Warbird Information Exchange

Hi guys;
As we slowly get into the restoration of FG-1D #92460, we are trying to create an informative and interesting web site. We only have photos of it when it came back to the U.S.
I was wondering if anyone out there might have a photo of it while in service with El Salvador?
We'd like to post it on the website.
Thanks so much.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Hi,
The following info via FAH 619.
The attached picture of unknown author corresponds to FAS FG-1D, BuNo 92460, circa 1969 at Bridgeport, CT.

Check the back of Barrett Tillman's 'F4U in WWII and Korea' book, there is a pic of it being hoisted by a crane as I recall...

Mark

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Mark Morris

Jerry O'Neill;

The following info via FAH619;

The included pictures show some art work in the cockpit of the FG-1D. A cartoon face of a pilot with a FAS helmet and underneath the word "canario" in Spanish meaning "canary" in English. Or it could be “Corsario”, Spanish for Corsair.

To the right a poss FAS 210 id number (the mid number is hard to identify)

The 3rd drawing of someone face was found in one of the elevators at Vintage Fighter, during the restoration of poss X FAS 203 Buno 67087. c. 2002. Photos via Wix/Jerry O'Neal

Can you help us with better close-up pics of the drawings?

Thanks,

FAH619 / Lone Eagle

Every time I look into that cockpit I find that little guy!

Dont have any new pics to add but I have peeled away some of the layers of paint and found very interesting markings throughout the years.

_________________
Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

Guys;
This was FAS 217. Photo Ukn c. 1969. It shows the aircraft on maneuvers at its new resting place!! Maybe you can id some of the folks of that time at Bridgeport CT airport.
Thanks for your help,
FAH619 / Lone Eagle

That photo is actually from 1971 when it was first placed on the pylon at Bridgeport.
I was hoping we might dig up some images of her when she was in service South of the border or earlier with the USN.
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Also if we could ever find the logs for the aircraft when in El Salvador I think it would be very interesting to see if she saw combat.

_________________
Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

According to some information,FAS-217 was barely operative during its years with El Salvador Air Force.It was w/o by the mid 60's and never saw combat.Looks like it was donated before the war with Honduras,and no photos of it while in service have surfaced thus far.

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http://catrachowings.com/foro/index.php

Jerry;
We are still doing some digging for the FAS 217 pic while in FAS Service. FAS 217 was out service by July 1969, therefore it was not a '69 veteran.

On the other hand, we would like to find out the following:

1. How was FG-1D FAS 217 selected among the many samples at the FAS boneyard c. 1969.

2. Where there any contacts with the Argentine Navy of the Honduran Folks??

3. Who was the POC that flew to El Salvador to make the selection and seal the deal?? We understand this person may have taken not only pics of FAS 217 as found but also of many others in the area. Any way to get a hold of this poss contact??
Thanks for your help,
FAH619/Lone Eagle

1: Nick Mainero was the individual who went down and, with the assistance of the Salvadorian military, picked out the airframe that was eventually brought to Connecticut. Nick is still living in Bridgeport and was the airport manager at the time the project began. He was a Marine Corsair pilot in WWII and received a DFC.

2 & 3: I don't believe there were any contacts with officials in Honduras or Argentinia, but next time I see him, I'll ask about that and see if he took any photos when he went to pick out the airframe.
Jerry

_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."