I saw this plane with the other FE planes around 1967. I jumped the fence and got into a few. Too bad they left them out to weather. all planes are now to museums and most are restored. fantastic! there was a Zero, the Rex, Tenzan, ME 262 A George, and a German Arado float plane. There are some pics on-line of the whole line up of planes back in the 70s. Some changed camo several times.
Ken Wiley, e-mail, 06.12.2013 17:18
The aircraft in the Nimitz Museum had been in storage at NAS Norfolk, Virginia until the summer of 1975, when it was delivered to the museum for restoration.
kgilbert, e-mail, 15.09.2012 19:15
Are we sure this is the aircraft at Pensacola? I've heard that it is now at the Nimitz Museum in Texas (in the George Bush Gallery).
dawang, 21.06.2011 05:55
NAS Pensacola, awaiting resoration at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
Jeff, e-mail, 18.06.2011 19:05
As a kid, I used to climb all over the aircraft that lined the fence at NAS Willow Grove. I was glad to see this page, as I couldn't remember what aircraft it was. I hope to see it restored soon!
Steve, e-mail, 04.08.2009 19:27
The floatplane fighter was not quite the oddity that it seems on the surface. Although such an aircraft would lack the performance to deal with opposing fighters, it would be a useful counter to attack or recon aircraft where carrier-based fighters were not available for whatever reason. A floatplane launched from a CAM ship against a FW-200 Condor would be one, as would a launch from a German raiding cruiser or battleship against Swordfish/Albacores/Barracudas.
Kevin A. Lawton, e-mail, 24.09.2007 05:38
I grew up not too far from Willow Grove NAS and remember passing the Kyofu mant times. I'm happy to hear it is now (hopefully) indoors and awaiting restoration. It was getting pretty beat-up by the time I left PA in 1978.
Rob, e-mail, 28.06.2007 21:44
The aircraftt formerly displayed at NAS Willow Grove is currently stored at NAS Pensacola, awaiting resoration at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
