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Re: Rare Grumman F3F-2 to Sonoma County
Author: Tom Moungovan
Date: 01-03-2010 - 07:10
Jim W. Wrote:
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> Tom, In 63 and 65 it was my dad's first self
> designed and build highwing single engine 4 place
> called the BlueBird was first flown June of 55. It
> is still flying under its 5th owner. Airplane No.
> 2 is a high wing twin 5 place with 2 150hp lycs
> called the Wickham twin, first flown april of 68
> while I was in Danang. There was a acticle about
> the twin in the Sport Aviation Nov 2009 issue. One
> other thing as a young aircraft engineer while
> working for Chance Vought in the late 30's, my dad
> designed the original landing gear down lock link
> for the prototype Corsair. My dad never understood
> why I liked trains more that planes and I don't
> either.
I'm impressed! Especially seeing as the one is still flying...says a lot about the design
and construction.
Now, about the Corsair. Your dad had a part in designing what many consider to have been
the best recip fighter ever built. I know 2 surviving Marine pilots and ironically, both
were in the same Squadron (VMF-223) and flew together, Dick Truesdale and James Van Ry.
Dick told me a number of stories and one of them was how Charles Lindberg had helped the
Army aviators get more range out of the P-38 and then happened to visit the Marines later.
The Marines were quite proud of how they were carrying 1000 lb. bombs under their Corsairs
until Lindberg told them that they were not using the airplane to its capacity. So they
came up with different bomb racks and were able to take off with a 2000 lb. load. I asked
Dick if it was any problem and he laughed and said that they blew a lot of tires while
taxiing out to the runway because of the added weight, but the Corsair proved to be a great
ground support aircraft.
Someday, if it works out, I'd sure like to meet with you and talk. You and your father
have led interesting lives. Thank you for the info here.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tom, In 63 and 65 it was my dad's first self
> designed and build highwing single engine 4 place
> called the BlueBird was first flown June of 55. It
> is still flying under its 5th owner. Airplane No.
> 2 is a high wing twin 5 place with 2 150hp lycs
> called the Wickham twin, first flown april of 68
> while I was in Danang. There was a acticle about
> the twin in the Sport Aviation Nov 2009 issue. One
> other thing as a young aircraft engineer while
> working for Chance Vought in the late 30's, my dad
> designed the original landing gear down lock link
> for the prototype Corsair. My dad never understood
> why I liked trains more that planes and I don't
> either.
I'm impressed! Especially seeing as the one is still flying...says a lot about the design
and construction.
Now, about the Corsair. Your dad had a part in designing what many consider to have been
the best recip fighter ever built. I know 2 surviving Marine pilots and ironically, both
were in the same Squadron (VMF-223) and flew together, Dick Truesdale and James Van Ry.
Dick told me a number of stories and one of them was how Charles Lindberg had helped the
Army aviators get more range out of the P-38 and then happened to visit the Marines later.
The Marines were quite proud of how they were carrying 1000 lb. bombs under their Corsairs
until Lindberg told them that they were not using the airplane to its capacity. So they
came up with different bomb racks and were able to take off with a 2000 lb. load. I asked
Dick if it was any problem and he laughed and said that they blew a lot of tires while
taxiing out to the runway because of the added weight, but the Corsair proved to be a great
ground support aircraft.
Someday, if it works out, I'd sure like to meet with you and talk. You and your father
have led interesting lives. Thank you for the info here.
