Warbird Information Exchange

VMF-111 Corsair 122 Folks:

Good Day!

...it apparently came back to the U.S c. 1945 for a tour to all the plants that made parts for this fine flying machine. Its pilot was the late USMC Maj William C. Bickel who flew it around for Open House Day at different locations. The picture included was taken c. Jan 1945 when on a static exhibit at the CT F4U plant or nearby airport for the media, employees & families to see. Photo Sikorsky Archives via J. O'Neill.

The diff scheme may be as a result of the one used by USMC VMF-111 once at Okinawa c. 1945. Not sure about the "122" markings on the L/wing.Then.. '122' just seemed to disappeared from the radar screen. Who were the folks that re-painted '122'? Was is sent to a nearby USMC base for display/storage? Where did it go after its US tour was over? is it at the Smithsonian someplace? I'm sure someone out there knows a bit more about it!!

There could be lots of pictures of this plane in the Bridgeport, CT area or in little boxes in the attic of relatives. I think it's worth digging into it.. in memory of the pilots that flew it & the maint folks who kept it going. "122" has a story to tell! If you could add some more info/data or pics plz post.



p.s For now its poss Buno is somewhere in the F4U-1A 55XXX/56XXX series!

Nice post!
I wonder how many families have long forgotten pictures of WW2 or any aircraft in their attics. Every time I go to a thrift store or antique shop I look for items like this and anything aviation related.
thanks
Jim C.
UC-61K USAAF# 43-14964 / RAF ARGUS-III # HB-690
soon to be back in the air in full RAF colors!

C61K:

Good day!

On the subject of Aviation Research pure luck is a factor & a hit & miss sometimes that helps!

The pic below shows the poss VMF-111 F4U-1 Corsair "122" (Also known as Ole 122) with one of his pilots the late .2Lt. William Magill c, 1944, of Venice, Florida. Lt. Magill flew only 89 missions & in one of those missions he had to land in another friendly field/island due to engine oil loss. We do not know if the aircraft in question was "122", However Lt. Magill mentions that upon return to his SQ He was given another aircraft. He appears later on with other photos of a F4U with "89 missions" on a F4U # 123. Photo NARA via VMF-124Historyguy. It is very poss that the original "122" was recovered with enough HP to make it back to its original Sq or Island for the long trip back to the US.



I also agree with Jerry about being painted somewhere in the E. coast poss Quonset PT NAS or the Norfolk NAS area.

2 B Cont....

F4U-1 #122 Folks:

Good day!

We are glad to add 2 good news to the saga of the USMC VFM -111 F4U #122. (The 100 missions WW II aircraft):

1. Jerry O'Neill reports having a "Vought" c. 1946 pamphlet/brochure when this particular aircraft came to the Bridgeport area for aerial exhibitions & static display on Feb 1945. At the moment,... it's in "stealth version" but knowing Jerry he will produce a scan once found. If any of the Bridgeport area folks, sons/dau or relatives of the Vougth Open House on Feb 1945 remembers having or seeing one plz post to take a glance at it.

We are looking for a poss Buno or C/n entered as a info/data about "122" . Tks in advance. Then VFM-124 historyguy will take it fm there!

2. The pilot that also flew it was Maj. W.E. Clasen of USMC VMF -214 the sister Sq of VMF -111. Perhaps some relatives can assist us with some photos or data of him & help us pinpoint the final destination of this aircraft.

Tks in advance for the time & attention!

2 B cont...

F4U Folks:

Good day!

Back to the VMF-111 F4U #122!






There a 2 nice prints of this fine flying machine in the Chance F4U FB Grp! I'll try to obtain the Buno off the 2nd print .
Did most likely #122 went to a display on a MCAS base after c. 1946 or the Smithsonian folks got a hold of it & place it in storage?? We're digging on this one as someone in the CT area may know some more details/info. via DC Mercado.

p.s poss Buno 17813 for now!!

2 B cont....!

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 4/6/45. A couple of family clues to follow up if anyone wanted to maybe find out more info.

From the Montreal Gazette 4/16/45.

CJ:

Good day!

Tks for the info/data & the pic of Cpt. W.C. Bickel.

p.s One crew chief is still alive & remembers serving with VMF-111 c. WW-II. "We were a small unit he says..not that famous but we kept 'em flying! I'll dig for it.

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45-47=-2