[Shawn 507]

Did the Marines use Hellcats prior to receiving the Corsair? I seem to recall they did, but cannot find proof. I'm thinking if true, It would be a nice version for Dragon or HM to make. I suspect it would be in the light blue over white/grey.
- Shawn

[skysurfer808]

The Marines only used Wildcats and Buffalos before the Corsair, as the F4U's carrier suitability problems led the Navy to concentrate on obtaining Hellcats, while the Marines got the Corsairs. A few Corsairs were issued to Navy units (VF-12 and VF-17) and Butch O'Hare flew one for awhile here on Maui back in late 1942, but the majority of initial production went straight to the Marines. This was a lucky break for the Corps, a happy coincidence Marine Aviators were happy to take advantage of. VMF-124 was the first USMC squadron issued with F4U-1s, and was quickly followed by many more. By mid 1943, the Corsair had already replaced the majority of Wildcats in the Soloman Islands area. Meanwhile, Grumman was busy ramping up Hellcat production to provide fighters for the new fleet of Essex and Independence class carriers. From December 1942 to December 1943, 7 Essex and 9 Independence class carriers were commissioned, all of which needed fighters. Navy fighter squadrons had also by this time expanded to a 36(Essex) and 24(Indy) aircraft establishment, so you can imagine the demand for Hellcats at that time. This also led to the original VF-17 Jolly Rogers being left on the beach as a land based unit, as the Fast Carrier Task Force's decision to concentrate on Hellcats meant that Corsair spares would be hard to come by in the fleet. On the other hand, operating in the Solomans alongside the Marines, the Jolly Rogers would have ample access to Corsair spares.

Because of these decisions, until 1945 the only Corsairs based with the Fleet were the nightfighters of VF(N)-101 aboard the Enterprise. However, by 1944 Hellcat production had increased, and the Marines had decided to adopt the Hellcat for use as a night fighter, replacing the radar equipped F4U-2 Corsair. Seven Marine Nightfighter squadrons were equipped with the Hellcat, VMF(N) 532, 533, 534, 541, 542, 543, and 544. Initially the Marine nightfighter hellcats flew F6F-3Ns, but later were equipped with F6F-5N's capable of mounting 2 20 MM cannon (not all aircraft were thus configured) and 4 .50 cals. Marine Nightfighter aces Bruce Porter and Wallace Sigler both used the night Hellcat to score their fifth victories (their other 4 were in Corsairs) while Captain Robert Baird shot down 6 in 5 interceptions in June and July 1945. The 3 Marine Squadrons on Okinawa VMF(N) 533, 542, and 543 accounted for 69 victories during their campaign there. VMF(N)-541 defended the Philippines, replacing a squadron of P-61 Black Widows at the special request of General MaCarthur, while 534 covered the Marianas and later Ulithi. By the end of the War, the Night Hellcat was itself being replaced in Marine service by another aircraft with carrier suitability issues....the magnificent F7F Tigercat. VMF(N)s 533 and 544 transitioned by mid 1945, and 533's Tigercats made it to Okinawa on August 14, 1945, the day before the end of the war.

So as you can see, there were not any land based Marine Hellcats, except for the nightfighters, which would have been painted in the standard 3 tone mid war camo, and later in overall glossy sea blue. There were several land based Navy Hellcat units, serving mostly through the Soloman's campaign, but no Marine dayfighter Hellcats. The Legend of Marine Corps dayfighter Hellcats probably comes from the classic Flying Leathernecks, where John Wayne leads a squadron of them to Guadalcanal. This was because Wildcats were scarce by the time RKO filmed in the early 50s, so Navy Reserve Hellcats were pressed into service to act as stand ins for the Wildcats. If you pause some of the flying shots of the Hellcats on the DVD, you can see where the Orange reserve bands were painted out with blue paint.

Skysurfer808

[Shawn 507]

Well shoot! Would have been a nice alternate marking. Thanks for the info!!
- Shawn

[bsmith13]

Nicely put, Skysurfer! Can you recommend some mid- to late-war Naval Aviation books? I've just finished the two "First Team" books by John Lundgren, and I am curious as to how Naval Aviation continued to develop through the end of the war.

[skysurfer808]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

Nicely put, Skysurfer! Can you recommend some mid- to late-war Naval Aviation books? I've just finished the two "First Team" books by John Lundgren, and I am curious as to how Naval Aviation continued to develop through the end of the war.

I'd recommend Skysurfer's A Century of Naval Aviation, copyright 2011.

No seriously. I would like to write that thing someday.

Actually though, there just isn't the same depth of resources available for the period after as Lundstrom's First Team books, which set the standard for WW2 aviation research. I gleaned the information I posted about Marine Hellcats from several sources.

