Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Constructor number 3884. Accepted August 31, 1943 and delivered on September 6, 1943.

Wartime History
Likely, this F4U was assigned to combat overseas from September 1943 until mid 1944 when it was sent back to California.

During August - October it was under repair at NAS San Diego. In December 1944 it was assigned to VF-84. In January 1945 it was assigned to VBF-14 based at San Ysidro.

Next, from February - March 1945 assigned to VBF-98 at Los Alamitos. From April - June 1945 it was assigned to (CAS) Carrier Air Service 13, and then transferred back to VBF-84 also at Los Alamitos.

In August 1945 it was transferred to NAS Hopeville and a CAS. It was stricken from the registry on August 31, 1945.

Post War
Acquired by MGM Studios at Culver City, CA from 1960-1970.

Restoration
Purchased by Ed Maloney founder of The Air Museum / Planes of Fame in 1967 with civilian registration N83782 and returned to airworthy status in 1977. Used as a movie prop in the television series Baa Baa Black Sheep during 1977-78. Originally painted as USN 17799/WS-80 and later 17799/4. Today it it is in US Navy camouflage with fuselage number 799, and operates during Planes of Fame airshows and events.

References
Thanks to Mark Foster / Planes of Fame for historical information.

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Last Updated
October 6, 2009