Texas Flying Legends aquires Avenger!!

lmritger · **Posted:** Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:34 am

I am seriously digging the restrained, nearly anonymous markings on the Turkey. That's a very nice look.

Lynn

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:54 am

And they are the same exact markings that the aircraft had during WWII, being a WWII combat vet that was flown from the USS Wasp (VT-86). It really is a spectacularly authentic restoration inside and out (fitted out with all original WWII hardware, including the radar pod and associated internal equipment). The aircraft was even reunited with its original wartime pilot, Harry Badgerow in 1999, and then again in 2004, when he signed one of the propeller tips.

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:21 pm

Whats the Bu # for their Corsair?

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3332

Pat Carry wrote:

Whats the Bu # for their Corsair?

92489

JohnTerrell · **Posted:** Fri Apr 12, 2013 4:35 pm

Mike wrote:

92489

Yep, it is the one that won grand champion at Oshkosh in 2010, immediately following the completion of restoration by John Lane/Airpower Unlimited for then owner John O'Connor. As I recall, it was one of the first aircraft purchased by the Texas Flying Legends museum, around late 2010/early 2011. Another spectacular restoration, and incredibly detailed and authentic throughout.

Edit: The November/December 2010 issue of Warbird Digest goes into good detail on the restoration of this aircraft.

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Fri Apr 12, 2013 5:56 pm

Mike wrote:

Pat Carry wrote:

Whats the Bu # for their Corsair?

92489

Thanks for the fast resposes to this question. Now, how about a serial # for their Zero and for the P-40?

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 12, 2013 7:10 pm

Zero was given '1498.' The story of its reconstruction is featured in CW #65

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7856

JohnTerrell wrote:

And they are the same exact markings that the aircraft had during WWII, being a WWII combat vet that was flown from the USS Wasp (VT-86). It really is a spectacularly authentic restoration inside and out (fitted out with all original WWII hardware, including the radar pod and associated internal equipment). The aircraft was even reunited with its original wartime pilot, Harry Badgerow in 1999, and then again in 2004, when he signed one of the propeller tips.

And here's a few of her close friends ...

USS Wasp Carrier Group Eighteen (CV 18) launch a TBM-3E from Torpedo Squadron Eighty-Six (VT-86) 1945

TBM-3E Avengers of Torpedo Squadron (VT-86) off of the USS Wasp (CV 18) in flight 1945

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7856

... and if your interested here's her boat ...

Aerial view of the aircraft carrier Wasp (CV 18) at sea 1945, I believe #308 is sitting four back from the first Avenger.

Damage to Wasp (CV 18) after she endured a 26 August 1945, typhoon off Japan 1945

... and a few of her other friends ...

F6F-5 Hellcat aircraft of VF-86 on the flight deck of USS Wasp (CV-18) 1945

F4U-1D Corsair aircraft of VBF-86 is the last CVG-86 launch from the deck of USS Wasp (CV-18) 1945

SB2C-4s of Bombing Squadron 86 (VB-86) off USS Wasp (CV-18) participate in mass fly by of Task Force 38 1945

F4U Corsair goes over the side after an errant landing on Wasp (CV 18) 1945, non-fatal

SB2C Helldiver pictured moments before crashing during flight operations on board Wasp (CV 18) 1945, non-fatal

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:52 pm

Great photos as always Mark!

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Texas Flying Legends aquires Avenger!!

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