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.

Fake markings. Is ex N2803J and Nicaragua Air Force GN-3

Grumman G-23 preserved wearing the fake markings of a US Navy FF-1. It is in fact ex Nicaragua Air Force GN-3, delivered in the late 1930s. It was withdrawn from service in 1942 and ended up in a scrap yard. Rescued from there in 1962 by J.R. Sirmons and flown to the USA in 1966 as N2803J. Acquired by Grumman who restored it as seen here and donated it to the then US Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola.

Grumman G-23 biplane fighter supplied to Nicaragua in the 1930s as GN-3. Recovered from a local scrapyard postwar and restored as N2803J and falsely marked as a US Navy model FF-1 serial "9351" for display in the NMNA.

Formerly operated by the East German Air Force and thereafter by the Luftwaffe for VIP transport tasks. Displayed at the Luftwaffenmuseum.

Flugbereitsheitsstaffel aircraft

This Hip served previously with the NVA as '914' but was allocated the serial '93+51' upon unification. She served until 1997 and is now preserved at the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr at Gatow.