Fighter Factory FM-2 Wildcat

[Jack Cook]

I hear it's completed, has run it's Wright and is doing taxi tests!

photo courtesy of Troy White

[Warbird Kid]

Hard to imagine that was once Lex Dupont's bird! Awesome.

[CraigQ]

[quote="Jack Cook"]I hear it's completed, has run it's Wright and is doing taxi tests!

photo courtesy of Troy White[/quote

Saaaaayyyy, I resemble that guy on the wing!

That picture was just after shutdown from its initial taxi test. We had a few small squawks to work, nothing major. Should have parts to take care of the last one waiting for me Monday morning, after that another run and taxi and after that a test flight soon.

Craig

[lmritger]

I thought that was you. That really looks absolutely fabulous, Craig- congrats on an absolutely BEAUTIFUL job, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!!

Lynn

[12XU2A3X3]

bummer she's outta PA. looks awesome though, nice work!

[Lynn Allen]

Looks great Craig, I look forward to getting back out there soon. Enjoy the holidays and fly safe...

Lynn

[PbyCat-Guy]

Is this the one that was weathered then decided to strip and do some maintenance? I liked her better with the "worn" look.

[CraigQ]

Is this the one that was weathered then decided to strip and do some maintenance? I liked her better with the "worn" look.

Yeah, we did "some maintenance"..

[Jim MacDonald]

Yeah, we did "some maintenance"..

He says with tongue in cheek.

Mac

[Chappie]

Is this the one that was weathered then decided to strip and do some maintenance? I liked her better with the "worn" look.

Yeah, we did "some maintenance"..

Yes, about 16 months worth? The paint scheme she wears now is exactly how she looked when she left the Linden, NJ factory in 1944. Her last scheme was that of an 1942-era F4F rather than an FM-2.


Chappie

[Kyleb]

Is this the one that was weathered then decided to strip and do some maintenance? I liked her better with the "worn" look.

Yeah, we did "some maintenance"..

I'm guessing it is so ugly now you won't be able to find anyone to fly it. My standards are very low, so give me a call.


Note - the smiley indicates this is a joke, just in case my sense of irony doesn't come through.

[Robbo]

It looks much better, I've aways had a soft spot for Martlets. Doffed caps to all involved in the much needed transformation.

Rob

[marine air]

It's ironic that a supposed heir to the Dupont paint and chemical fortune had the rattiest paint on any warbird for a few decades. I never was a fan of that as it looked more like a drug runner's hack than any authentic military. Even the battle worn photos in the south Pacific are two and three year old aircraft and would have looked a lot better than Dupon'ts. Glad to see the airplane is restored to the stature and quality it deserves.

[CraigQ]