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Re: Rare Grumman F3F-2 to Sonoma County
Author: Tom Moungovan
Date: 01-01-2010 - 13:36
NormSchultze Wrote:
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> This is the former Lone Star Flight Museum bird
> that was "drowned" when Hurricane Ike visited.
> It hasn't been flown in years.
I just now got home from the airport and was able to see the Grumman. When I had heard
"storm damage", I expected a basket case. Not so, Grumman had anodized most of the aluminum
and it was washed out twice after the storm. What little damage there is is largely confined
to the leading edge of one wing. It may not have flown for years, but I'd bet money that
won't be the case now. Prop and the Wright engine are being rebuilt. This is a really
beautiful machine and was assigned to Marine Squadron VMF-2 at one time.
V= heavier than air
M= Marine
F= fighting
If I'm correct, this was one of 3 F3F's that flew into a hillside in Hawaii and was later
rebuilt.
Even with the rotten weather today, there was some flying activity today at Sonoma Valley
Airport...the P-40N was up for about 30 minutes along with a replica Bleriot, a Cessna 195,
2 Globe Swifts, an Aeronca Champ and others.
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is the former Lone Star Flight Museum bird
> that was "drowned" when Hurricane Ike visited.
> It hasn't been flown in years.
I just now got home from the airport and was able to see the Grumman. When I had heard
"storm damage", I expected a basket case. Not so, Grumman had anodized most of the aluminum
and it was washed out twice after the storm. What little damage there is is largely confined
to the leading edge of one wing. It may not have flown for years, but I'd bet money that
won't be the case now. Prop and the Wright engine are being rebuilt. This is a really
beautiful machine and was assigned to Marine Squadron VMF-2 at one time.
V= heavier than air
M= Marine
F= fighting
If I'm correct, this was one of 3 F3F's that flew into a hillside in Hawaii and was later
rebuilt.
Even with the rotten weather today, there was some flying activity today at Sonoma Valley
Airport...the P-40N was up for about 30 minutes along with a replica Bleriot, a Cessna 195,
2 Globe Swifts, an Aeronca Champ and others.
