jobs and usually work 7 days a week to support my aviation habit. And if it takes 7 to get my next fighter I will do it.

Mark Clark is waiting to hear go.

A Sea Fury would look good in your stable....

Good Luck,

Lynn

[bdk]

bdk...so sorry that you could not see the humor in what I said. If you had read what mgeorge wrote a couple of posts up, he stated he was pointing out his flying the various planes to sort of make us a bit jealous. My post was an attempt at HUMOR...OK? Lighten up dude. Enough angry people in the world with no sense of humor looking to piss on everyone's parade!

Au contraire monsieur! I did see the humor and responded in kind. Apparently my humor was more subtle than even your'n...