Famous American Air Racers
1947 Thompson Trophy Winner
Cook
Cleland
Print Size 12x18
Limited Edition $60.00 signed by Cook Cleland.
Open Edition $18.00 signed by the artist only.
Photos of #74 on the day of the Thompson Air Races in 1947.
I love this photo, Cook wore a tie for the race!
The 1947 Thompson Trophy Race
Goodyear manufactured the F2G Corsair, which was designed for fast intercept in combat against the Japanese Kamikaze in the Pacific. The war ended with Goodyear producing only ten production type of the massive F2G "Super Corsairs" and nine of the prototype XF2G. Both Corsairs were powered by a new Pratt & Whitney R-4360-4 Wasp Major engine.
World War II Navy dive-bomber pilot and ace Cook Cleland was one of the most eager aviators of his era. Cook found a new calling after the war with an interest in air racing. Surplus Army aircraft from WWII began dominating the National Air Races.
Cleland known for his enthusiasm wanted to compete and win the Thompson Trophy flying a Navy aircraft. Legend has it that Cook appealed to Admiral "Bull" Halsey that the Navy needed to be better represented in the air races. Halsey asked Cleland what it would take to guarantee a Navy aircraft would win the race. Cleland replied, "An F2G, sir!" Cleland convinced Halsey that the Navy should sell him one of the surplus F2G's.
Within days Cleland paid the Navy $1,250.00 for his F2G Corsair and picked up his future race plane at NAS Jacksonville, Florida on February 24, 1947, at 3:15 P.M.
Cleland scraped together the money and manpower to convert the "Super Corsair" from a bulky fighter to a streamlined racer. By qualifying day in 1947, Cook had lightened the F2G by 1,000 pounds, shortened the wing span, installed the humped back air scoop, and painted the Corsair dark blue with a checkerboard cowling. With new modifications to the engine 4,000 plus horsepower was available in spurts up to 30 minutes! Cook proudly arrived at his first race to fulfill his dream with his F2G-2 BUNO 88463, Civil Race #NX5577N, Race #74.
Cook astounded everyone with the fastest qualifying time of 401.79 MPH in #74! In this race Cook had two friends Dick Becker flying F2G #94 and Tony Janazzo flying F2G #84. Cleland owned all three of the Corsairs however all three men worked day and night getting them ready for the race.
In this photo Becker is flying #74.
Of the thirteen air racers that started the race in 1947 only six of the aircraft finished the race. Tony Janazzo led very early in the race but fell back as Cleland and Becker passed him.
Cook Cleland came in first place setting a new closed course world record of 396.13 MPH with Becker placing second. Cleland won $19,500.00 for first place, and Becker won $8,100.00 for second place. Cleland later stated, "Beck and I had good chemistry."
Cook and Becker rejoiced with their winning however the moment became bitter when they learned that their friend and teammate Tony Janazzo had crashed and died. During the race extreme heat burned through the firewall and Tony became overwhelmed by carbon monoxide.
In 1949 at the Thompson Races, Becker was flying Cleland's #74 and again set a new race qualifying time of 414.59 MPH! Ironically #74 stripped the propeller reduction gear after the qualifying run and was unable to fly in the race. However Cleland won his second Thompson Trophy flying his modified #94.
Cook Cleland now resides in Pensacola, Florida and favorably remembers #74. "It was my favorite airplane," recalled Cook. Cleland's dream is now to see Corsair Racer #74 restored and displayed in an aviation museum for everyone to enjoy.
What a great photos!
I am so lucky to have the opportunity to work with
such a great aviator as Cook Cleland.
Cook was an aggressive dive-bomber pilot in WWII who actually went after Japanese fighters and bombers and between him and his rear gunner actually shot down eight enemy aircraft while flying an SBD dive bomber! Cook then became a famous air racer winning the Thompson Trophy two times. During the Korean War he flew Corsairs was again very aggressive and ending up being shot down in the China Sea. This guy is a real man!
Here is Cook accepting the Thompson Trophy.
Cook in his office.
The
Thompson Trophy
2-14-07