Warbird Information Exchange

Hi all,
Thanks to books, magazines and the internet this Millennial has learned there have been two (or more!) seat conversions of Corsairs, Hellcats, Wildcats and Lightnings to name but a few over the years. But has anyone ever converted an F8F to have a jump seat?

Just an idle thought I've had from time to time.

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Yes, Gulfhawk IV had a jump seat when Elmer Ward owned it.

One of the pics on this Facebook page shows 2 guys in it.

https://www.facebook.com/MustangDaysNut ... 594766955/

August

John Herlihy owned Bearcat 98 for a while in the late 1970s. He had a back seat for a while, but was apparently unhappy with the lack of rollover structure.

It looked tight...

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Neal Nurmi

---Wingman Photo---

Back in the late '70s/early '80s, John Herlihy had a Bearcat and a Mustang "This Is It". We asked him about the Mustang after he sold it and he said 'I had the Mustang so I could bring my wife when she wanted to come along to a show. After I put the back seat in the Bearcat I didn't need the Mustang'.

always thought that was funny.

- photos from C.Aro

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remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

That must be the one that Stephen Grey had a ride in before he bought his first Bearcat. I remember him telling me that, with the structure behind the pilot’s seat gone, the tail used to twist in flight

Did Bu95356 have a spot for a passenger in the fuselage ala the Foote Wildcat at one point? I seem to recall a side window in an old photo...

The Wildcat owned by the Collings Foundation, Bu86680, has seating for 4 in the fuselage. Had seen it if I remember correctly at Thunder over Michigan. Or it could have been the Reading Penn. WW2 weekend.

Thank you folks, asked and answered! Just one of those things that came to mind suddenly.

_________________
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Bob Kucera had a Bearcat N212KA with two rear facing internal seats back in the late '60s.

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remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

That's the paint scheme I remember. Oddly neither N212KA nor Bob Kucera are listed in Goodall's Warbird Directory.

Rear facing seats ... ... wouldn't that make you puke like a sick bear ... ... or cat?

Probably always did just now observation is possible!

N212KA was complete with a side door as well as window ... Seen at Reno'68

Sledge

That's cool. Wow!

I've just sent Geoff an email about that oversight. Good news is she's in Aerial Visuals' database.

_________________
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Some people get motion sickness easier than others. Riding backwards doesn't bother some people. I'm one of them.