RNZAF FG-1D Corsair Flies Again - photos on blog - click here

NEW ZEALAND'S LAST SURVIVING FG-1D CORSAIR HAS FLOWN AGAIN

September 2, 2023 Vintage Aviation News Warbird Restorations 0

Photo: Alex Mitchell, Historical Aviation Film Unit

Via Historical Aviation Film Unit

On September 1st, the ex-RNZAF FG-1D Corsair NZ5648, previously owned and operated by the Old Stick and Rudder Company flew from Hood Aerodrome in Masterton to Omaka Aerodrome near Blenheim. The aircraft has not been seen in the air for a number of years and Kiwi fans of the aircraft feared it may never see the wind beneath its wings again. However, the Corsair is now at Omaka Aerodrome under the attentive care of JEM Aviation, and over the next few weeks will be undergoing a thorough schedule of maintenance to ensure it’s ready for the upcoming New Zealand airshow display season.

Photo: Alex Mitchell, Historical Aviation Film Unit

The aircraft was constructed as an FG-1D by Goodyear and taken on strength/charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 88391. On August 17, 1945, it was taken on strength/charge by the Royal New Zealand Air Force with s/n NZ5648. ​ A complete history of the airplane can be found HERE, courtesy of Aero Visuals.

Royal New Zealand Air Force Corsair fighter planes flying over Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, during World War II. Photographed in 1944 by an unidentified photographer. Photo via National Library of New Zealand

In 1942, the threat of attack seemed real, the city of Darwin was bombed, New Guinea invaded and Japanese reconnaissance aircraft overflew Auckland and Wellington. The New Zealand Government hurriedly formed 488’s battle-experienced pilots into the RNZAF’s first fighter unit, the No. 14 Squadron. As the British Government was unable to supply the aircraft needed and requested by New Zealand in 1942, negotiations between the United States and New Zealand Governments took place, and a Mutual Aid Agreement (Lease/Lend) was signed.  The RNZAF then began to receive supplies of Corsairs. n total there were 237 F4U-1’s and 127 F4U-1D’s used by the RNZAF during the WWII.

This first flight was a sanctioned ferry flight to reposition the aircraft from its previous location in Masterton to an airfield with an appropriate engineering base. According to the Historical Aviation Film Unit, it appears that Auckland businessman Mike Jones has purchased the aircraft and that he has every intention of keeping the aircraft flying in New Zealand.

​For video and more details on this exciting development, click the video below. Make sure to visit Historical Aviation Film Unit, for more historic aviation videos.