Vought Corsair Pleasure Flights

[northantsflyer]

Hi All

I know this isn't strictly 'British' but a mate of mine is looking to be able to get some time in a Corsair. Been looking on the web and found flights in Harvards / Spits etc but nothing for a Corsair.

Any ideas gratefully received where I might be able to arrange this ?

Cheers
Scott.

[Paul K]

Unfortunately, there is no such beast as a two-seater Corsair.

[mayagrafix]

If I make out your post correctly, you are looking to rent a Corsair for a pilot friend to fly? if so, my best guess is to contact an Air Show Producer, such as:

The Air Show Network (property of Umbrella Entertainment Group (UEG)) from Carpinteria, California. email: [email protected] or call (805) 684-0155

since its their business to know all things flying. However I agree with Paul K about ever seeing a Corsair two seater (but you never know), if what you're looking for is a limo-ride

[T6flyer]

A number of F4U Corsairs have been converted into two seaters with the passenger sat right behind the pilot. They look stock cept for a black window on each side of the fuselage. Paul Morgan's Sywell based example was allowed to carry passengers when it was on the American register, but when it transferred to the UK, this practise was curtailled.

Only place I reckon you could get a F4U ride is trying Chino in California.

Martin

[Paul K]

Well I never knew that !

[northantsflyer]

Thanks guys, it's for a friend who is an F4U enthusiast, and is building a cockpit in his garage. Sounds like its a non starter, as my budget won't stretch to a california outing !!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris Trott]

Just a suggestion - get him a flight in a Mustang, Spitfire, or something else with a proper second seat. The only Corsair out there I would even consider riding in back on is Bob Odegaard's F2G Super Corsair (located in North Dakota) because all the others have no chance of escape in case of an emergency. With Bob's F2G, it's got a bubble canopy that can be opened far enough (if not jettisoned) to give you at least some chance of escape in case of emergency.

At least with the P-51s and 2-seat Spits you have canopies made for both seats and many times you also have controls and some instruments to potentially do a little flying of your own during the experience.

[Garry Russell]

Perhaps you could ask him nicely not to crash :think: :roll:

Garry

[Chris Trott]

A crash isn't what I'd be worried about. There are much more likely emergencies to happen. Number one is an engine fire on start. Second is a landing gear malfunction or collapse. In both situations, being able to exit the aircraft quickly are a requirement and don't necessarily happen in a situation that would be considered a "crash". Another time when getting out quickly is important is fumes in the cockpit or (even worse) fire bottle discharge after an electrical fire in the cockpit. As the back seater usually doesn't have supplemental oxygen available, it is imperative for them to be able to exit the aircraft quickly to get fresh air in both cases to prevent asphyxiation.

[T6flyer]

Talking about the two seat conversions, I've just come across this thread on the planetalk forum:

http://forum.planetalk.net/viewtopic.php?t=6052

Martin