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Dates |
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Event |
Circa 1936 |
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Constructed as a G-23 by Canadian Car and Foundry Company. |
1938 |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the Fuerza Aerea de Nicaragua with s/n GN-3.
One of three different aircraft procured to form the basis of Nicaraguas Air Force. |
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New serial number assigned: GN-9 FANic |
1942 |
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Struck off Strength/Charge from the Fuerza Aerea de Nicaragua.
Placed in scrap yard at Zololtan Air Field. |
Circa 1961 |
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To J. R. Sirmons, OK. |
1961 |
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In 1961, J.R. Sirmons, an Oklahoma fertilizer and spray plane pilot hired to work in Nicaragua, discovered the G-23. Noting its similarity to an early-Grumman biplane fighter, Sirmons paid $150 for the machine, which was virtually intact other than missing elevators, tail struts, one cabane strut, and all flying wires. Obtaining erection and maintenance information from Grumman, Sirmons set about putting the G-23 into flyable condition, substituting parts from other aircraft and replacing the existing R-1820 engine (which would not exceed 1,500 RPM) with a R-1340-AN-1. Additionally, Sirmons wife and daughter helped sew fabric where needed. (NNAM). |
February 1966 |
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Restored.
Restored to flying condition in Nicaruagua. |
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After displaying the plane in Managua at the Annual Nicaraguan Armed Forces Day Celebration and a heated argument with a junior customs official, which resulted in a brief jail stay, Sirmons departed for the United States. After stops in El Salvador, Mexico, and Brownsville, Texas, the aircraft arrived in Longview, Texas. (NNAM). |
Circa May 1966 |
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Assigned civil registration: N2803J |
9 June 1966 |
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Sirmons flew the aircraft to Bethpage, NY, where it was inspected by officials at Grumman. (NNAM). |
26 October 1966 |
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To Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, Bethpage, NY keeping c/r N2803J. |
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Restored.
Restored to replicate FF-1. |
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Markings Applied: 9351, 5-F-l
Marked as first aircraft (squadron commanders) of Fighting Squadron 5 (VF-5), Red Rippers. |
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The aircraft flew the air show circuit until June 1967. |
6 June 1967 |
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Captain Bill Scarborough, USN (Ret), departed Bethpage bound for Pensacola. After stops along the eastern seaboard, the FF-1 arrived at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, three days later. After making low passes over the training carrier Lexington (CVT 16), Scarborough made a landing at Forrest Sherman Field. There, Vice Admiral Alexander S. Heyward, Chief of Naval Air Training, Rear Admiral Dick H. Guinn, Chief of Naval Air Basic Training, Captain James H. McCurtain, Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Aviation Museum, and others accepted it for the Navy. (NNAM). |
9 June 1967 |
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To National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, FL.
Donated by Grumman.
 View the Location Dossier |
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Markings Applied: 9351
Finished in USN markings. |
By 1991 |
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Photographer: Wayne Gomes
Notes: Photographed at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL. |
11 September 2003 |
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Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: Hanging display |
8 October 2011 |
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Photographer: Matt Maranto |
8 October 2012 |
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Photographer: Glenn Chatfield |
8 October 2012 |
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Photographer: Glenn Chatfield |
