Few aircraft have ever had the storied history of the Chance Vought F4U Corsair. The inverted gull wings coupled with its powerful engine worked to give this aircraft a rightful place within aviation knowledge. The 1951 Chance Vought F4U-5N Corsair is for sale at Platinum Fighter Sales, giving aviation enthusiasts and collectors the rare opportunity to own this aircraft, which has been restored to as-new condition.

This particular F4U-5N Corsair, Bu. Number 123168, has a rich history, from the Honduran Air Force, FAH603, through a long restoration, which took almost 17 years to complete. In this blog, we will cover the unique history of the 1951 Chance Vought F4U-5N Corsair, its service in Honduras, its contribution to film history, and the restoration which has made this aircraft a true collector’s item.

The Legacy of the F4U-5N Corsair

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair is one of the most famous fighter aircraft of the 20th century. Initially developed for the US Navy around WWII, the Corsair came to symbolize American airpower in the Pacific Theater. But the story didn’t end with the war. As technology evolved, so did the Corsair, leading to many upgraded variants, such as the F4U-5N that saw service post-WWII.

This is the F4U-5N variant with more powerful engines and equipped for night fighting, designed for better performance than the earlier models. It also made for an extremely versatile fighter at its time during the Korean War.

This aircraft, from 1951, was part of that evolution: faster, more resilient, and improved in its night-fighting qualities. But this would have a less-than-normal life and soon find itself flying under another flag.

History in the Honduran Air Force

After serving the U.S. Navy, this aircraft continued service internationally when it was picked up by the Honduran Air Force in March 1956. It was assigned the designation FAH603. F4U-5N Corsair was to form a small but strong fleet of Corsairs for the Honduran military, playing an important part in their air defense strategy.

These somewhat aged but extremely hardy aircraft kept Honduran Air Force patrol and protection of national sovereignty under its skies during the 1950s and 1960s. FAH603 became one of the last operational Corsairs in the world, a testament to the enduring capability and design of the aircraft.

By 1979, the Honduran military decided to sell the remaining Corsairs to an American company called Hollywood Wings Inc. Here started the next chapter of this particular Corsair’s life, finding its way into Hollywood and beyond.

The Disney Connection

In the late 1980s this F4U aircraft was sold to Disney Corporation. Disney had just completed filming the movie “The Rescue”, which was set around Queenstown, New Zealand, and featured RNZAF aircraft. As a gesture of gratitude for the RNZAF’s assistance with the filming, Disney donated the F4U-5N Corsair to the RNZAF Museum. Although this was not an aircraft which ever served with the RNZAF, the Corsair became a high-profile addition to their collection.

The aircraft remained with the RNZAF Museum until 1996, when a unique trade took place. The museum traded the unrestored F4U-5N for a P-40F project, and the Corsair worked its way into the hands of its current owner. This set the stage for an incredible restoration journey, bringing it back to life after decades of inaction.

17-Year Aircraft Restoration

In June 1996, this aircraft was shipped to Melbourne, Australia, and then by road to Aerotec’s Northern Territory restoration facility in Darwin. This is where the aircraft’s amazing restoration took place, under the lead of Nobby Bartsch, one of the most competent people in aviation restoration, particularly noted for his work on the Hawker Sea Fury.

What followed was a very labor intensive restoration process which took 17 years, an amazing project by Bartsch and his dedicated team. The restoration was a 100-point process, ensuring that absolutely every single detail was authentically brought back to its original condition. The aircraft’s powerful engine, airframe, and avionics were all overhauled or replaced as needed. The goal was to return the F4U-5N Corsair to the skies as close to its original condition as possible.

The most striking feature of the restoration had to be the decision to ultimately finish the aircraft in its original glossy sea blue color, complete with the Fuerza Aérea Hondureña markings which it wore during its time serving in Honduras. Not only does such attention to detail really drive home the authenticity of this restoration, but it also serves as a gesture to the unique service history this aircraft has encountered.

Post-Restoration Flight

After 17 years, the F4U-5N finally prepared for the skies once more. On May 4, 2014, a first post-restoration flight of the Corsair took place from Darwin International Airport. That was a big moment, nearly two decades in the making. The F4U-5N performed flawlessly, showcasing its powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine and showing why the Corsair was such a feared fighter for its time.

This 1951 Chance Vought F4U-5N Corsair represents today one of the best examples of a completely restored vintage fighter plane. Its historic appeal, combined with its quality restoration, makes this plane one of those few and very highly sought-after collector pieces.

Own a Piece of Aviation History

With just a few survivors anywhere in the world, this exact Vought F4U Corsair is the only example that can be truly unique for any collector. Having service history with the Honduran Air Force and its connection to Disney, this restored vintage fighter plane would be an exceptional addition to any collection. Platinum Fighter Sales is proud to present this piece to buyers that may be interested.

Contact Platinum Fighter Sales

The 1951 Chance Vought F4U-5N Corsair is truly a one-of-a-kind aircraft with a rich history. From serving in the U.S. Navy and Honduran Air Force, through the years it spent being part of Disney’s collection to its 17-year restoration, this Corsair really has lived an extraordinary life. Now fully restored and pristine, it is available for sale through Platinum Fighter Sales.

This is a rare opportunity for those whose dream it is to own such a unique aircraft. Contact Platinum Fighter Sales today for more information or to get this aircraft added to your collection.

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