Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:06 pm
Mr Soplata still has the remains of FG-1D "Lucky Gallon" flown by Cook Cleland in the 1948 Thompson. my understanding is it's mainly the fuseloge forward of the break behind the cockpit, engine and propeller. I don't know what wing pieces he has. I read somewhere, probably "September Champions", that the outer wing panels were swapped with XF2G #94 and metalized for #94. Somewhere in it's later non-flying years it even sported a F2G tail with the sub-rudder.
May all your bent wings be F2G Corsairs!
Kenn
May all your bent wings be F2G Corsairs!
Kenn
Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:06 pm
I sure hope some pictures of 88026's removal and inspection surface here on WIX soon (hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink wink).
Would be awesome to see the old girl up close and in detail.
Shay
_____________
Semper Fortis
Would be awesome to see the old girl up close and in detail.
Shay
_____________
Semper Fortis
Last edited by Shay on Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:11 am
So the Corsair is already gone, correct? Also has anyone mentioned what the other plane someone is looking at is? Anyone know what date they are taking this other plane out is?
Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:06 am
The other plane is the AD-1 Skyraider.
Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:36 am
Wouldnt the P-47 or P-63 fuselage be valued more than the Skyraider (no offense Eric)??
Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:58 am
Chuck--
The Jug fuselage, maybe; the Cobra fuselage, not likely, as it's very chewed-up, and the P-63 seems to get short shrift in the marketplace anyway for some reason (it doesn't have a significant AAF combat history like the P-39 does, maybe that's the issue). The XAD-1, though, is mostly complete (airframe-wise at least), and is one of the earliest surviving Spads besides. Surprised as I am to hear the FG may be departing Newbury, I'm outright stunned to hear the XAD may be going too.
S.
The Jug fuselage, maybe; the Cobra fuselage, not likely, as it's very chewed-up, and the P-63 seems to get short shrift in the marketplace anyway for some reason (it doesn't have a significant AAF combat history like the P-39 does, maybe that's the issue). The XAD-1, though, is mostly complete (airframe-wise at least), and is one of the earliest surviving Spads besides. Surprised as I am to hear the FG may be departing Newbury, I'm outright stunned to hear the XAD may be going too.
S.
Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:09 am
[quote="Steve T"] Surprised as I am to hear the FG may be departing Newbury, I'm outright stunned to hear the XAD may be going too.[quote]
What have you heard, if anything? Is it the same guy who bought the FG?
Shay
____________
Semper Fortis
What have you heard, if anything? Is it the same guy who bought the FG?
Shay
____________
Semper Fortis
Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:22 am
Shay--
No idea...this thread is where I heard about it!
S.
No idea...this thread is where I heard about it!
S.
Fri Jul 13, 2007 2:51 pm
Lets hope your wrong for that would be a crying shame. 
What other pieces does this "pack rat" own?
What other pieces does this "pack rat" own?
Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:06 pm
I can understand making it a static aircraft because that is one of the wishes of Mr. Soplata. But to hide it away and never be seen? That is not fun.
Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:22 pm
I hope that's not true about it being put away where no one can see it. However, I think it would be cool if the aircraft was placed in a museum as is and not restored. I think that would make a neat tribute to Mr. Soplata.
Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:07 pm
Restore the darn thing to airworthy status and get the darn thing into the air.........thats my opinion for what it's worth!!! 
???
Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:24 pm
To Ken McBride,
Restore the Corsair PLEASE!!
Don't store it and forget about it!
PS Hi Ted!
Restore the Corsair PLEASE!!
Don't store it and forget about it!
PS Hi Ted!
???
Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:35 pm
I've known for a while but kept quiet
until I heard the plans for the a/c.
until I heard the plans for the a/c.
Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:48 pm
Can we have identification of some of Mr Soplata's inventory in that aerial photo? The B-25 and AD and the B-36 nose are obvious but what about the rest?
I first heard of Mr. Soplata about a decade or so ago. Seems like it was in a book I got from Military Book Club about the B-29 "Kee Bird" recovery effort in Greenland. The main story line was a downer since I knew how it ended but the book alternated chapters between the main story and colorful tales of how the people involved got into warbirds/vintage av. and how they met each other. There was considerable ink given to Walter (if this was indeed where I read it) telling of his unbelievable efforts. Someone who knew him or was related to him tried to have hid house condemned because he had the attic crammed full of airplane parts!
On one hand I have tremendous admiration for his rescue efforts and on the other have the deepest sympathy for him since the publication I read portrayed him as all alone, doing everything he could with no help from anyone. Just one dedicated preservationist with an old truck and trailer. It also claimed he had a wingless AT-6 that he pulled out of the shed on July 4 to crank up and make noise.
Is that him standing by the 36 nose in the photo?
Canso42.
I first heard of Mr. Soplata about a decade or so ago. Seems like it was in a book I got from Military Book Club about the B-29 "Kee Bird" recovery effort in Greenland. The main story line was a downer since I knew how it ended but the book alternated chapters between the main story and colorful tales of how the people involved got into warbirds/vintage av. and how they met each other. There was considerable ink given to Walter (if this was indeed where I read it) telling of his unbelievable efforts. Someone who knew him or was related to him tried to have hid house condemned because he had the attic crammed full of airplane parts!
On one hand I have tremendous admiration for his rescue efforts and on the other have the deepest sympathy for him since the publication I read portrayed him as all alone, doing everything he could with no help from anyone. Just one dedicated preservationist with an old truck and trailer. It also claimed he had a wingless AT-6 that he pulled out of the shed on July 4 to crank up and make noise.
Is that him standing by the 36 nose in the photo?
Canso42.