FAA Corsair JS643

[Revi16]

I was trying to find any information on Brewster built Corsair #08638/JS643.

This was an FAA Corsair that was used in flight testing at NAS Patuxent River, USA. I'm not sure if it ever left the USA?

I've searched the USA data bases using both US Navy BuNo 08638 and FAA JS643 with no results. Perhaps the testing was done for/by the FAA and someone in Great Britain may know of a source they can search?

Thx

[Stig Jarlevik]

Revi

As per Air Britains FAA book JS643 went via Lockheed at Speke to 23MU on 28 June 1944 and from there to Blackburn at Abbotsinch 8 Aug 1945.
Then follows a sentence which I don't understand
Tested VA High Post 24 June 1946

In abbreviations, VA is only listed as Vickers-Armstrong

No mention of any testing done in USA

Cheers
Stig

[paulmcmillan]

High Post
http://www.ukairfieldguide.net/airfields/High-Post

[Stig Jarlevik]

Doh

An airfield....oh well....one never stops to learn.....

Thanks Paul
Cheers
Stig

[Revi16]

This Pax River photo is dated Nov. 1st 1944, FT on the cowling stands for Flight Test and is typical for aircraft based at Pax River.

I'm guessing that BuNo 08638 was accepted by the FAA based on paint/markings, Loss Reports and a little math.

http://joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries1.html
JS641 (BuNo 08636) ran into port walkway May 25, 1945 and jettisoned at sea. Ship not specified.
JS643 (BuNo 08638)???? (This is my entry for display purpose.)
JS647 (BuNo 08642) crashed into Puttalam Lagoon Mar 7, 1945. Pilot killed.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Revi

I can only see two possibilities

a) The caption is wrong and it is not Bu 08638
b) The Royal Navy did not get the aircraft in Bu order.

All British publications I have give no indication that the Corsairs were not assigned in Bu order.
The photo itself gives away very little, except the letters FT on the nose, which you already explained what that was.

I can't believe the details listed by Air Britain for the JS643 specimen are faulty.
For example the records kept by the British Air Commission also says JS643 was shipped to Britain. See another Air Britain book about that subject.

Cheers
Stig

[twocee]

One possibility for this aircraft is JS556, which in 1944 was used for testing the effects of an extra "clip" to the wingtips, i.e. 7.5 inches per side, instead of the Normal 5.0" for FAA aircraft.
Of course, that doesn't help with the BuNo shown on the photo. JS556 should be 08551.

In Ray's book JS556 first appears in Ceylon, March 1945.

[Revi16]

I can't confirm which JS??? it is, but it's definitely #08638.

[Stig Jarlevik]

THAT was a great blow up.

So the Bu number is correct which means this aircraft cannot have been JS643,
unless of course the actual date is wrong.
But these flip side dates are usually very accurate....

Cheers
Stig

[paulmcmillan]

Any idea of build date for 08638 ?I wonder if photo taken 44 by a British Photographer but translated to the old problem 1-11-44 / 11-1-44