Bu 97388 assigned to storage at NAS Tillamook, Oregon, former blimp base for HEDRON 3, and storage  facility for surplus FM-2s. By 1947, 433 aircraft were stored at Tillamook. The field was decommissioned on 1 July 1948.

Note: HEDRON 3 = Blimp Headquarters Squadron Three. Also based at Tillamook was ZP-33, Airship Patrol Squadron Three.

At Quonset Point, RI, for 0 & R and M & S. Quonset Point was support base for ASW {anti-submarine warfare) carriers and squadrons.

Note: 0 & R = Overhaul and Repair. M & S – Maintenance and Service.

With VF-42 aboard USS Saipan (CVL-48) assigned to Atlantic Fleet. 689 TT.

Note: During this time Saipan was assigned to the Mediterranean. This deployment lasted until 8 June 1951. Saipan was the flagship of Carrier Division 14, assigned to the Sixth Fleet. This tour included stops at Gibralter, Italy, Algiers, and Sicily. She returned to Norfolk, VA, on 8 June.

Note: USS Saipan (CVL-48) was laid down on 10 July 1944. Launched on 8 July 1945. Commissioned on 14 July 1946. It displaced 14,500 tons.  Operated in the 1950s mainly for training, it was later converted to the communications relay ship USS Arlington, deactivated in January 1970 and scrapped.

Assigned to NAS Olathe, KS, NART (Naval Air Reserve Training).

Note:  NAS Olathe was officially closed in 1970.  For more information, go here.

Bu 97388 assigned to NAS Grosse Ile, Michigan, NART (Naval Air Reserve Training).

Note:  NAS Grosse Ile closed in 1969.  For more information, go here.

Bu 97388 struck off charge at NAF Litchfield Park, AZ.

Note:  Litchfield Park, AZ, 20 miles west of Phoenix, had been the Goodyear Aircraft Corp, modification center during WWII.  After the war it became, with Clinton, OK, one of the major USN storage centers.  Also stored there were F6F Hellcats, F8F Bearcats, TBM Avengers, and PB4Y-2 Privateers.

Trade arranged by Bob Bean with Fuerza Aerea Hondurena for four airworthy Lockheed P-38L’s and two flyable and two wrecked P-63E’s.

Note:  The following P-38L/M were flown back to the United States:

FAH 503  44-53097
FAH 504  44-26961
FAH 505  44-53232  (now at the USAF Musuem)
FAH 506  44-53095  (later with Bill Ross, then Lone Star)

Note:  The following P-63E’s were returned to the United States:

FAH 400  43-11727  N9003R
FAH 401  43-11728  N9005R  (now at the USAF Museum)
FAH 402  43-11729  N9001R
FAH 403  43-11730  N9002R  (ex-Dan Chvatal, Jordan, MN.  Later ex-Wally Fisk – AMJET)

Three F4U-4, FAH 610 (Bu 97388) FAH 611, and FAH 612 delivered to Honduras.

Note: Ten F4U-4 Corsairs went to the FAH from Bob Bean. Bu 97388 was Honduran serial number FAH 610. These aircraft were to supplement 10 F4U-5/-5N/ -5NL Corsairs delivered to the FAH from the USA military assistance program in 1956.

Bill of Sale from Intermaricana de Honduras, SA, to Hollywood Wings, Inc., Long Beach, CA for sale of eight aircraft “in good condition” and “seven discarded aircraft corresponding to the list attached…” for $500,000.

Note:  Honduran documents include lists of airworthy aircraft with TT on airframe, engines, and props and “Discarded F4U-5 and F4U-4 aircraft” and “Data on stripped F4U-5 and F4U-4 aircraft.”   FAH 610 (and FAH 616) are listed on this document with correct Bureau No. 97388 for FAH 610.

Note:  “Discarded” and “Stripped” Aircraft listed as follows:

F4U-5 FAH 602 Bu 124447
F4U-5 FAH 603 Bu 123168
F4U-5 FAH 608 Bu 124493
F4U-4 FAH 610 Bu 97388
F4U-4 FAH 612 Bu 97288
F4U-4 FAH 616 N86432
F4U-4 FAH 618 N864132

(Beck also acquired Bu 97320, FAH 616, N72084 from John Roxbury, Princeton, MN. This aircraft was held in storage until 2005. It was later sold to an owner in San Martin, CA.)

Note: Warbird Registry notes that the rear fuselage of Bu 96885, FAH 618 was used in the restoration of Bu 97388. Thus Bu 97388 is considered a “components” aircraft. Both of these aircraft were BOC with the FAH on 22 December 1961. Bu 96885 was later rebuilt for static display at the USS Midway Museum.  For a picture of the unrestored tail cone of Bu 96885 before it was incorporated into the restoration, click here.

Document from Direccion General de Aernautica Civil, Teguciagalpa, Honduras, showing that F4U-4’s Bu 97388 and Bu 97320, ex-FAH 610 and FAH 616 respectively had never been assigned Honduran civil registration.  Signed by Fernando Soto.

Note:   Captain Fernando Soto was FAH Corsair pilot who shot down three FAS fighters, a Mustang and two FG-1D Corsairs, on 17 July 1969, while flying F4U-5N FAH 609, which remains in Honduras in running condition.