Warbird Information Exchange

El Toro park to get 2 vintage aircraft
From wire service reports
Posted: 05/21/2009 02:28:25 PM PDT


IRVINE - The board overseeing transition of the former El Toro Marine base into an urban park agreed today to spend $275,000 to acquire two aircraft used to train pilots in World War II for display in an aviation museum.

"These two historical planes will be a wonderful addition to our future Great Park Aviation and Heritage Museum," said Larry Agran, chair of the Orange County Great Park Corp.

"A military airplane display and military museum are both key elements of the Great Park Master Plan and reflect the rich 60-year military history of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station," Agran said.

An N3N-3 Canary, a 1942 two-seat biplane built by Navel Aircraft, will be purchased from David Tunno for $85,000, with additional costs of $10,000 for taxes, insurance, inspection reports, delivery and escrow and other miscellaneous fees, said Steve Larsen, spokesman for the Great Park Corp.

A 1944 SNJ-5, a single-engine, primary trainer aircraft designed by North Aviation, will be acquired from Wright Aviation LLC for $159,000, plus $21,000 for the insurance and delivery fees, Larsen said.

The biplane was used for the Navy and Marine Corps primary flight school, and remained in active service with the U.S. Naval Academy until 1961, Larsen said.

The SNJ-5 was used to train fighter pilots for the Navy, Army, Air Corps and the Royal Air Force.

Both are in good condition and maintain their airworthiness, Larsen said.

Mike Elizey, chief executive officer of the Great Park Corp., said he hopes the planes will go on display at the Great Park's upcoming anniversary celebration in July.

Wow again! That's probably the most beautiful N3N I've ever seen..simply elegant!

Its not bad......for a long time I did not like the windshields on it.

Neat to know it's the proto bird. Now don't take this wrong, I'm well aware of your love for the N3N and your almost
single-handed battle to fight off the Stearman horde, but the color scheme and wheel pant combo removes
the "pot-bellied pig pedal car" look that most N3N's seem to convey..at least to my eyes.

This one, I love the wheelpants and the Cowling installation is probably the best install for the airplane. My only thought was that it really needs to be a snazy civie paint scheme instead of USMC.

Yep, how could I fail to mention the cowling? Overall the look reminds me of the early 30's export WACO's, etc.

'Tis a pity something that gorgeous will be a static. You need to do one like this bird..sounds like your
ready with the paint!