Flying Leathernecks (1951), starring
John Wayne, was about a Marine
Corps squadron flying Corsairs while
developing close-support tactics.
Baa Baa Black Sheep The exploits
of Marine Corps squadron VMF-214,
which flew the Corsair in the Pacific
during the war, were depicted in the
popular 1976 made-for-television
movie (also released as Flying Misfits)
and the follow-up television series
Baa Baa Black Sheep, also called
Black Sheep Squadron, which aired
from 1976 to 1978. The television series
featured six genuine flying Corsairs,
but the storylines were fictional.
The Corps The Corsair plays a
prominent role in W. E.B. Griffin’s
book series (1986–present).
Ted Williams served as a flight
instructor training young Marines to
fly Corsairs while away from major
league baseball during his years of
military service in World War II.
Every time I fly this
airplane I cannot help
but think about all who
had placed their feet on
these same pedals.
SHARING THE SKY
In early March 2011 Korean War Hero was rolled
out of the WestPac hangar and readied for its first
flight. Jim felt very comfortable acting as the test
pilot, but he also knew that even though he had
accumulated more than 400 hours of Corsair
time, it was time to get his game face on. After
spending three and a half days completing a comprehensive and thorough examination of every
nut, bolt, washer, cotter key, and safety wire
attachment from nose to tail and wingtip to wingtip, Jim was ready to fly.
“Colorado Springs has a 12,000-foot runway, so
I knew I had plenty of time to take off, fly, and then
land if I had an issue or problem.”
From his initial start-up of tickling the primer
just enough to get the rpm up before bringing the
mixture in, Jim listened as the big radial began to
speak to him through a serious of “bicks and
bangs.” Satisfied that he had heard these same
noises before, Jim brought the rpm up to 2000,
making sure that the oil pressure and tempera-
tures all looked good. With everything in the
green and the flaps set at 20 degrees, Jim was
ready for takeoff.
“You cannot take off at full throttle in this air-
craft,” he warned. “There is way too much power
in this engine, and you would torque roll right over
on your back. I typically use between 45 and 50
inches of manifold pressure, and even that will
push me back in my seat. The Corsair accelerates
very quickly, and once the tail comes up your
wheels are leaving the ground soon after. You have
to act quickly and suck up your gear because you
can exceed your gear speeds if you’re not careful.
When my flaps are retracted, I pull my rpm back
to 2400 and climb out at 120 knots.”
With his feet moving the rudder pedals back and
forth, Jim began to reminisce about all of those who
had flown this airplane before him. “Every time I fly
this airplane I cannot help but think about all the
pilots who had placed their feet on these same rud-
der pedals,” he said. “Whether in combat, training,
or pleasure flying, I feel very humbled that I have
the ability to place my feet on the same pedals.
“There comes a point that when everything is
so well harmonized like it is while flying the
Corsair, that you actually feel as if you become an
extension of the airplane. That’s what makes flying
this treasure such a joy. Although the journey to
reach this point was full of sadness and unknowns,
the one guiding light was the memory of my father.
My dad taught me how to fly the Corsair, and I
think of him every time I go up. Although I miss
him dearly, I know he is with me on every flight,
flying just off my wing.”
Jim Busha, EAA 119684, is an avid pilot and longtime contributor
to EAA publications. He is the editor of Warbirds magazine and the
owner of a 1943 Aeronca L- 3. For more information on EAA Warbirds
of America and an in-depth pilot report on flying the Corsair visit
www.SportAviation.org.
