Japanese N1K1 “Rex” restoration by American Aero Services

[florida.warbirds]

Old Willow Grove display aircraft getting some love.

https://floridawarbirds.com/2022/11/11/japanese-n1k1-rex-restoration-by-american-aero-services/

[mike furline]

Willow Grove over the years,



https://www.airliners.net/photo/Japan-N ... JxfAHSly3W


https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/p ... 19195.html

[peter]

Nice to see this one restored

[sandiego89]

Indeed great news, surprised it actually survived after decades of harsh outdoor display.

[LysanderUK]

A unique survivor, great to see it getting some in-depth preservation and restoration.

[Lynn Allen]

Is that the same Rex that was at the Adm. Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas? I sat in it and took pictures of the cockpit.

[Dan K]

Is that the same Rex that was at the Adm. Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas? I sat in it and took pictures of the cockpit.

Different aircraft, Lynn.

The Rex at the Nimitz Museum is Manufacture #562.

Of the other two Rex survivors, the one now being restored at AAS--#565--may have some actual combat history with the 951st Kokutai.

Some uplifting news during a horrific weekend.

[mike furline]

And the other Rex is at NASM.

https://axis.classicwings.com/Japan/Kaw ... anishi.htm

[old iron]

Who owns this? Pensacola? I heard that one was traded to the Coulson Group in Alaska - presumably enroute to Japan - but never heard the full and final story.

Can someone fill us in on this.

Always thought the NASM example could be fairly easily reassembled and display as it, especially as they have the original trolley.

There are also four Georges, including one recovered intact in Japan. That group has an astonishing survival record.

[JohnB]

In the early 1980s when it was at Willow Grove, it and the other warbirds were well looked after and perhaps equally importantly, appreciated.
I knew a base Public Affairs officer, she sent me a number of well done handouts and photos on the aircraft.
The base knew they had some important artifacts.

Last edited by JohnB on Wed Dec 28, 2022 6:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Lynn Allen]

Is that the same Rex that was at the Adm. Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas? I sat in it and took pictures of the cockpit.

Different aircraft, Lynn.

The Rex at the Nimitz Museum is Manufacture #562.

Of the other two Rex survivors, the one now being restored at AAS--#565--may have some actual combat history with the 951st Kokutai.

Some uplifting news during a horrific weekend.

Thank you sir...

[OD/NG]

Who owns this? Pensacola? I heard that one was traded to the Coulson Group in Alaska - presumably enroute to Japan - but never heard the full and final story.

Can someone fill us in on this.

Always thought the NASM example could be fairly easily reassembled and display as it, especially as they have the original trolley.

There are also four Georges, including one recovered intact in Japan. That group has an astonishing survival record.

My understanding is there was to be a deal between Coulson and Pensacola. Coulson was to trade the Martin Mars for both this Rex and a spare Hellcat from the Navy's inventory. AFAIK, the deal fell through and was never executed, so everybody kept what they had. Rumor was that Pensacola couldn't find a good location to put the Mars without it being subjected to Hurricane winds with outside display. Pensacola didn't have a big enough storage facility to store the Mars indoors, so they considered the deal impractical and walked away. If anyone closer to the deal can clarify this, I would appreciate it, as this is second hand info.

[florida.warbirds]

Ownership of the aircraft remains with the US Navy.

[Warbird Kid]

Confirmation on the Rex's eventual home, the American Heritage Museum in Stow, Mass! Confirmed here in their nicely laid out end of the year magazine.
https://issuu.com/collingsfoundation/docs/2022cfnewsltrr?fbclid=IwAR3_zv9FshC9UplQcGFpKTFyKYuXLDbBtjIvZn_ZJddVHENjfQwds_EtnrQ

It appears they are estimating the restoration to take about 2 years.

[florida.warbirds]

I saw that in the release. The guys at AAS mentioned it but I did not think it was my place to make that announcement.