Looking for a WWII F4F to photograph

May 9, 2007 8:09 AM

I am looking to photograph a WWII Grumman F4F "Wildcat" as a present for my dad. While there is a local airshow in Geneseo, NY each summer, they have not had a F4F. Does anyone know of an airshow this summer within a days drive of Rochester, NY? A museum would also be okay, though it might be more difficult to get good photos.

My dad was an aviation ordnanceman on the CV-7 Wasp in WWII and the F4F was their primary fighter plane. He's going to be 86 and I wanted to give him a photo of one as a birthday present. The F4F isn't as famous as the F4U "Corsair", and there don't seem to be as many left. The Intrepid museum in NYC has one, but it's closed for renovations right now.

By "a days drive" I mean somewhere in the range of 8 hours or so. Thanks.

posted by tommasz to sports, hobbies, & recreation (12 comments total)

The Smithsonian Annex near Dulles outside of DC has an Hellcat on display. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, VA
posted by Gungho at 8:15 AM on May 9, 2007

Sorry, I realize the hellcat is not a wildcat...my bad
posted by Gungho at 8:17 AM on May 9, 2007

Does it have to be a recent photograph? You may be able to avoid an 8 hour trip.

This web site has a few pictures of the Wildcat. You may even want to search for airshow photographers and contact them about where you could buy rights to a recent photo.
posted by redarmycomrade at 8:33 AM on May 9, 2007

There appears to be one at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation in FL. Depending on traffic, that's within a day's drive.
posted by MarkAnd at 8:37 AM on May 9, 2007

It looks like the Navy Historical Foundation will do a lot of the legwork for you for a small fee (~$30 per photo). The order form also has a "rush" option that will get it to you in one business day.
posted by redarmycomrade at 8:38 AM on May 9, 2007

I would think that one of the links from this page would be useful in this situation. Particularly MaxAir2Air. The United States Marine Corps Air/Ground Museum in Quantico, VA (about 8 hours away from you, depending on traffic) is supposed to have one. Apparently there are only about 18 that are still capable of flying, so it might be difficult to find one at a nearby air show.
posted by arco at 8:38 AM on May 9, 2007

Or maybe it's on loan to the National Museum of Naval Aviation. I can't tell.
posted by MarkAnd at 8:42 AM on May 9, 2007

Rather than try and locate the plane and take pictures, you could use the online photos or obtain high quality photos from the Naval Historical Center. Nasa's Langley Research Center has two high-resolution pictures as well, [1] [2]. Here's a high-resolution picture of the engine used in the F4F. There's also a Grumman F4F at the National Air and Space Museum.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 8:47 AM on May 9, 2007

It's already been mentioned, but it's spot on... if your dad is healthy enough - take him to Udvar-Hazy. It's worth the trip. I took my dad there - brought back a lot of memories for him, and as an aviator myself it was entertaining and educational.

If he can't make the trip, check out their gift shop or give them a call. I'm willing to bet they can help you out... maybe even take a picture and mail it to you if necessary? That place is not only chock full of planes (including the Enola Gay and a Space Shuttle), it's chock full of older people who flew them and worked on them. They are a wealth of information and history, they love what they do, and they're always willing to help. Give them a call...
posted by matty at 8:51 AM on May 9, 2007

Here's an interview with Steve Craig about the restored F4F he flies in airshows. He gives his phone number here to contact about show booking -- you could find out his 2007 schedule.
posted by MarkAnd at 8:53 AM on May 9, 2007 [1 favorite]

I'm specifically looking to photograph one myself, in color, rather than just a reprint. Thanks for the links, though. They may come in handy since so few F4Fs seem to be left.

MarkAnd, Steve Craig sounds like a good source. My preference is one that's still flying and his fits the bill. Thanks.
posted by tommasz at 10:00 AM on May 9, 2007

Outside your stated range, but if you're willing to go to Wisconsin the EAA AirVenture in July is likely to have one or more flying examples if past experience is anything to go by.

If you want to see WWII planes, it's amazing; flying examples lined up in ranks in a way that I've never seen anywhere else. Especially large numbers of P51s, but all sorts of other kinds as well. In addition there are even more historic, home built, and other planes.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 10:24 AM on May 9, 2007