The unmistakable Corsair, more affectionately known as 'The Bent Wing Bird' but also known as the 'Ensign Eliminator' when new Navy pilots where introduced to this thoroughbred and tried to land on a Flat-top for the first time. This little hurdle of managing not to crash when landing on, was solved by copying the curved approach used by the RAF in the Spitfire,
Gary Great pics I see the red one has a tear-drop canopy. Was this standard on any of the later versions, or is this a cut-down racing version? Adrian
That's an F2G Super Corsair, AR. Very rare bird. While developed as a military aircraft, only 10 were built and there were some control issues Bob Odegaard owns the red F2G and one of the other two survivors. They're powered by a big thumping 28-cylinder, four row Pratt IIRC (insert grunts here!). Cook Cleland flew "57" in a Thompson Trophy in the late 40s and another similar race when air racing was reborn. Exciting stuff. Truly awesome machine. I reckon it's one of the most significant restorations of the turn of the century.
Would that be the Pratt & Whitney R-4360 "Corncob" as fitted to the Hughes HK-1 "Spuce Goose"? Awesome device, gave about 3500hp, the ultimate in piston engine design. The rear cylinders would have overheated of course, but in short-range racing aircraft you would get away with it.
That's the one, AR. How nice would it be to be within earshot of that when it starts up?! Oooh, go beyond that and be in its presence on a fast flyby. I remember I used to have a CD (leant to a mate, never seen it since) called Round Sounds, I think, which was just recordings of radial engines. There was one section of Reno racers and while listening to one idle, the background records this thing approaching at high speed and it just roars passed. Only goes for about three seconds of the track but it sounded quite Merlin-ish and it was moving. Fricking unreal! Haven't listened to the CD for 8 years and it's still a great memory!
Here's a photo that I took of the Super Corsair at Chino. (I admit, I got a bit artistic with the shot. ) View attachment 1265 Cheers Owen
I've seen 'Bob's racer at Oshkosh twice and while at the show they did some demonstration air racing. Of course they had to basicaly keep withing the confine of the airfield so couldnt really open up those motors, but oh.....the noise....fair sets the hairs on the back of your neck standing to attention !!! Here's a link to Bob's website.. Odegaard Aviation Inc. Bob is also a gentleman and will always spare the time for a quick chat. And I think 'Duggy' is brilliant !.
