Help ID my warbird pics #1

k5083 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:57 pm

Thanks for the further info guys. The PBY, at least, we have pinned down.

Bdk makes an excellent point about the P-63 possibly being 43-11117. The registry does say that it was restored at Nichols' shop around this time, and if another P-63 (besides Fatal Fang) had been in the works there, I doubt I would have missed it. I'm actually leaning that way now.

In an email someone has suggested TG114/Argonaut as an ID for the Sea Fury; that also makes sense given the apparent R-3350, the location, and the timing.

I have a couple more shots for you to chew on and am starting a new thread.

August

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

k5083 wrote:

bdk wrote:

k5083 wrote:

So that leaves the P-40 and Sea Fury. Bdk, the Sea Fury could well be Mott's WG567. The history and configuration seem to fit.

August, you seemed to be very positive regarding the R-3350 in your original posting. Was it the 4-bladed prop of the engine cylinders that directed you to that conclusion? It does look like the prop is a clockwise rotation (from the cockpit) example.

It was the four blades. I did not consider the direction of rotation but I think you are correct and that also suggests R-3350. If so then maybe I am still looking for an ID on this one.

August

Rats! I guess we start over on that one. I spent some time looking through the registry but couldn't find anythink else likely. Not many 3350 powered Sea Furies back then.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

k5083 wrote:

Bdk makes an excellent point about the P-63 possibly being 43-11117. The registry does say that it was restored at Nichols' shop around this time, and if another P-63 (besides Fatal Fang) had been in the works there, I doubt I would have missed it. I'm actually leaning that way now.

In an email someone has suggested TG114/Argonaut as an ID for the Sea Fury; that also makes sense given the apparent R-3350, the location, and the timing.

Fatal Fang was not restored in Chino.

I thought Argonaut was done later than 1989.

vanguard · **Joined:** Sat Apr 16, 2005 3:00 am **Posts:** 114

ARGONAUGHT started flying in 1994.
The FJ was restored as a static display by PACIFIC FIGHTERS.

AirJimL2 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:20 am

BDK,

I e-mailed August on this already, but another left field suggestion on the Fury is N42SF. Wasn't it restored by Bertea at Chino around that time?

Jim

k5083 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:02 pm

bdk wrote:

Fatal Fang was not restored in Chino.

I know, but was sloppy. My point was just that it was the other 63 in the Yanks shop. I did see it getting worked on quite a bit.

bdk wrote:

I thought Argonaut was done later than 1989.

Me too, but there aren't a lot of candidates. Jim has suggested N42SF but I don't know if it was there by then.

August

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:56 pm

Just wondering. Are we sure that it is a single seater? My somewhat dazed monitor doesn't work well enough for me to determine that. If it is a two-seater, who did the modifications for Jerry Janes on N51SF? As far as I know both Bertea's Fury and Argonaut came by later than 1989.

Who did the restoration job on "Fatal Fang"? I understand it was put together at Palomar. Would that mean Dick Martin?
T J

retroaviation · **Posted:** Tue Feb 27, 2007 5:05 pm

Just my worthless input here...

The Sea Fury is definitely a R-3350 powered one. It is not a TMk.20 (factory two seater, like Jerry Janes airplane was), as the rear canopy came back far enough to be able to see it from that angle. Ican't be sure if the airplane pictured is Argonaut or not, but I'm pretty dang sure that Argonaut wasn't flying until around '93, '94, or something around that time. Maybe someone from Sanders Aircraft is a WIXer and could help us out with this.

Just my $.02 worth. Hope it helps.

Gary

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Help ID my warbird pics #1

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