This is a prototype Goodyear XF2G-1. Only about five of those were made. They were made to test the Corsair design with the new 28 cylinder R-4680 engines. The first one had a birdcage canopy while the rest used a P-47 bubble canopy, and were distinguished by the long cowl and top deck carburetor intake. These are commonly called "Super Corsairs."

None of the XF2G-1's ever entered operational service. They were tested at the Goodyear plant in Akron, Ohio (were most were destroyed), and at Port Columbus Airport. A couple were sent to NAS Patuxent were they were flight tested from 1944 until 1947.

There were two production versions. The F2G-1 ground based Super Corsair, of which a couple served at NAS Patuxent, and NAS Norfolk, and the carrier based F2G-2 of which one served at NAS Norfolk and two at NAS North Island, San Diego. Only five of each version were built. By 1948 the Navy had phased them out. A few were scrapped or used as ground targets, but most were eagerly sought out by air racers who appreciated their performance and quickly converted them for Air Races. Several flew in the Thompson Trophy Races of 1947 through 1949.

The last surviving prototype XF2G-1 was destroyed by the Cleveland Fire Department in 1955 after being used as a fire fighting trainer for many years at the Cleveland Airport. Its engine and 4 bladed propeller are still on display at the Crawford Auto and Air Museum.

One F2G-2 still survives. BuNo 88463 (race 74). It's the one formerly owned by Walter Soplata of Newbury, Ohio (the crazy old guy with the F7U and B-36 on his farm). In 1997 the Western Reserve Historical Society of Cleveland purchased the plane and it's currently undergoing a complete restoration in N.D.

Two F2G-1's still survive. BuNo 88454 has been on display for many years at the Champlin Fighter Museum in Mesa, Arizona, and BuNo 88458 is still flying. She's based in N.D. and is painted bright red with number 57 on the side (race 57). She appears occasionally at air shows.

Owing to its closeness to Akron it's possible that a XF2G-1 or F2G may have landed at NASGI, but I'm sure none were ever based there. -- Ken Keisel