F4U-1 Bu.02270, is one of the world's oldest surviving WW2 F4U Corsairs in existent. It is only one of few remaining airframes which has the early birdcage canopy design. FLown by the USMC in the South Pacific theatre by pilots from VMF-321. On May 5th, 1944 the F4U ended up ditching in a lagoon. Here it lay until recovered in the early 2000's and 25 years later is on the home straight to completion.

Ordered by the USAF as T-33A 53-5377. Transferred to the US Marines as TV-2 137959. Redesignated as a T-33B in 1962. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1975. Transferred to the USAF in 1985. Left in 1990 and used as a range target at Cannon AFB, NM.

In the storage area at MASDC. VMF-321 'Hell's Angels' based at Andrews NAS, MD. Also known as the 'Black Barons' for a short period. VMF-321 were a marine reserve squadron and stood down on 11 Sep 2004 while operating the F/A-18 Hornet. To the US Navy as a F8U-2 redesignated to a F-8C in 1962 and later upgraded to a F-8K. Arrived for storage on 29 Oct 1973 with inventory code 2F274. To the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM on 08 Oct 1985.

MASDC

Served VMF-321 "Black Barons" after conversion from F-8C, which involved fuselage, wing, landing gear and structural changes. Seen in scrapyard at Socorro, NM late 1980s