Former Dick Foote Wildcat on Courtesy!

[Warbird Kid]

Ahhh! My favorite Wildcat with the coolest of post war modifications is up on the chopping block at Courtesy!

http://courtesyaircraft.com/Current%20Inventory/N11FE%20Grumman%20Eastern%20Aircraft%20FM-2%20Wildcat.htm

While I know the Collings Foundation only likes acquiring dual control fighters for there nation-wide tour, I think this would be a good fit for them. I mean, how many Wildcats do you know that you could go for a ride in?

Also Im wondering: Hypothetically speaking of course, if i had a Wildcat project today that I wanted to modify the same as this Wildcat, would there be any major red tape in the way? Or since its already been done on this example it wouldn't be as difficult to get registered? And for that matter, is it possible to create a TF dual control Wildcat?

[The Inspector]

Chris,
Take a look @ the two seat F4U 'Trainer' proposal or the two seat P-39 trainer and see if you'd want to be seen dead within two blocks of them. The trainer modded Me-109's looked like a mid air collision between an airplane and a garden window.

[Cherrybomber13]

Chris,
Still waiting to see that JU-88 "Cajun" you designed start construction....

[Warbird Kid]

Chris,
Still waiting to see that JU-88 "Cajun" you designed start construction....

Lol, yeah. I've thought about that "multi-tourist / passenger mod" for many twin engine versions. Mosquito, Ju-88, A-26 you get the idea.

The Inspector:

I've seen those two, two seat trainer versions. While they don't quite look as good as the there wartime single seat versions, I bet they'd be a sought after version in today's market. The way I see it, is that not too many people want to fly alone when theres a profit that could be made. Having the ability to give somebody a ride is one thing, but having a full TF version is another. Here's my breakdown of the Seven major US Fighters if you wanted to make them all Dual Control.


P-51: Well thats nothing new and theres plenty of examples out there, each with unique traits.


P-40: Has been done already. Kermit Week's is I guess the only original example but the premise is there. The Paul family has the awesome Parrot Head P-40N which IIRC is a a full Dual Control. And theres even this on Platinum Fighter Sales: http://www.platinumfighters.com/#!__p40n




P-39: Well I really don't know how you would get around altering the original configuration but, even still I'd like to see a TF Dual Control P-39. Your telling me you wouldn't want a ride in it?




P-38: IMO you would have to either find an original M version Cockpit Tub or build a brand new one. Either way you would the look and style of the late war P-38 Night-fighter with the comforts of having a second set of controls.




P-47: The Wartime was pretty neat, but given the rarity of Razorbacks that might make things difficult. Either way I'd try and go with an Early D to retain as much of the original lines of the aircraft as possible. But I bet a TF Bubble Top wouldn't be much harder.




Corsair: The wartime two seat trainer made was sort of fugly looking, but given enough time and energy, I bet you could make a more authentic looking Dual Control. Sort of a cross between the CF's P-51C and a Birdcage Corsair. The goal of that idea might lie in the production of an all new cockpit fuselage section for the Corsair so as:

1. Not to damage an existing original cockpit tub if there is one
2. Strengthen, update, and alter to make safer for the two occupants in TF standard.





He11cat: Havent found an example of a Wartime Two Seater yet so my best judgement right now would be to do some sort of modification like the one the LSFM has on there bird.




Wildcat: Again haven't found a Wartime example to base it off of, so I'd assume you could get away with doing something similar to this F3F new build. Both airframes are similar in size, shape, ect. In the photo below you can see the difference from the conventional single seaters to the dual control.




BF-109: Bonus! I've also thought about making a more accurate looking TF/BF-109. But I guess it's already designed, known as the BF-109G-12 trainer variant.



In conclusion I think that while these versions would be a really cool to see airborne. And even get to fly in them, Id hate to see our already airworthy examples of fighters converted to two seaters. Historical authenticity is also something significantly important. In a perfect world, these dual controls would be new built so as not to detract from the already flying population or certain measures are taken if in fact an original fuselage is used for a full TF Dual Control conversions. Either way, I see these planes continuing to fly into the 21st Century but making a hardline connection to people that aren't generally pilots or flyers. That means getting them in the air and having them experience flight in a vintage Warbird. I mean, its no secret that the bombers usually earn there keep and expenses from selling rides, and the idea has been put into practice with some fighters, but not to the level of variety I'm talking about. But then again we might just see all of the above examples eventually come into existence from other like minded individuals. I mean, who ever thought we'd see a Dual Control Zero? But now thanks to the FHC with there modification, at some point in the future we'll be seeing one in the air!

[Cherrybomber13]

I still prefer the "H0RS3" Texas style trainer...

[Jiggersfromsphilly]

I still prefer the "H0RS3" Texas style trainer...

Which seat is for Curly ?

[JimH]

I still prefer the "H0RS3" Texas style trainer...

Can anybody Photoshop a CAF tramp stamp on this????

jim

[N3Njeff]

I still prefer the "H0RS3" Texas style trainer...

Can anybody Photoshop a CAF tramp stamp on this????

jim

I just pissed myself!

[Cherrybomber13]

This id for all you Nay sayers out here, I personally have always been a fan of the H0RS3 aka "Citizen Mane".

[N3Njeff]

This id for all you Nay sayers out here, I personally have always been a fan of the H0RS3 aka "Citizen Mane".

WHAT NO INVASION STRIPES?????
Oh wait, thats a zebra

[StangStung]

How many people can fit in that space behind the Wildcat's cockpit? The wide angle pic on courtesy's website makes it look as big as the tail end of an OnMark A-26. Seems like it's made for munchkins...

[the330thbg]

This id for all you Nay sayers out here, I personally have always been a fan of the H0RS3 aka "Citizen Mane".

WHAT NO INVASION STRIPES?????
Oh wait, thats a zebra

Where is the 'Tramp' stamp?

[whistlingdeath77]

This id for all you Nay sayers out here, I personally have always been a fan of the H0RS3 aka "Citizen Mane".

WHAT NO INVASION STRIPES?????
Oh wait, thats a zebra

Where is the 'Tramp' stamp?

on your sister

[wingman1]

[Warbird Kid]

Okay so... derailed much?