F4U-4 Corsair 97280

[F4U-1]

Does anyone know the where abouts and status of the F4U-4 that crashed at OSH in 1999?
Does the Cavanaugh museum still own it? Or Who?

[Rob Mears]

97280 was bought by another party back in 2002 and had been in storage in Breckenridge for some years. The new owner acquired it, and F4U-4 BuNo.97302. 97280 was placed in storage while 97302 became the focus of a complete restoration. Last I heard though, the owner had relocated both F4U's back north. By that time the restoration of 97302 had been stalled for well over a year.

[F4U-1]

So where are they "up north"
who owns them both?
What else does he own?

[RMAllnutt]

Jim Fry owns them, or did a couple of years ago. I believe that they were at Ezell Aviation for a while. No idea where they are now, although parts of both were used in the project put together at Vought recently, along with the former John Silberman example that was extensively rebuilt at Tom Reilly's place. Would be keen to hear more!

Cheers,
Richard