Wed, Nov 10, 2010

F4U-1 Corsair Salvaged From Lake Michigan

"Birdcage" Corsair Had Been In The Water Since 1943

A rare F4U-1 "Birdcage" Corsair was raised from the bottom of Lake Michigan on Monday. It will eventually be displayed at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, FL.

"Birdcage" Corsair U.S. Military Photo

But before that can happen, there is a lot of work to be done.

Television station WKRG reports that the Corsair has been at the bottom of the lake since it went down on a training mission on July 28th, 1943. Video from the station shows the plane being slowly brought to the lake's surface by a crane and placed on its landing gear at a marina in Waukeagan, IL. The aircraft is largely intact, but certainly shows the effects of nearly 70 years in the water.

The aircraft was called a "Birdcage" Corsair because of the framing around the canopy. Pilots at the time thought it resembled a bird cage.

The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is supporting the restoration of the rare early Corsair.

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F4U-1 Corsair Salvaged From Lake Michigan

"Birdcage" Corsair Had Been In The Water Since 1943

FMI: www.navalaviationmuseum.org

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