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ISSUE 23 - July 2008
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GULL-WINGED & GLORIOUS

By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
Roslin, Ontario, Canada

Vintage Wings FG-1D Corsair taxiing in after it’s first flight
with both the museum and pilot Paul Kissmann.

Baa-Baa-Blacksheep. Those of us who have been around aviation and airshows for a while will know or will have heard of the “Black Sheep Squadron.” They were a rag-tag bunch of US Marine aviators who flew Corsairs in the South Pacific during WWII against the Japanese. Though the Corsair was built as a carrier-based airplane, it was equally effective as a land-based aircraft as well.

Vintage Wings Corsair tucked in the hangar.

Many people are not aware that the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm flew these aircraft and Canadian Naval fighter pilots were part of the group who flew them from carriers in both theatres of war. The Corsair was manoeuvrable, fast, and deadly. In the hands of a skilled pilot, the Corsair was to be both feared and respected.

The Corsair sits high off the ground. Here you can see the flaps in the down position, left. Taxiing out on its maiden flight for both Vintage Wings and pilot Paul Kissmann

Vintage Wings of Canada out of Gatineau, Quebec owns a Goodyear FG-1D Corsair that was purchased in order to let the public know some history of Canadian Naval Aviators who flew with Britain’s Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm. One of those naval aviators was Lt. Robert Hampton Gray, VC*, DFC**.

Take-off from Gatineau, Quebec on it’s first flight. Paul Kissmann left the Gatineau airspace for about 30 minutes of airwork before coming back for several passes to show off the Corsair.

Lt Hampton Gray, or “Hammie” as he was affectionately known, flew from HMS Formidable, a Royal Navy Carrier. Lt. Hampton Gray was shot down during the last few days of the war flying a Corsair against the Japanese Navy. He was attacking a Japanese warship when he was hit after releasing his bombs and hitting and sinking one of the ships. Lt. Hampton Gray was killed in the crash but was posthumously awarded the VC for his actions.

Showing off the beautiful lines of the gull-winged bird.

Though this airplane arrived in Gatineau with US markings, it was detailed in the livery of 1841 Sqn, Royal Navy and dedicated to Lt. Hampton Gray. It had its first flight with Vintage Wings during their open house on June 7, 2008. It was also the first flight in the aircraft for pilot Paul Kissmann who did several wonderful passes after spending half an hour ‘practicing’ and getting to know the airplane.

Graceful in the sky, you can see the shape of the wings here,
a front view, left, and a rear view, right

The FG-1D Corsair has a P&W R-2800-9, 18 cylinder engine that offers it a top speed of 417mph and a service ceiling of 41,000 feet. Depending on configuration, It can carry a load of almost 10,000lbs of bombs. This aircraft also flew in the TV series “Baa-Baa Blacksheep” and appeared in 22 episodes.

The Corsair lined up for landing, seen above a RCAF North American Harvard. Just after touch-down, the Corsair rolls-out along the runway before taxiing back.

Vintage Wings of Canada flies many fabulous warbirds including a Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIVe, a Hawker Hurricane Mk IV, a Mustang Mk IV among others. See www.vintagewings.ca for more information about their aircraft and their flying season/schedule.

Turning around and taxiing back after landing,
you can see the Royal Navy markings of the VW Corsair.

VW Corsair
VW Corsair
VW Corsair

*VC – Victoria Cross
**DFC – Distinguished Flying Cross

Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor, Photographer & Poet
thestickandrudder@sympatico.ca

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