Corsair

[Naki]

Popped down to the Classic Flyers Museum on Saturday to join up as a member but it was closed (the planes outside were accessible though) for a
b!@#$% fashion show .... but parked outside down the road was the Corsair! Here are some shots of it. Sorry they are a bit rushed as I was in a restricted area. Andrew I thought would like these since you appear to be a big Corsair fan.

I am told the Corsair is for sale so heres hoping it stays here in NZ (since it is a genuine RNZAF example despite the current markings). Anybody got a spare $2.5m? Maybe we can start up a syndicate - I'll chip in $100. Maybe Peter Jackson can diversify from WW1 and add it to his collection.

I also understand that the Mustang (ZK-TAF) in Auckland is also for sale or at least a share anyway.

The Hunter at Classic Flyers is also for sale for $300,000 - a bargain compared to the Corsair.

Good news for us Taurangaites (bad news for Aucklanders) is that the A-37, a Rapide, a Dove and a Tiger Moth are on their way down to be based in the Classic Flyers Museum as they have been kicked out of their hanger at Ardmore.

I also got to go through the Heron and sit in the cockpit of both the Heron and Sabre (well my six year old son got to sit in Sabre). Sorry no photos though as the battery went flat on the camera - hopefully will get down there again soon for more photos.













and one photo of the Agcat which offers rides around the City



Cheers

Paul

[chopper_nut]

Im a bit miffed that the Corsair hasnt been repainted. I saw it in the UK in 1996 with Keith Skilling flying it in its Kiwi scheme and it looks 10 times better. I hope your teaching your son to appreciate the older aircraft while they are still around

[ardypilot]

Love the wings on that thing- thanks for posting Paul!

[Zöltuger]

Anybody got a spare $2.5m? Maybe we can start up a syndicate - I'll chip in $100.

I've got $10.10 in my wallet, I shall donate it to the cause.

[JonARNZ]

Oh, The Corsair Great shots!!

[Naki]

Here are some more shots

[Alex]

Great pics Paul, and I've just figured out what that paper says, *squint squint*.

Alex

[Charl]

I'm not overly impressed with the paint scheme that thing wears, to be honest.
But what a machine!
That prop...what, 10 feet diameter?
It's just the Business.

[K5054NZ]

I'm not overly impressed with the paint scheme that thing wears, to be honest.

I know! I mean, the OFMC had it repainted especially for its appearance at WoW 04 as a Kiwi machine, then James Slade gets his hands on it and repaints it as a Yankee one. Cos you know, there aren't enough USN-pasinted F4Us in the world already .

Hopefully whichever Kiwi buys it they repaint it in RNZAF marks. If he sells the P-40E and that goes overseas too I'm going to be *really* p*ss*d. What's the story with that still being painted as a pseudo-Flying Tigers aircraft? Heck, just change the Taiwanese stars to RNZAF roundels and you have a close-to-authentic Kiwi SWPA scheme!


DAMMIT! IT'D BETTER STAY HERE!!!!!!


Nice pics BTW, and your son's a lucky wee devil!


PS - $18.10.


EDIT - Emailed Graham Orphan of Classic Wings mag about the Corsair, said I'd glady donate that $18.10 to the cause.

[FlyingKiwi]

The Corsair is a beaut of a plane, which is more than can be said for the Ag-Cat.

[Naki]

mmm why are my last shots on my home computer sideways whilst at work it is the right way up?

I am pretty sure that the Corsair (and the Kittyhawk) were painted in their current scheme in Europe for the Brietling fighter team (they also appeared for while in their RNZAF colours). That aside it would be great to get both a/c back in their proper RNZAF colours.

Okay we have $128.20 we need just another $2,499,871.80

[A185F]

Don't count on it being sold anytime soon. The idea has been on the cards for like a year now but minds have been changed several times plus it is held in a trust so it won't be eas easy as 123 to let it go. I very much doubt the p40 will go (if any at all it will be the corsair) because when (WHEN) adventure aviation comes out it can make itself a bit of money or atleast do a bit more flying. The problem with these planes is the cost of running them, the corsair is apparently in the vicinity of 10k per hour and the p40 around 5-6k so who can afford to pay for a single seat (corsair) to fly howeverwhen (WHEN) adventure aviation (part 149 ?) comes in then you can put a paying punter in the back. SO because these planes are not flying, they cost shite loads just to keep airworty so who wants to pay heaps for a non flying plane.

I know! I mean, the OFMC had it repainted especially for its appearance at WoW 04 as a Kiwi machine, then James Slade gets his hands on it and repaints it as a Yankee one. Cos you know, there aren't enough USN-pasinted F4Us in the world already

The OSRC had it before WOW 04 and it was in the current USN scheme. The nz 648 was on it with OFMC till the early 00s (i think 02) when they painted it into its current scheme. WOW 04 was just temp paint !! just like the mustang an catalina at classic fighters 05.


As I said, don't count on either being sold just yet. rumors are only that. There are still plenty more classic aircraft in the pipeline for OSRC including bigger ones which im sure some of you know but otherwise can't let any cats out of bags

[Naki]

I guess that is good news

A Mitchell is suppose to be on the way - see their web site

[A185F]

Yea thats one

[Naki]

Actually just checked their web site and couldn't find anything on there anymore about the Mitchell - it did mention the Hind - that would be also be very nice to see flying.

[A185F]

Its under "The adventures" or something like that. But I havent heard much of that a/c for the past couple of months, will be finding out the latest soon.

[K5054NZ]

Hmmm........the Mitchell will be an exciting addition when it eventually happens. Can anyone tell us the latest?

I can't help feeling that a Hudson or Ventura would be vastly more appropriate, though.

[A185F]

Hmmm........the Mitchell will be an exciting addition when it eventually happens. Can anyone tell us the latest?

I can't help feeling that a Hudson or Ventura would be vastly more appropriate, though.

Looking at some time this year if the sale goes through I believe. One needs to look at the price of a b25 by comparison to a hudson and the fact that there are very few flying and even fewer (if any) for sale HOWEVER !!!!!!!!!!! keep your eyes out cos in a number of years they MAY just be one flying in nz skys again. Any more is also on the hush hush but not the same place...

[K5054NZ]

Looking at some time this year if the sale goes through I believe. One needs to look at the price of a b25 by comparison to a hudson and the fact that there are very few flying and even fewer (if any) for sale HOWEVER !!!!!!!!!!! keep your eyes out cos in a number of years they MAY just be one flying in nz skys again. Any more is also on the hush hush but not the same place...

A185F, can I be your bestest best friend? I love having an ear to the ground (sky?) when it comes to warbird imports etc, and you seem to be very much in the know.

It's great!

I know, from memory there's only one Hudson flying anywhere (with the Temora crew in Oz) and I haven't seen a flying Ventura in years, your argument is well said.


Darned cheap medium bombers ...


Maybe James could get the Lodestar from Wanaka (or wherever it is now), mock it up as a Ventura!

[A185F]

Haha let pm me if you want to know a little more. I may be able to squeek of something to a fellow enthusiast but not on the internet. you never know who's reading