37 years ago today Col. Gregory Pappy Boyington died after a battle with lung cancer. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Below is a profile I did of the aircraft Boyington flew for his final mission when he was shot down and became...
F4U-1A, Lt.(jg) Jack Chasnoff, VF-17, White 20, November 1943. This aircraft had flags with only 15 rays, which was far less common than the normal 16-ray victory markings. The propeller hub and blade roots were painted white. Click the gallery thumbnail below for a...
F4U-1A (BuNo 17915) Major Gregory ‘Pappy’ Boyington, Commanding Officer, VMF-214, Vella Lavella, January, 1944. This was a fairly new Corsair that Boyington flew on two fighter sweeps over Rabaul during VMF-214s second tour. This was the aircraft Boyington...
F4U-1A (BuNo 17740) Major Gregory ‘Pappy’ Boyington, Commanding Officer, VMF-214, Vella Lavella, December, 1943. This aircraft is a pretty typical F4U-1A and has the early 6501A-0 propeller. This Corsair has several unusual marking variations however, one...
F4U-1A (BuNo 55995) Lt.(jg) Ira C. ‘Ike’ Kepford, VF-17, Piva Yoke airfield, Bougainville, Solomons, March 1944. Kepford was officially credited with shooting down 16 Japanese aircraft during his 76 days of flying combat with VF-17 over two tours, which at...
