Another VF-9M Mystery November 6 1933

[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.