Two weeks. If you asked anyone at the the CAF Dixie Wing when the Corsair would have been back, two weeks was the answer. At any given time. In fact it almost became a hangar’s joke , ” We are the Ghost Squadron so we have a ghost airplane” or ” Do we still have a Corsair?” these were the comments you could hear at the Wing for a log period of time. The CAF Dixie Wing sent the the FG-1D Corsair to Ezell Aviation almost twelve months ago to date ( Oct 13, 2012) and what it seemed a routine maintenance maintenance operation it turned out to be an “odyssey”. Ezell Avition worked on re-skinning the cowl flaps , wing flaps , re-manufactured some panels but importantly they replaced the upper gear legs a new fuel pump just to name a few of the repairs. The cylinders were sent to Alabama to a shop specialized in chroming and that was what it caused the enormous delay to the original “delivery” date. Philip Beegle, the Dixie Wing’s airshow and rides program director said: “We are very excited to have the Corsair back, it took a while but finally we can put her to work. We have her scheduled to appear in few airshows before the end of the season.”
The Corsair flew back to Georgia- via Dallas TX -Meridian, MI and landed at Falcon Filed around noon today. Former F-16 pilot John Currenti flew the airplane back to Peachtree City, GA, below you can watch a video of the arrival.
The CAF’s FG-1D “530” is one of the original airframes that launched the Confederate Air Force (now Commemorative Air Force). This airplane is not only historically significant, but it is thoroughly engrained in the CAF’s heritage and has been one of the busiest aircraft in the history of the CAF’s stable. The CAF Dixie Wing at Falcon Field was selected to become the new home for the FG-1D “530” by the leadership team of the CAF in August of 2012.
The airplane is scheduled to appear in the upcoming Great Georgia Airshow on Oct. 11-12-13 then it will go to Monroe, NC for the Warbirds Over Monroe Airshow on Now. 8-9-10. A few more flybys then it will return to Georgia just in the time to be one of the main attractions for the Aviation Photography Workshop organized by 3g Aviation Media and hosted by the Dixie Wing on Nov. 15-16-17.
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.
On the 10th of June of this year, I mailed a check for the upkeep and maintenance of your F4U Corsair. I was informed that if I sent a certain amount I could receive an F-4U Corsair Cap, You have already cashed the check and it is over 2-months. Could you please tell me when I will be receiving the cap? Thank You!
Don Frieze
16610 Firebrick Dr.
Parker, CO 80134-3020
Thanks for writing in Don, but perhaps you would have more success in resolving your problem by contacting the Dixie Wing directly, rather than through this website. Best of luck in a successful outcome, and thank you for supporting warbird operations!