Here the aircraft flew, oddly, in WWII-era Royal New Zealand Air Force markings. The Corsair remained in the Friedkin family collection until January 1988, when they sold it to the Old Flying Machine Company based in Duxford, England.
WARBIRDS DRIGGS SERIES
By the time the series ended in April 1978, the fighter had appeared in 35 of 36 episodes. Less than a year later, this Corsair made its television debut on Flying Misfits, the two-hour pilot episode for the television series which became Baa Baa Black Sheep.
In November 1957, the legendary character, Bob Bean, purchased the fighter for $1,500.99 and stored it outside for the next 19 years until Tom Friedkin purchased the aircraft on November 19, 1975. The Navy finally struck her from their books at Litchfield Park in July 1956 with 1,798 hours on the airframe.īut the scrap man’s torch was not in her future. In the final years of its career, ‘359 served with VF-74 at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island, VX-2 at NAS Chincoteague, Virginia, and Reserve squadrons in San Diego, California and Olathe, Kansas. After refurbishment in San Diego and Jacksonville, ‘359 was assigned to VF-44 Hornets at NAS Jacksonville, Florida on January 28, 1953, and saw extensive action from the decks of USS Lake Champlain (CV 39) and USS Boxer (CV 21) during the closing months of the Korean War. On October 18, 1950, the fighter was assigned to VMT-2 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro, California, thus beginning a two-year stint with the U.S. In March 1950, the Corsair went into storage once again, this time in Litchfield Park, Arizona. She remained with this unit until May 1949, by which time the squadron had relocated to NAS Jacksonville, Florida. After a four-month stint in the pool and FASRON 7 at NAS North Island in San Diego, ‘359 finally received a squadron assignment when it was attached to the Hellrazors of VA-13A at North Island in April 1948. However, the fighter flew into storage at NAS Tillamook, Oregon, and then Santa Ana, California. Cobblestone Hotel and Suites - Victor - specific aircraft, Vought F4U-4 BuNo 97359, departed EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 with the “Best Navy Fighter” award, but its military history dates to March 12, 1946, when the U.S.The Pines Motel- Guest Haus, Driggs - 20.Grand Targhee Resort, Alta - 1-800-TARGHEE - 20% HOTEL DISCOUNT for Registered Artists.Driggs has a small airport with a 7300'x75' runway that can handle corporate jets and offers a full-service FBO, Warbirds Museum, restaurant, and heated hangars. Not to mention fishermen in the summer, and moose in the winter.ĭaily flights from many major cities fly into Idaho Falls Regional Airport (1 and 1/2 hours away) or into Jackson Hole, WY (45 minutes away). Meandering through the middle of the valley is the Teton River, creating an environment essential for the Sandhill Cranes and other migrating birds who pass through Teton Valley on their journeys. The Big Hole Range lies to the west of the valley adding a mountain skyline to vibrant sunsets. The valley's history is rich with stories of Native American councils, fur trapping rendezvous, homesteaders, farmers, ranchers, mountain explorers, and more recently skiers, fishermen, climbers, hikers and painters! The Teton Mountain Range, east of Driggs, is home to Grand Teton National Park and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area, which can be accessed on foot or horseback. Driggs is centrally located in Teton Valley, about 30 miles from Jackson Hole, Wyoming at an elevation of 6,229 ft. Teton Valley Idaho lies directly west of Grand Teton National Park, and is part of the Greater Yellowstone region, rich in scenic wonders and magnificent wildlife.