CORSAIRS

Ron Puckett was a Navy test pilot and also familiar with the F2-G’s Ron acquired a F2-G in time to enter the 1947 Thompson Trophy Race with a stock airplane. At that time #18 still had the original sub-rudder. Ron took off after all others had completed their first lap due to a problem with an official. Ron was able to move up to 3rd place, in the nineteenth lap, engine problems forced him to land. In the 1949 Thompson Trophy Race, Ron came in second.

                                                                    
                                                                                  (Dr. Aaron King Jr.)
                                                                        #18 in ’49 Med. Blue and gray

In the1949 Thompson Trophy Race, the F2G’s placed one, two, three. Cook Cleland was first, Ron Puckett placed second and Ben McKillen was third.

                                                                   
                                                                                    (Bill Meixner collection)
                                                                            Ron with mechanic Dick Futtner

After the race, Ron sold his F2-G to a broker who had a customer for the R-4360 engine. Ron believes the airplane was scrapped.

After serving with the Navy in Korea, Ron went on to have a full career with the FAA as a production test pilot till his retirement. Ron currently lives in Wichita KA with his wife Gail and enjoys flying his Beech Debonair.