Another VF-9M Mystery November 6 1933

[twocee]

As you say, Dyer's propeller chewed up the tail and rear fuselage of A9038, which was stricken on 31 January 1934.

A9719 was first assigned to VF-9M in June 1934, having been constructed from "a spare fuselage and spare parts". The parts may have come from A9038, but I doubt that the fuselage would have been reusable and so in my view one cannot say that 9038 was rebuilt as 9719.

[paulmcmillan]

George - There is a long passage in the book Marine Fighting Squadron Nine VF-9M about the 'history' of this aircraft - it even had interview with Master Sgt who rebuilt the aircraft in his spare time and the trouble the Sqn had to get a stricken aircraft added back to inventory.

"In the meantime, Master Sgt. Earl Zalanka, in charge of the Assembly and Repair shop, was not one to let a challenge go by. After several weeks passed without word on the airplane's fate, he decided to see what he could do with the damaged aft section of the fuselage. The sergeant was an expert metalsmith, carpenter, electrician and all-around handyman. He had learned his trade well during the Marines' early days of flying, when airplane parts had to be fashioned from anything at hand. In less than four months, Sgt. Zalanka, working in his spare time, accomplished the impossible by completely rebuilding the fuselage from the cockpit rearward. The sergeant then requisitioned a new vertical fin and rudder from storage and, with two of his helpers, reassembled the entire airplane, using the balance of its original parts. Feeling very proud, Zalanka told Lt. Pugh, VF-9M's engineering officer, of what he had accomplished and informed him the airplane was ready for test flying. Pugh was first amazed, then pleased, but his feelings turned to apprehension as he suddenly remembered that serial number 9038 was no longer legally in the Navy. He suggested to the sergeant that he say nothing until he talked with Sanderson about it. After a conference with Sandy, it was decided that the boss. Rusty Rowell, the group commander at Quantico, be informed at once. The two officers took off for his office.but for reasons unknown they were unable to see him. They were unaware at this time that the Colonel had already been informed of the project several hours before."


Later it adds "

Recalling that meeting of many years ago, Sgt. Zalanka (now retired) said, "We sure did catch hell. Rowell paced back and forth, using all the well-known Marine phrases plus some new ones. After he vented his anger be broke out in a grin and said: 'Sergeant, you did a damn good job. We'll find a way to outfox the Navy and put that airplane back in service.'"
"

[twocee]

Thanks for that interesting story about the rear fuselage rebuilding. On the basis that the aircraft's identity would have "belonged" to the centre fuselage/cockpit area then it can indeed be said that 9038 became 9719.

Zalanka's efforts were very worthwhile as 9719 was in service with VF-9M/VMF-1 until March 1938. As was usual it then went to Pensacola for use as a trainer but only lasted for eleven months. On 20 February 1939 it was being flown by Lt(jg) E.G. Osborn on a night cross-country when fog set in and, becoming lost, he chose to bail out at 1500' near McDavid FL.

[paulmcmillan]

6 Aircraft were

390220 F4B-4 9014 FL
390220 F4B-4 9040 FL
390220 F4B-4 9242 FL
390220 F4B-4 9243 FL
390220 F4B-4 9258 FL
390220 F4B-4 9719 FL

[twocee]

And two more, 9042+9246. Six pilots bailed out and two were killed in crashes.

One notable name among the parachutists was Lt(jg) R.E. Harmer, who went on to command the first F4U Corsair night fighter squadron.