How many two-seat F4U/FG-1 Corsair conversions?

[corsairfan]

I got to ride in F4U-5NL (BU 124560) at the Corsair Gathering in 2002. It's now owned by John French but was owned by Raymon Thompson at the time. I'm 6' 3" and around 235 and I fit back there just fine. I wouldn't say it's roomy but it's not bad. That Corsair had the blue side windows so my view was pretty good. I could easily see over the shoulder of the pilot and had a great view as we flew formation behind the B-25 photo plane. I was very much aware during the flight that if anything happened there was no chance I was getting out of that thing but I was also very much willing to take the risk. Absolutely amazing to see, hear and feel the power and agility of that plane. A ride I'll never forget.

Attachments

[Zac Yates]

I had no idea there had been so many!

Has anyone attempted a dual control conversion?

[Dan K]

Has anyone attempted a dual control conversion?

Junior Burchinal used to advertise flight instruction back in the 1970s.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90452479@N07/8320343520

Perhaps this old thread will whet some appetites?

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... =3&t=15839

[JohnTerrell]

Cavanaugh Flight Museum's FG-1D N451FG (Bu No. 92399) has a jump seat and they were offering rides at an event I attended back in 2015. I can't remember the cost. It has a rear window, so there is at least some visibility. I don't think that one has flown for a few years now, though.

I thought I'd add that, as of this weekend, the Cavanaugh Corsair is back up and flying again for the first time in the past five years. Bernie Vasquez performed three test flights with the aircraft yesterday.

[Warbird Kid]

Cavanaugh Flight Museum's FG-1D N451FG (Bu No. 92399) has a jump seat and they were offering rides at an event I attended back in 2015. I can't remember the cost. It has a rear window, so there is at least some visibility. I don't think that one has flown for a few years now, though.

I thought I'd add that, as of this weekend, the Cavanaugh Corsair is back up and flying again for the first time in the past five years. Bernie Vasquez performed three test flights with the aircraft yesterday.

Getting ready to put it on the market? I thought the rumor mill is that Cavanaugh is closing up shop.

[tom roberts]

Didn't 92436 have a second seat when it was with CWH ?

[Lon Moer]

i remember a Corsair crashed at Brown field, CA killing 2, i think it was "Mad Max".

That was Bob Guilford's -7 "Blue Max" (but not Bob flying). Yes, it did have a back seat.


edit; Junior Burchinell's trainer Corsair.

[DH82EH]

Didn't 92436 have a second seat when it was with CWH ?

I believe that is correct Tom.
My understanding is that it was reverted back to stock configuration during its latest rebuild.

[OD/NG]

Does anybody know definitively if Junior Burchinal's two-seat Corsair had dual flight controls? I've read that it did and I've also read that it didn't and only had engine instruments/controls in the rear cockpit.

I've never seen pictures of the rear seat in that airplane, so I don't know if they exist anywhere other than in somebody's personal archive. As far as I know, I don't believe pictures of the interior of the rear cockpit have ever been posted on the internet. Can somebody post pictures of the rear seat?

[Archer]

Slightly off-topic, but this pilot report about Junior Burchinal's operation is highly readable: http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepMustangBurch.html It mentions the Corsair briefly and there is a photo on page 2 or 3, but the rest of the story is about conquering the SNJ on the way to flying his P-51.

[Zac Yates]

Perhaps this old thread will whet some appetites?

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... =3&t=15839

Aha! Thank you Dan. Also, from that thread:

Here's the ones that don't:

Vintage Wings of Canada FG-1D, Rod Lewis FG-1D, CAF FG-1D, Collings Foundation F4U-5NL, Mike George's F4U-5N, ex-Vintage Wings of Canada F4U-4, LSFM F4U-5N, Christophe Jacquard's F4U-4, TFC FG-1D, French F4U-5 disguised as a -7, Jean Salis F4U-5, ex-OFMC FG-1D, and Jerry Yagen's FG-1D. I think thats most of them.

NZ5648 is the former OFMC machine and it has had a jumpseat installed in the past. It's now flying again after six years on the ground and some remedial work (and a great new paint scheme)...but no extra seat.
ZK-COR 20231120 Omaka Zac Yates 29 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[DH82EH]

Nice shot Zac.
AFAIK this is the only Corsair flying with the shortened wing tips.
The Royal Navy did that so they could fit below deck with the wings folded.

Andy

[Taylor Stevenson]

Getting ready to put it on the market? I thought the rumor mill is that Cavanaugh is closing up shop.

No.

[Zac Yates]

Nice shot Zac.
AFAIK this is the only Corsair flying with the shortened wing tips.
The Royal Navy did that so they could fit below deck with the wings folded.

Andy

Thanks Andy, you're too kind!

I didn't realise that! But these aren't FAA tips - Jim Palmer and Pat Landry had planned to race her so clipped and metalised the wings:
NZ5648/ZK-COR at JEM Aviation by Zac Yates, on Flickr

The conversion went no further but I seem to remember reading she was to get an R-3350...

[bdk]

The tips I've seen are micarta and can be unscrewed and removed. Then a smoother closeout can be fashioned.