Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Constructors Number 6024. Delivered to the U. S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1D Corsair bureau number 57201. Disassembled and loaded as cargo aboard USS Grand Mesa. On July 24, 1944 departed the United States across the Pacific to Espiritu Santo.

Wartime History
Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Corsair serial number NZ5428 with code 28. On August 11, 1944 assembled by Unit 60 on Espiritu Santo. On October 20, 1944 assigned to 15 Squadron. On October 26, 1944 assigned to 24 Squadron. During January 1945 assigned to 14 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On January 15, 1945 took off from Green Island Airfield (Nissan) piloted by Flying Officer Albert Norman Saward as one of thirty-six Corsairs from 14 Squadron, 16 Squadron and 24 Squadron on a mission against Rabaul.

Returning, the formation encountered bad weather. While circling to land, this Corsair pulled up into a cloud while circling to land and was never seen again. When it failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). This aircraft was officially written off the books at Green Island.

Memorials
Saward was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery (Bourail War Cemetery) on the Bourail Memorial at panel 6.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1D Corsair 57201
"57201 (MSN 6024) to New Zealand as NZ5428"
ADF Serials - NZ Serials Corsair NZ5428
CWGC - Ian James Munro

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Last Updated
June 17, 2018