Watch: The World’s Only Airworthy Brewster F3A Corsair Takes Flight

The Last Flying Brewster Corsair

In Colorado Springs, a rare aircraft continues to bridge past and present. Preserved at the National Museum of World War II Aviation, the Brewster-built Corsair remains the only airworthy example of its kind. Unlike most surviving warplanes, which rest in static displays, this aircraft still flies, offering a direct view of how naval fighters once performed during the Second World War.

The aircraft belongs to the Corsair family, originally developed as the Vought F4U Corsair. Known for its distinctive bent wings and powerful engine, the Corsair became one of the most capable carrier fighters of its time. As demand increased, production expanded beyond its original builder to include other companies, including Brewster Aeronautical Corporation. Brewster’s involvement, however, reflected the strain placed on American industry during wartime expansion.

Wartime Production and Legacy

Brewster struggled to maintain consistent output and quality, leading to delays and criticism from the Navy. Although hundreds of aircraft were completed, many were used for training rather than front-line combat. By 1944, the Navy ended Brewster’s production, marking a difficult chapter in the company’s history.

From Crash Site to Flight

The surviving aircraft now flying today once crashed during a training mission in 1944 and remained lost for decades. Recovered years later, it underwent a careful restoration that returned it to flying condition. Today, when it takes to the air, it reflects both the demands of wartime industry and the effort required to preserve aviation history.