On Oct. 12 the Museum of Flight based in Seattle, WA makes big changes to the Great Gallery. The Goodyear F2G-1 Super Corsair will be moved out of its corner spot in the Great Gallery to a new home at the Museum’s Restoration Center. Replacing it will be the Lockheed Model 10-E Electra, and joining it in the gallery’s row of Golden Age of Aviation aircraft will be Stinson Model O. The gallery will be open on moving day, so come watch the activities.
The Museum’s F2G-1 Corsair, Navy Bureau of Aeronautics number 88454, was delivered in 1945. As the first production F2G-1, it spent most of its career at the Navy Air Test Center at Patuxent River, it then went into storage at Norfolk, Virginia, the Corsair with only 246 hours flight time.
In the early 1960s Navy title passed to the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico, Virginia. Following display aboard the aircraft carrier Intrepid during New York’s bicentennial observance in 1976, the F2G was barged back to Norfolk. Subsequently, the museum traded the Corsair and a Douglas Skyraider to Doug Champlin in exchange for a Dauntless dive bomber. Champlin kept the Corsair at Enid, Oklahoma, until he opened his museum in Mesa, Arizona, in 1981, when former Thompson Trophy racer Ron Puckett flew the F2G to Falcon Field. Subsequently the rare Corsair came to Seattle with the rest of the Champlin collection in 2003.
From the first primitive glider designed by the Wright brothers to the stealthy “Blackbird” capable of Mach 3 and an 80,000 ft ceiling – the museum has assembled a massive collection of flying machines. Situated at Boeing Field in Seattle just west of I-5, it is easy to find (just 10 minutes from downtown or SeaTac airport).
The museum is spread throughout a number of buildings, including the main exhibit hall (pictured here), the “Red Barn” which was the original manufacturing facility for Boeing, the new wing featuring “Personal Courage”, and also the Airpark across the street which showcases a number of prototype aircraft (747 and 737) and rarities such as the first jet propelled “Air Force One” and a Concorde jet (1 of only 4 shown outside Europe). This museum could take many days to view properly – it results in having many good reasons to return on future trips to Seattle! Admission is very reasonable. It is also currently included with the purchase of a Seattle “CityPass”, which can provide up to a 50% discount (if all of the CityPass venues are visited). This is a definite “Do Not Miss” item for your next Seattle itinerary.
For the entire aircraft collection click HERE.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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