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Biplane Race #3 -
Re: Corsair-back to original from racer
I don't believe it ever actually raced. Showed up at Reno once and blew the motor on arrival. -
Re: Corsair-back to original from racer
Seriously!? It was that fastest non 4360 powered Corsair to ever race....Originally posted by Race5 View Post
Here's an excerpt from a small portion of Corsair racing history I have written.
HISTORY
Type: FG-1D
Name: “Big Hummer”
Registration: N194G
BuNo: 92050
Race: #94
Pilot: Robert Mitchem
"What would become the worlds fastest R-2800 powered Corsair, never was much to look at!
Robert Mitchem, of Broomfield, Colorado (not California as printed elsewhere) purchased the
aircraft sometime in '63. He began to modify the aircraft extensively for pylon racing sometime
thereafter. He first attempted to race in 1967, but upon approach into Stead the engine began
tearing itself apart inside. With two broken rods, Bob made an exotic emergency landing at
Reno. He wouldn't return the aircraft to Reno again until 1970, when the aircraft would sport
some interesting modifications. The biggest noticeable change was the 'scoop' on the top of the
cowling, which provoked un-educated spectators to begin questioning Bob if he had put a '3350'
engine into the aircraft. Bob, being sarcastic by nature, would say..."Sure...but keep it a secret!"
He loved to play on this, and would tell fans that the beast under the cowling was indeed a
Wright R-3350. (Which until this day, has never been installed in any Corsair, anywhere). It is
unsure how the myth stuck so well, but even now it is published as fact that N194G sported a R-
3350! In fact the reason for the scoop was because Mitchem had in reality installed a P&W CB-
17 from a DC-6B (Rated at 2,500hp!). This engine utilized the downdraft carburetor, thus the
need for the different intake setup. In '70 Mitchem would qualify at 362.989mph, respectable
and good enough for 7th place. He would get 4th in his first heat race, and later 3rd in the Silver
Consolation behind a Hawker Sea Fury and a Bearcat!
Bob would return in '71, however during a late qualifying run he cut a pylon, and did not have
enough time to re-qualify. Reno 1972 would be the highlight year for Mitchem and "Big
Hummer" as he would qualify 7th place at 367.500mph, and finish 5th in the Championship at
over 341mph.
Modifications to race #94 included the CB-17 engine fitted with an oil cooler from a R-4360
and spray bar supplied by a 100 gallon tank. The 2,500hp engine turned a Skyraider propeller
with a spinner from a P-51H. The wings were significantly clipped, and wing area surfaces
metalized. The wing retraction system was removed, and the flaps sealed. The end result still
wasn't pretty, but you gotta hand it to Bob for starting a legend!
James Axtell would purchase the aircraft in the late 70's. Axtell would perform several other
changes and modifications to the aircraft, which would never see the race scene. The aircraft
went on loan to the 'Wings of the Rockies' air museum, where it was stored for many years. In
January of 2013 the Warbird Heritage Foundation announced that they had acquired the
aircraft and had it moved. The airplane was disassembled in Denver and transported to Tab-Air
of East Troy, Wisconsin, where it will undergo a full restoration to air-worthy. It is expected that
we'll once again see this FG-1D, but in historic military glory!"Comment
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Re: Corsair-back to original from racer
Death of another historical race plane for another blue Corsair, oh yay.
remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air RacersComment
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Re: Corsair-back to original from racer
I wish Weeks would restore his FG-1D as "Joe" again.Comment
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