Wildcat arrives at Air Zoo (1 Viewer)

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

T Bolt

Colonel
13,238
2,950
Mar 24, 2010
Chicago, Illinois
FM-2 Wildcat 57039 arrived at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo last week for restoration while I happened to be there at the museum and took these pictures.
The Wildcat crashed into Lake Michigan in 200' of water on Dec. 28th 1944 due to engine failure during take off from the training carrier USS Sable. The pilot Ensign William Forbes was fished out of the water and later finished his aircraft carrier qualification.
The aircraft was located in the mid 1990's and recovered on Dec 7th 2013. It was recently displayed at AirVenture 2013

P1020315.JPG
P1020456.JPG
P1020463.JPG
P1020465.JPG
P1020466.JPG
P1020478.JPG
P1020481.JPG
P1020484.JPG
P1020485.JPG
P1020487.JPG
P1020488.JPG
P1020489.JPG
P1020490.JPG
P1020499.JPG
P1020504.JPG
P1020506.JPG
 
Last edited:
Just a little paint and she's ready to go! :)
 
They should have it looking like new. Here's a Dauntless they have there which was also pulled out of Lake Michigan
 

Attachments

  • P9033070.JPG
    P9033070.JPG
    115.4 KB · Views: 136
Ooh, look! What a powerful looking truck, and it's got a crane!!
Great pics Glenn, and I agree, it really is amazing, the way dedicated restorers bring things back to 'as new' condition. Strange, it doesn't look as bad without the wings - and the barnacles kinda suit it .....
 
I like they way they've put plastic over the cockpit to keep the water out!

Look forward to seeing the restoration progress.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back