WWII Veteran Reunite With Corsair
Donation protected
Hi my name is Michele Spry from Columbia, MO and I have written and just released my 2nd self-published children’s fiction book called “A Trip To Remember”! This book is about a World War II Marine Pilot who gets to go on a Hero Tour. This book uses the character of Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy, who lives in Columbia, MO.
With the help of his family, we discovered Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy’s flight book from World War II. I began researching some of the aircraft he flew and found that one aircraft in particular was unique. The F4U-1 Corsair identified as 17799 was removed from World War II and used in Hollywood as a movie prop. This Corsair has taken part in numerous air shows and flown in a variety of Hollywood productions. Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy flew this plane during WWII in combat on June 24, 1944 and again on July 3, 1944.
This F4U-1 Corsair is now a part of the collection at Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California and is currently the oldest airworthy Corsair in the world. They have owned this aircraft since 1966 and have been unsuccessful in pairing this plane with a pilot until June 15, 2016 when documentation was shown that Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy was one of its pilots during World War II. After 50 years they have been able to link this aircraft and now give it proper recognition as a “combat veteran”.
As you know we are losing our World War II heroes at a rapid rate. We need your help to get this plane from Chino, California to Columbia, MO so that Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy can reunite with a plane that he flew in combat during World War II over 72 years ago! No matter what you can afford to donate it will go towards the travel expenses of flying this historic aircraft to Columbia, MO for this special reunion.
Once the funds have been raised we will update you on the FREE public event held in Columbia, MO so you too can see this historic aircraft and a veteran that flew it many years ago. For more information you can follow my Facebook page for the latest information: https://www.facebook.com/SPRYPublishing/
Any additional funds raised would go to this very special Corsair F4U-1A that is owned by Planes of Fame for whatever is needed to keep this beautiful warbird flying high!
With the help of his family, we discovered Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy’s flight book from World War II. I began researching some of the aircraft he flew and found that one aircraft in particular was unique. The F4U-1 Corsair identified as 17799 was removed from World War II and used in Hollywood as a movie prop. This Corsair has taken part in numerous air shows and flown in a variety of Hollywood productions. Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy flew this plane during WWII in combat on June 24, 1944 and again on July 3, 1944.
This F4U-1 Corsair is now a part of the collection at Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California and is currently the oldest airworthy Corsair in the world. They have owned this aircraft since 1966 and have been unsuccessful in pairing this plane with a pilot until June 15, 2016 when documentation was shown that Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy was one of its pilots during World War II. After 50 years they have been able to link this aircraft and now give it proper recognition as a “combat veteran”.
As you know we are losing our World War II heroes at a rapid rate. We need your help to get this plane from Chino, California to Columbia, MO so that Lt. Col. Ferrill A. Purdy can reunite with a plane that he flew in combat during World War II over 72 years ago! No matter what you can afford to donate it will go towards the travel expenses of flying this historic aircraft to Columbia, MO for this special reunion.
Once the funds have been raised we will update you on the FREE public event held in Columbia, MO so you too can see this historic aircraft and a veteran that flew it many years ago. For more information you can follow my Facebook page for the latest information: https://www.facebook.com/SPRYPublishing/
Any additional funds raised would go to this very special Corsair F4U-1A that is owned by Planes of Fame for whatever is needed to keep this beautiful warbird flying high!
Organizer and beneficiary
Michele Spry
Organizer
Columbia, MO
Jerry Wilkins
Beneficiary
