Warbird Information Exchange

LSFM's Hellcat was back on display after a long term repaint. The scheme is for VF17 as they served on the USS Hornet (CV-12) in 1945. LSFM picked this scheme to represent two Houston area WWII Naval aviators: Billy Watts and Tilly Pool.
The point and shoot I used makes the color appear to be black, but it is really a dark blue.

Nice scheme! Glad to see the change from the old-school bright blue scheme. Very nice that they get to honor a couple local vets too. Well done LSFM!

_________________
Matt

Magnificent! I think the LSFM Hellcat just went from being the worst to being one of the best looking Hellcats anywhere.

PS - Do my eyes deceive me or are the rear windows gone as well? Excellent!

+1! She really looks sharp! Glad to see the "baby blue" and polished prop gone.

Thread-jack alert: any progress to report on the Privateer?

SN

We needed a fresh Hellcat on the scene! I agree, the paint has transformed what was an old eyesore into a premier warbird. Can't wait to see it in person now!

_________________
Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Wow. I'm speechless!

I've always been of the opinion that the Hornet aircraft had the coolest geometric patterns of all World War II aircraft.

I cannot wait to see this bird at some point in the very near future!

Nice!

Wiki "The Jolly Rogers began during World War II as Fighter Squadron 17 (VF-17) on January 1, 1943. The squadron was one of the first navy squadrons to fly the Vought F4U Corsair fighter. Because their plane was called Corsair, VF-17's men wanted a squadron name that would correspond with that pirate theme. They came up with the now-famous black flag with white skull and crossbones symbol and decided on the name Jolly Rogers. The Jolly Rogers painted their new logo on the sides of the engine cowling, not under the cockpit as tradition called for, so it wouldn't clutter up the fuselage where their kill markings would later be painted. Thus, the legend was born. In October 1943 VF-17 was made a land based squadron because they still flew the Corsair and the safety of these planes carrier operations was in question. April 10, 1944 the original VF-17 stands down and the CO is re-assigned. Under a new CO VF-17 began its second tour but this time on aboard USS Hornet and flying the F6F Hellcat. They first flew the F6F on strikes against Tokyo on February 16 1945. On March 18, 1945 over Kanoya and April 16, 1945 near Okinawa the Jolly Rogers scored 31 victories each day. VF-17 managed to score a total of 161 victories and made 12 aces while flying the Hellcat. The combined score for both tours brought the total to 313 narrowly beating the single deployment record of 30 held by VF-15"


F6F-5 of VF-17 on the deck of the USS Hornet 1945 (NMNA archives)


F6F-5 of VF-17 on the deck of the USS Hornet 1945 (NMNA archives)


F6F-5's of VF-17 on the deck of the USS Hornet 1945 (NMNA archives)


F6F-5 of VF-17 skidding on the deck of the USS Hornet 1945(NMNA archives)


Lt. Cdr. Charles 'Billy' Watts flew the F6F-5 Hellcat with VF-18 aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill and flew a second combat tour with VF-17 "Jolly Rogers" aboard the U.S.S. Hornet during the Second World War. He is credited with 8.75 air victories in the Hellcat and is a recipient of the Navy Cross Medal. (Southern California Friends of the American Fighter Aces Association)


Lt. Tilman Pool flew the F6F-5 Hellcat with VF-17 "Jolly Rogers" aboard the U.S.S. Hornet during the Second World War. He is credited with 6 air victories in the F6F Hellcat and all his victories were against Japanese Navy & Army fighter planes. (Southern California Friends of the American Fighter Aces Association)

_________________
“PMURT KCUF”

Hmmm! which one! decisions, decisions! ...


FHC Hellcat
Photo Jason Fortenbacher



Friedkin Hellcat
Photo Michael O'Leary


CAF Hellcat
Photo CAF SoCal wing


TFC Hellcat
Photo flightline UK

_________________
“PMURT KCUF”

Then there's the non-flyers at the moment. Even though isn't the TFC Hellcat also not flying at the moment? Oh well. Did I miss one? Sorry for a bit of thread hijacking.


Palm Springs Air Museum Hellcat


Air Zoo Museum Hellcat

_________________
“PMURT KCUF”

Was this Hellcat originally a F6F-5N? If so, it is nice they incorporated that little detail on the repaint.

Jim

Thanks for all those nice photos. The LSFM has one good looking Hellcat now and we all know there just cant be too many great looking Hellcats around.

_________________
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

I do like the new scheme, but I liked the old one too. Maybe WOH debut for the new scheme??

From Volume 1 of "Remembering The Canadian Yanks";

Ensign Carr was assigned to VF-15 when the Squadron was Commissioned into service on September 1, 1943 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was promoted to Lieutenant (jg) on January 1, 1944 and to Lieutenant in June. The Squadron served on the Essex from April to November, 1944. They flew F6F-3/5 and F6F-3N/5N Hellcats and, at their apex, were a large fifty-four plane Squadron.

"Satan's Playmates" flew only one tour, but what a deployment it was, shooting down 310 enemy aircraft - a Naval record which has never been equaled.

The Squadron started combat with forty-seven Pilots and reached a peak of sixty-one early in November. They counted twenty-six Aces among their ranks and their Carrier Air Group Commander (CAG) was none other than Commander David S. McCampbell, the Navy's top scoring World War II Ace and CMoH winner. He personally was credited with 34 of the Squadrons total of 310 victories.

Cheers.

Tom Walsh.

Bill Watts and Bill Hardy, both VF-17 vets, live in the Houston area I believe. They did a program for me at the CAF Museum several years ago. One of their best stories was of being launched off the stern of Hornet because of storm damage to the bow. Great guys, and it is nice to see the Hellcat in its new scheme..

Now we need to start a WIX fund to have the Pond airplane repainted too! It's nearly as bad as the LSFM airplane was prior to the repaint. Hey, I've got to have SOMETHING to criticize right?