Painted as a USN FF-1 of VF-5B "Red Rippers", this is actually a G-23 supplied in 1942 as one of the first aircraft for the Fuerza Aerea de Nicaragua. It only saw limited use before being left to languish in a scrap area at Zololtan airfield. In 1961 an Oklahoma spray plane pilot hired to work in Nicaragua discovered the G-23 and arranged to buy it for $150, restoring it flying condition by 1966 when he flew it to the Grumman factory at Bethpage, Long Island as N2803J where it was restored and flown to Pensacola the following year after appearances on the airshow circuit.

Assigned to VF-5B on the USS Lexington in 1933. By late 1935 the F4B-2's were retired from the Fleet and assigned for training duty at Pensacola. The "E" indicates a Battle Effectiveness Award. Photo taken by Don McCash.