At the storied airfield of Duxford, a place where the echoes of aviation history resonate deeply, a significant moment unfolded recently. The FG-1D Corsair, known to enthusiasts as KD345, taxied out for its final departure from British soil, bound for a new chapter in Alabama. Meanwhile, the arrival of the P-51D Mustang ‘Moonbeam McSwine’ offered a bittersweet counterpoint, marking a symbolic handover among the legends of the skies.

For those who cherish vintage aircraft, the departure of this Corsair stirs a mix of nostalgia and pride. Having captivated audiences at airshows and historic events across the UK for nearly four decades, KD345 is more than just a machine—it’s a flying testament to a bygone era. Its journey across the Atlantic signals the end of a long residency in Britain, but also the promise of continued appreciation in the United States.

The Corsair’s story begins in 1940, when the Chance Vought FG-1D emerged as a groundbreaking design. With an engine that roared with unprecedented power and a propeller larger than any fighter had carried before, it broke through the 400 mph barrier—a feat unmatched by other single-engine fighters of its day. Production stretched across 12 years, from 1940 to 1952, making it the longest-running piston-engined fighter in American history. In the hands of the US Marine Corps, it first took to the skies over the Pacific, launching from rugged, makeshift bases. Later, the British Fleet Air Arm harnessed its might for carrier operations, a move that cemented its reputation as a versatile and fearsome warbird. From World War II to the Korean War, the Corsair’s dominance in the air left an indelible mark on aviation lore.

This particular Corsair, identified by Bureau Number 88297, rolled off the Goodyear Aircraft Corporation’s line in Akron, Ohio. Accepted by the US Navy on April 9, 1945, it wasted no time—within two days, it was on its way to Guam, assigned to Aircraft Pool Airwing 2 in the Pacific theater. By October of that year, it found itself in the Philippines, likely undergoing repairs at a Samar depot, before heading back to the US. For the next decade, it flew with various Naval Air Reserve squadrons, interspersed with stints in storage, until the Navy deemed it surplus in March 1956. By then, it had clocked 1,652 hours in the air.

The aircraft’s next chapter veered toward preservation rather than obsolescence. In 1959, ALU-MET Smelters picked it up, but it narrowly escaped the fate of the scrap heap when stunt pilot Frank Tallman stepped in a year later. Tallman, a titan in aviation circles, saw something special in this Corsair, later calling it his favorite in his book The Great Planes. He kept it soaring until 1966, after which it changed hands among civilian owners before landing with The Fighter Collection at Duxford in 1986.

What makes KD345 stand out among its peers is its authenticity. This Corsair has never been restored, a rarity in a world where vintage aircraft often undergo heavy reconstruction. Its fabric-covered wings, still intact, are a throwback to its original build—one of only a handful of airworthy Corsairs that can claim such a distinction. Today, it wears the colors of the British Fleet Air Arm, painted as KD345 of 1850 Squadron aboard HMS Vengeance in December 1945, a nod to its adopted heritage during its long stay in the UK.

Since joining The Fighter Collection, KD345 has been a star attraction, its bent-wing silhouette and rumbling engine a familiar sight at Duxford and beyond. For British aviation fans, its departure feels like losing an old friend. Yet, there’s comfort in knowing it’s not the end of the road. The move to Alabama, while closing a chapter in the UK, ensures this piece of history will keep flying, sharing its story with a new audience across the ocean.

The Corsair’s legacy is one of resilience and adaptability, from its wartime heroics to its peacetime role as a cherished artefact. As it prepares to depart from Duxford, it leaves behind a trail of memories—and a reminder of the ingenuity and courage it represents. In Alabama, it will find fresh skies to conquer, proving that its journey is far from finished.

Historic Corsair KD345 Bids Farewell to UK Skies, Heads to New Home in Alabama

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