Can you ID this Corsair?

[Ken]

At Oshkosh, in the 2002-2004 timeframe, I remember seeing a freshly restored Corsair in factory paint (no unit markings). Beautiful aircraft. Would someone please point out the current location of this bird and where I might see more photos on the web?

Thanks.

Ken

[corsair166b]

Gary Kohs Corsair first appeared on the scene in 2003, fresh from John Lane's restoration shop, in dark blue paint and national insignia and not much else....I'm betting this is the one you saw....sorry I don't have more details at hand, I'm at work.

M

[planeoldsteve]

This One?

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/cafcorsair/ ... 0FG-1D.pdf

Steve

[Ken]

I see some evidence on the web that ownership is now with Vintage Wings of Canada. They plan to repaint it to honor a Canadian pilot. They obviou$ly earned the right to do whatever they wish - but what a shame that such an authentic airplane had to lose its factory look and its place in the US.

I've been into warbirds since the 70's and still can not get over the amazement I felt seeing that airplane at OSH due to the detail of that pristine restoration. Wow!

Best of luck to our friends in Canada. May she log many, many safe hours in the future.

Ken

[Michel C-GNCJ]

Here is what the Vintage Wings of Canada Website says about this aircraft:

Type: Single radial reciprocating engine, fighter-bomber
Notable Facts: 2003 E.A.A. Airventure Grand Champion Warbird & Rolls Royce - Heritage Trophy Reno, NV - People's Choice Trophy. TV Series "Blacksheep Squadron" as VMF-214/WE/Blacksheep – Flew in 22 episodes.
Manufactured: 1945 - Under License by Goodyear
Construction Number: 3367 and U.S. Navy Bureau Number 92106
Current Registration: C-GVWC; Previous: NX106FG, N6897
Present Markings: Royal Navy

I have seen it firsthand at the Quebec City airshow a couple of weeks ago where she was on static display and she looks great with the new markings. I'll evenually post pictures of her.

It now represents a very significant hommage to Canadian navy operations. As the Museum says, their acquisition is ...to tell the story of Canada's naval fighter pilots from the Second World War.

Here is another short excerpt from their site:
Corsairs were first operated from carriers by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. Trained in the US, RNFAA pilots including Canadian Lt. Robert Hampton Gray were deployed on carriers such as HMS Formidable and Victorious and carried out daring fighter escort and attack operations in the North Atlantic. This included the famous raids against the holed-up German battleship Tirpitz. HMS Formidable also fought in the Pacific theatre later in the war where Lt. Gray won the Victoria Cross. The Vintage Wings of Canada Corsair, presently in standard U.S. “shipyard blue” markings, will be painted in markings to honour Hampton Gray.


Click here to read more about this top Canadian naval pilot from WWII:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hampton_Gray

WE Canadians are mighty pleased about having her flying in Canada now. And don't you worry, she will be VERY well taken for where she now resides ! And fly she will !!!

[Michel C-GNCJ]

Ah !

I knew my good friend Jean-Pierre Bonin had taken great shots of her at the Vintage Wings Open House Day earlier this summer.

See them there on Flicker:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djipibi/sets/72157605498593479/

Isn't she something in her new colors ?

Enjoy !

[Steve T]

Here's another shot of C-GVWC at Gatineau. BTW, the Vintage Wings crew wanted to change as little as possible of the paintwork on Mr Lane's beautiful restoration; the Hammy Gray VC markings on the Corsair now are decals, and on close examination it can be seen that the bars on the British Pacific Fleet insignia are the originals from the factory style USN star-and-bar, and the type designator and BuNo are still in place on the fin and rudder. (It is of course convenient that the BPF Corsairs in 1945 operated in basic USN sea blue...)



S.

[The Inspector]

John flew the airplane directly from Idaho to Osh. where an overly officious, self appointed 'expert' on markings. who was also a judge, decided the aircraft should have been painted three color and not overall glossy sea blue and deducted points for 'incorrect finish'.
As a consequence, the aircraft missed being awarded first place in warbirds despite factory documentation showing that the aircraft left the factory in overall blue - 'my minds made up, don't confuse me with the facts'

[kenlyco]

Here's an older shot

[Nathan]

Wow thats nice!

[mustangdriver]

Here's an older shot

That is awesome. Too bad they changed it. I like the plain roll out markings.

[Tim Savage]

John flew the airplane directly from Idaho to Osh. where an overly officious, self appointed 'expert' on markings. who was also a judge, decided the aircraft should have been painted three color and not overall glossy sea blue and deducted points for 'incorrect finish'.
As a consequence, the aircraft missed being awarded first place in warbirds despite factory documentation showing that the aircraft left the factory in overall blue - 'my minds made up, don't confuse me with the facts'

The Corsair won Grand Champ at OSH. The incident you are referencing took place at the Rolls Royce Heritage competition at RNO..

[kenlyco]

[Lynn Allen]

Great pictures, is that Mike Burke driving it in the 2nd picture??

Lynn

[Warbird Kid]

For one im not upset we lost a "plane jane" Corsair. This one replaces the Olympia one anyways. I say, good luck and keep em flying VWoC!

Though i still wish one was based out of Stratford!