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Aircraft History
Constructors Number 26E-397. Assigned to the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 87th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Assigned to pilot Peter A. McDermott, who nicknamed it "Brooklyn Bum 2nd". Crew Chief was James W. O'Mara and Armor Sgt John M. Conway.
On the left side of the cockpit was painted the nickname, pilot's name: 'Peter A. McDermott' and nine bomb markings. Also, a shamrock marking on the door, with white tail and white leading edges of the wings.
Stricken from charge on May 21, 1945 and abandoned at Tadji Airfield.
Wreckage
Remained 'in situ' until the early 1970s, with the propeller removed and armament missing.
Recovery
Recovered by Charles Darby and Monty Armstrong from Tadji in 1974 during
the salvage operation for Yesterday's
Air Force (MARC).
Transported to New Zealand and stored by Monty Armstrong in Auckland, from 1974-1976.
Storage and Display Restoration & Resold
Sold to the Australian Aerospace Museum,
Melbourne, Victoria where it was restored to static display as "Brooklyn
Bum 2nd" from 1982-1988. Next, displayed at Air
World in 1989.
Export to United States
Next, the aircraft was sold
to Don Whittington in Florida, who owned it from 1989 - 1991.
Afterwards,
it was sold to the Santa Monica Museum of Flying where
it was displayed from 1992 - 1994. While on display, it was painted with yellow colored tail and leading edge of wings, instead of white.
When that museum disbanded, it was
sold to The Fighter
Collection,
but first sent to the Fighter Rebuilders / Planes of Fame for restoration to airworthy condition. At Fighter
rebuilders, it was under restoration from 1994 - 2004.
First Flight
Registered as N793QG June 10, 2004 (this registration was cancelled on February 16, 2007. The aircraft preformed engine tests and its first flight piloted by by Steve
Hinton on June 18,
2004 at Chino Airport, while the restoration staff at Fighter Rebuilders
watched their project fly.
Export to United Kingdom
Exported to The Fighter
Collection in England. Registered as G-CEJU on February 21, 2007 to Patina Ltd (AKA The Fighter Collection). N139DP had been assigned to the plane since Jan 9, 2002 (?)
References
Pacific Aircraft Wrecks page 57 (upper) 61 (middle) 73
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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