| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | "9351" |
| Military Code: | 5-F-1 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Grumman FF |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Grumman G-23 |
| Aircraft Version: | Grumman G-23 |
| Licence-built by: | CCF |
| C/n (msn): | 101 |
| Operator Titles: | USA - Navy |
| Unit Markings: | VF-5B |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Pensacola - NAS / Forrest Sherman FieldMap |
| Region / Country: | Florida, United States |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: KNPA IATA: NPA Local: NPA Other: - |
| Collection: | National Museum of Naval Aviation |
| Photo Date: | 13 December 2024 |
| Photo by: | Richard Vandervord |
| Photo ID: | 767018 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
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. This photo is copyright © Richard Vandervord, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 10 January 2025, and has since been viewed 71 times. |