Among the many great videos produced by the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum for their YouTube channel is an ongoing series of short videos highlighting the restoration of the FG-1D Corsair that arrived at the New York City museum in 2024 on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum. More information about this aircraft can be found in previous VAN articles HERE and HERE.
The museum runs a vibrant and informative YouTube channel to introduce the public to the museum, its exhibits, events, and behind-the-scenes activity, part of which is a series which shows interesting details about the Corsair they are restoring for static display abord the USS Intrepid. The purpose of these short videos is to spread awareness about the Corsair and provide public education on this aircraft. The first video of the series was the arrival of the Corsair to the museum, with footage of the relocation and assembly of the aircraft, which can be seen below:
Next is a video highlighting the Corsair as the museum’s “Aircraft of the Month,” with comments by Kate Good, Associate Curator of Aerospace, and Danielle Swanson, Director of Collections. Here it is specified that the aircraft was in very good condition when it arrived and only needs some minor metalwork and a new paint job before it is ready for display. It will eventually bear the markings of “Ace in a day” Alfred Lerch, a celebrated Corsair pilot from Intrepid’s VF-10 squadron.
Next is a video with great close up details of the aircraft with comments from Peter Torraca, Manager of Aircraft Restoration, on the condition of the aircraft and what work the restoration team plans to do.
Next is a video with details about the restoration of the Corsair’s tailhook, with comments by Restoration Specialist Nick Riedel, showing how they are using a mockup pipe to visually restore the tailhook to an accurate appearance.
A video describing the painting of the wing panel is commented on by Richard Skolnick, another Restoration Specialist.
In the last video currently in the series, Peter Torraca and Nick Reidel talk about the process of the sheet metal work they are doing on the aircraft to repair the spots where it was hung from the ceiling in its previous display, and covering the gunports.
Stay turned to the Intrepid Museum’s YouTube channel to see when new videos come out. The Corsair is set to be ready for display for the public in Spring 2025.
