Warbird Information Exchange

F4U Folks:

Good day!!

Among the many pictures of his amazing F4U collection both at S. Calif and Arizona, c. 1960s, the previous schemes of the Honduran AF F4Us are missing!! We are looking for pictures of Bunos 97388, 97382, 97288, 97143, 96995, 97280, 97320, 97059 & 96885. Mr. Bean nogociated the sale of these 9 F4U Corsairs between c. 1959-1961 with the Honduran AF.

Does anyone know if these F4Us were in a barn someplace else?? Are there any mechanics or helpers/relatives that may know more details about these F4U's?? Was Mr. Bean a WW II vet??
Where did he learn to fly F4Us, P-38s & P-63s?? If you have any pics of Litchfield Park NAS with the above Bunos they will be certainly welcome.

Perhaps it's time for all of us to write a small biography and give credit in his memory for saving the F4Us & other aircraft that we see flying today or at display in US Museums.

Tks in advance & Happy 2011!!

Have you checked thru any of the old Wings, Airpower or Warbird Classic articles for the story on the retrival of the corsairs from Honduras? I have the article about the pilots who brought those F4u-4 and -5's back to the US,but it is in El Paso,TX. I believe it was the late 70's or early 1980's. I can look on my bookshelf when I get back. There are 2 books that have illustrations and photos of Honduran Corsairs.Fighting Colors F4U-Cosair in Color, Squadron Signal Publications,1981 #96995,F4u-4 Honduran #614,and Warpaint series No.70,backcover #97288,-4 Honduran#612, #614 and #612 in flight together and a line-up of F4u-5NL and -4's. Listing of Corsairs to Honduras In Warpaint No.70:#97399 FAH 610,#97382 FAH 618, #97288 FAH 612,#97143 FAH 613,96995 #97280 FAH 615, #97320 FAH 616, #97059 FAH 617 and #96885 FAH 611, all F4u-4's. There is a also a decal sheet from Azteca with Latin American Corsairs in 1/48 scale. Warbird Tech F4U Corsair has a few photos of Litchfield Corsairs, mainly F4u-1's. Have you checked with NMNA in Pensacola, Quantico USMC museum and the Marine museum in El Toro? Hope this helps. Dane Alley

Or ask Howard Pardue....