This is my lucky day! Had a quasi-religious experience while driving home today in Kennesaw, GA. I looked in the sky to see what I thought was a Corsair approaching McCollum Airfield, which was just a few miles away. Of course, I followed (and my wife tolerated the detour).
When we got to the airport, I found I had been correct! A Korean war era F4u-5 was sitting nicely in front of the canteen. The plane was piloted by a fellow from Texas who explained that he had found the bird sitting on a pole in Argentina.
He’s done a terrific job restoring it.
I thought I’d share a few of my many pics with you. Hope you enjoy:
Last Oct I was working on a Saturday afternoon at a small private field. I was right in the middle of doing a compression check on an IO-320 when I heard the unmistaken rumble of a radial. Beat the feet out of the hanger and there, off to the southeast is a dot which is rapidly growing. It’s a Turkey (TBM/TBF) at maybe 500 ft. Crossed midfield headed northwest. Unfortunatly he didn’t deviate from his course and there isn’t an airport within 60 miles in that direction. Made my day though.
Good one, Mark…
Make sure you tell your wife how much you appreciated her alowing the little detour…great pics, man. That Corsair sure looks to be in fantastic shape.
This Corsair is based at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston,TX. I’m lucky enough to live a couple of hours away and get to see her at airshows in the area. I took these photos at the LSFM. It is a very beautiful aircraft.
Great pics, thanks! Kewl nose art as well. I had a similiar experience a few years back. I was fishing in a local stream that is near the county airport. Heard that throaty rumble of a Merlin…cause you NEVER forget it once you hear it…looked up and here she comes gear and flaps down. Well I did the impossible and seemingy walked, no rn, on water. Called my fiance, now wife, she drove 40 minutes to bring a camera. In the interim I got freindly with the ground crew.
The bird is Crazy Horse. Based out of Kissimminee Fl. It is a TF-51. Originally it was a Dallas built P51D. Service in the Pacific, came home and was converted. This was in 1994. t that time an hour long flight with video record was a cool $1,600.
I have some photos of me in the pit…WOW what a rush…
I once “impressed” my co-workers at a picnic by scrambling out into a clearing to point wildly into the sky in time for a Mustang to cruise over at the legal low limit (whatever his altimeter may have told him). It was the sound of that Merlin engine that got me going. They all thought I’d had a bit too much of the foamy stuff, but once you’ve heard a Merlin in full cry, nothing else comes close (unless it’s a Lanc…). Round engines get me outside as well to give a look- one time it was Mr. Benjamin’s GeeBee. Keep your eyes peeled…
MAN!!! I worked in Kennesaw from 1997 - 1998, and never got to see a Corsair. Although, my brother bought me a biplane ride (with STICK TIME!!!) at the little airport there, McCollum Field. It was in an N3N, which looks just like a Stearman, but was built by the Naval Aircraft Factory. Cost my brother $90, but it was worth it. I wonder if that guy is still there selling rides? That plane (the N3N) looked like it just rolled off the showroom floor.
that is a BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL airplane friend!! thanks for those wonderful photos!! i got one of those about 99% complete and seemed to have lost some parts during a move!! not those markings, but the glossy scheme. later.
Getting to see restored warbirds like that is a rare treat, to be enjoyed to the fullest when oportunity presents itself. You owe your wife a big hug & kiss for the side trip.
I was driving to my favorite trout stream (ok the only trout stream in Ohio) and while passing a small airport saw a sweet little yellow Staggerwing coming in on final. Also there’s a little lake I fish that’s on the glide path for Rickenbacker airport… when the Ohio ANG KC-135’s are doing touch and goes they come over close enough you feel like you could touch them. Nothing like doing two of your favorite things at once… fishing and watching aircraft come over.
There’s nothing like that, is there? Hearing or seeing something like that screaming over you, then following it until you find it sitting on the local ramp, gleaming in the sun.
I’d donate various parts of my male anatomy to science for the opportunity to fly one of those (or a -47 or a -38). So if anyone’s in need of anything like that and has a plane-ride to trade, message me.
