Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:56 pm
Just in case anyone is interested here is a colored photo of the XFL-1
from my collection. Enjoy. John
from my collection. Enjoy. John
Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:24 pm
What a cool airplane. I'd never heard of it before.
Shame to see how well the Navy preserved it.
Shame to see how well the Navy preserved it.
Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:43 pm
Jeff Nelson wrote:
Jeff...Jeff...Jeff...That ain't how bureaucracy works. No one person makes decisions. That's so everyone can say, "I don't know. It wasn't me. You should go talk to so and so....capisca?
Mudge the helpful
I'm curious as to just who it is in the Navy that made the rule and enforces it regardless of logic and international salvage laws that everyone else follows. I'd also like to know why that person is allowed to do this.
Jeff...Jeff...Jeff...That ain't how bureaucracy works. No one person makes decisions. That's so everyone can say, "I don't know. It wasn't me. You should go talk to so and so....capisca?
Mudge the helpful
Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:14 pm
thank you all for replying so fast;
i figured the airabonita was " in storage " somewhere, but seeing what is actually left of it ( in 1976 ) it seems to have met a terrible end in the hands of its masters.
I can't stop wondering what other magnificiant aircraft(s) ended up in a ditch nearby. It seems that some people only live for the day without thought for the future, hopefully there is more people out there these days living for tomorrow, preserving what we have today for all to enjoy
( and fly ) in the future.
i figured the airabonita was " in storage " somewhere, but seeing what is actually left of it ( in 1976 ) it seems to have met a terrible end in the hands of its masters.
I can't stop wondering what other magnificiant aircraft(s) ended up in a ditch nearby. It seems that some people only live for the day without thought for the future, hopefully there is more people out there these days living for tomorrow, preserving what we have today for all to enjoy
( and fly ) in the future.
Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:50 pm
The Inspector wrote:When the FG-1 in question got to John Lanes place, after a couple of weeks he called the MoF and inquired into what state of restoration they wanted, as is, static, really nice static (what they settled for) or would you like me to fly it back? When they got through laying eggs over 'fly it back' the protestation went up that it was too far gone to fly to which I understand the reply was that there were at the time flying CORSAIRS out there in much worse shape-yes, some magnesium parts had sacrificed over the years but the airplane mostly suffered from being full of Rainier Valley silt.
Touching base with Mr. Lane will probably add dimension to the story but this is how it came to me from a friend who was working @ MoF at the time.
Wished I'd have heard that at the time; I would have had a good laugh...
Yes, it could have been restored to fly (most of us working on it wanted to) and it's actually pretty close as it sits. Needs a good engine and prop installed, the wiring needs to be wrung out and the wing tip that was stuck into the lake bottom needs to be jigged up and checked. Other than that John L. did his usual excellent Corsair resto.
But, when it was shipped to Idaho, there were lots of holes eaten through the skin and quite a bit of corrosion internally, don't think it would have made it another 95 years.