A World War II-era Corsair fighter based at Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia in Peachtree City, Georgia, has a new coat of navy-blue paint, courtesy of PPG and employee volunteers at the Delta Air Lines Technical Operations Center in Atlanta.
Recently featured in the movie “Devotion,” the FG-1D Corsair was carefully stripped to bare metal and repainted to return it to like-new condition, according to CAF officials.
The paint design represents VMF-312, a Marine Corps squadron known as the “Checkerboards” that flew Corsairs in World War II and Korea. The unit flies F/A-18 Hornets today.
“We are extremely grateful to the employees and volunteers at Delta Air Lines for restoring this Corsair to its original appearance,” said Airbase Leader Joel Perkins. “This will delight the public and aviation fans who come to see the Corsair at air shows, aviation events, and our Warbird Museum. We plan to showcase our Corsair at a Corsair Reunion scheduled for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July, and for the Navy Legacy Flight Foundation program where it will fly in close flight maneuvers with today’s frontline fighters.”
This Corsair was built by Goodyear as a supplemental manufacturer, giving it the FG designation. It never saw military combat, but was used stateside in various roles until the U.S. Navy struck it from active duty in 1956. It was privately owned for a few years until it was sold in 1960 to CAF Hall of Fame member Marvin L. “Lefty” Gardner.
The Corsair was last painted in 2001 at the Vought Industries Dallas facility, where it received the number 530 from VMF-312, representing 1st Lt. M.O. Chance.
CAF Airbase Georgia has been home for the FG-1D “530” since August 2012.
Founded in 1987, CAF Airbase Georgia is one of the largest units of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The group maintains and flies six vintage military aircraft, including a P-51 Mustang, an FG-1D Corsair, an SBD Dauntless, and a P-63A Kingcobra. The Airbase, which is composed of more than 500 members, has hosted WWII Heritage Days since 2003. The organization is also a founding partner of the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail, launched in 2021.
For more information: AirBaseGeorgia.org