And for the continued history:
"Lancer Two" was in fact a F4U-4, BuNo 97259....
But to back-track a little, the first post-Cleveland, Reno era Corsair to turn pylons was a FG-1D, N4719C. It was lost in a fatal accident during practice for the '65 Los Angeles races. Next, in '67 a F4U was entered by a Robert (Lynn?) Garrison, in a cross-country event between Palm Springs, and Cleveland. But the aircraft never manifest.
Reno 1967 would see the arrival of two, FG-1D "Big Hummer", and F4U-4 "Lancer Two'. With Bob Mitchem and 'Hummer' dead on arrival, Mr. Gene Akers would be the first to race a Corsair in the new era. The speeds for #22 in '67 were nothing to write home about, however Gene had mentioned to press that this being his first year of racing, he was only getting his feet wet, but would intend to return later as a 'serious' competitor. No doubt Mr. Akers had drawn some hope from the success of the bent-wing bird during the Cleveland races in '47-'49.
Gene would finish third in the Reno Consolation race, in 1968, at a mere 301.537mph. He would enter the Harolds Club Transcontinental Trophy Dash, which was a cross-country race to kick of Reno in '69. The race was between Milwaukee, to Reno. In similar fashion to the 'Bendix' race of the late 40's. Akers would finish after the deadline, and only ahead of a Bonanza, which was flown by none other than Judy Wagner, famous Formula 1 race pilot.
For the pylon race, Gene would qualify at 281.250mph. In those days, the pairings were mixed between fast and slow qualifiers, so Akers would face some pretty stiff competition in his Heat, and finish 6th of 7. This was not enough to advance into further racing that year.
In 1970, he wouldn't make it to Reno, but entered the California 1000 at Mojave airport, in November of '70. He would qualify 15th of 20, at 282.82mph. During the race he finished 55 of the allotted 66 laps, and this put him in 14th place.
While other Corsairs began to surface, and post speeds well over 300, is seemed Akers just wasn't cuttin' the mustard, for whichever reason, with "Lancer Two". Maybe all that fancy paint added too much weight!?!
For 1971, Gene returned the aircraft to a stock military looking paint scheme, and entered the US Cup Race, at Brown Field, in CA. In similar ways to Mojave, the US Cup was a 1000 mile endurance race, and the aircraft fle a right hand, clockwise lap. Gene took his now no-named corsair to a impressive 6th of 13! But the race was bittersweet, as the life of Mike Geren was lost in the fiery crash of Ron Reynold's #44 Bearcat. Reynolds, for had flown the Cat for the first stint of the race, later regretfully said that given the difficulties experienced, and the way she was going through oil, they should have called it quits during the pit stop.
The California 1000 in '71, was reduced to 1000 kilometers, out of concern for the stamina of the pilots. Akers would have Carl Birdwell fly #22, and he did very well, finishing 38 of the 41 laps, in 5th place! And that at an average speed of over 314mph. Maybe it really was the Lancer paint?? Or the name?
Gene and his partner would sell the aircraft. It would appear at various show for several years, but eventually went to the EAA Museum. Now 'NX6667', 97259 resides with EAA, in Oshkosh, WI.
...by the time this package is released, I could have written a book!
- Joseph
Is that paint for Aircraft Factory Corsair? 