1. The History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II, by Robert Sherrod. This is the standard reference book on WW2 USMC aviation, written back in 1952, it is the resource for students of WW2 Marine operations. The book also contains a section with every single Marine Squadron history, CO's etc...but unfortunately no Aircraft types listed per squadron. Still, it is a fine compilation history of Marine Air operations, with sections detailing WW-1, Interwar, and WW-2 Operations till VJ Day. The book also mentions the Marine Bat Bomber project, when the mad scientists were convinced that arming bats with firebombs would be a wonder weapon. The idea was to drop sedated bats over enemy cities...but the idea never really could be practically developed, and the bats ended up doing more damage to our side.

2. US Navy Fighter Squadrons in World War II, by Barrett Tillman. This book gives an overview of all the Navy Fighter squadrons that served in combat during WW2. It is my standard reference regarding Navy Fighter squadrons. Tillman has also done books on the Wildcat, Corsair, Dauntless, and Hellcat, all of which are worth checking out.

3. United States Naval Fighters of World War II, by Michael O'Leary. Writen in 1980, this one is a good overview of the different types of WW2 USN Fighters, with chapters covering the Buffalo, Wildcat, Hellcat, Tigercat, and Bearcat. Lots of black and white photos, not so deep in research but good overviews of various events, and an interview with Pappy Boyinton in the Corsair chapter.

4. The Blue Devils. This is a compilation of Osprey's Wildcat, Corsair, and Hellcat Aces series, all in one volume. It is another one of my standard references both for aircraft and pilots, and where I obtained the info on the Marine nightfighter activities over Okinawa.

5. A great Hellcat book is Hellcat, by David Anderton, which is also a chapter in the Great Book of World War II Airplanes. This particular book was one of my favorites growing up, and a newer copy I ebayed is happily in my possession. This book contains Ryuku Watanabe's excellent illustrations, and even includes a section on the Tail Markings of different Carrier Groups in 1945.

The fact is that the sheer number of Airplanes, Units, Ships, and pilots involved make an accurate Lundstrom style compilation of the later stages of the Carrier War problematic. I'm not saying it is impossible, but difficult. On the other hand, Gun Cameras were much better, and after action reporting much better. This is a project I would happily tackle on behalf of the book reading public.

Hope that helps.

Honorable mention always goes to Eric Brown's Wings of the Navy...which provides a great overview of the quirks of different WW2 Carrier Aircraft.

Finally, I have both a copy and an original Hellcat Pilot's manual....if there are any questions, it's in the manual (actually not).

Skysurfer808

[Gort]

Originally Posted by skysurfer808

I'd recommend Skysurfer's A Century of Naval Aviation, copyright 2011.

No seriously. I would like to write that thing someday.

By chance, are you a published author, skysurfer? If not, you should definitely pursue the craft. You exhibit a practiced, happy talent for word smithing.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Gort

By chance, are you a published author, skysurfer? If not, you should definitely pursue the craft. You exhibit a practiced, happy talent for word smithing.

Yeah, and you can sell your books here with autograph included!

[skysurfer808]

Thanks guys.

That is my number one long term life goal...to become a published author and Aviation History expert...a la Bill Gunston.

I'm looking into programs for a Masters Degree in Aviation history, which I feel is a under-represenented in Universities. After all, Aviation was the means by which America became a great power. These days Gunship diplomacy fulfills the role Gunboat diplomacy did during the Victorian era. To that end, I have decided to leave Maui, which is a great place but stagnant on the professional/intellectual level. That was why I did the Great Skysurfer Moving Sale, and am reducing my collection to something that will fit in my car. Starting June 1, I am embarking on a long term journey to travel across America and attempt to find a place where I can focus my interests on my true passions.

Skysurfer808

[P-51D Mustang]

"Although the Grumman F6F Hellcat was not as spectacular a performer as the Vought F4U Corsair, it was the strong point of carrier-based aviation in the U.S. Navy during the last two years of the war. Only 14 months elapsed between the prototype's first flight and the plane's debut in combat. From August 31, 1943, until the war ended, the 12,272 Hellcats proved to be worthy successors of the Wildcats. According to U.S. Navy records, of the 6,477 enemy planes destroyed in air combat by carrier-based planes, 4,947 were downed by F6Fs. This total reaches 5,156 if one adds the victories of the land-based Hellcats piloted by Marines"

(Source: Enzo Angelucci & Paolo Matricardi, in "World War II Airplanes, Volume 2)



http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/backdoor.htm

[CKS1]

Originally Posted by skysurfer808

Thanks guys.

That is my number one long term life goal...to become a published author and Aviation History expert...a la Bill Gunston.

I'm looking into programs for a Masters Degree in Aviation history, which I feel is a under-represenented in Universities. After all, Aviation was the means by which America became a great power. These days Gunship diplomacy fulfills the role Gunboat diplomacy did during the Victorian era. To that end, I have decided to leave Maui, which is a great place but stagnant on the professional/intellectual level. That was why I did the Great Skysurfer Moving Sale, and am reducing my collection to something that will fit in my car. Starting June 1, I am embarking on a long term journey to travel across America and attempt to find a place where I can focus my interests on my true passions.

Skysurfer808

Good luck to you Mr Skysurfer,

I hope you achieve your quest.

Cheers CKS1.