Did tomcatters have F6F hellcat??

[Alfred]

Hello fellow enthusiasts.

I was reading on the net that the tomcatters VFA-31 at some point flew the Hellcat. back when it was named VF-3. Does anyone know what their marking were like?? Was it blue? did it have the famous cat on its side? I've been looking for pictures all over the internet but there is no reference to any particular Hellcat wearing the VF-3 tomcatters markings or emblems.

Any help would be nice! as Im trying to build every airplane that this squadron used along its existence in 1/48 scale.

thank you in advance

Regards

Alfred

 

[Wurger]

I think you should look for "Felix the Cat" Hellcats of the VF-6 rather. In 1943 after swapping of designations between VF-3 and VF-6 ( on 15 July 1943), the VF-6 squadron was the one with the emblem applied although the VF-3 claimed the same badge. Since the changings the VF-6 has started using the F6F Hellcat planes. The VF-3 seems to be equipped with them at the same period of the time too but I have seen one pic of Hellcat of the squadron only but without the "Felix Cat" emblem. All these images below show the VF-3 planes in 1945 but in fact the squadron doesn't seem to be a successor of the prevous unit. The VFA-31 hasn't been allowed to use the "Fellix Cat"emblem until the VF-6 was decommissioned in November 1946. Regarding the camo colours for the F6F-3 in 1943/1944 , the three-tone scheme is the proper one. The one for the F6F-5 ... solid Glossy Blue.

F6F-3 of the VF-3 near San Diego 1943

F6F-5, White 15, BuNo.78846, VF-3, 1945.

F6F-5, White 6, VF-3 ,USS Yorktown 1945

Group of F6F-5s, VF-3, USS Yorktown, 1945

F6F-3s, VF-3 near San Diego 1943

F6F-5 VF-3 or VF-9 because the same aircraft and markings were taken over by the squadron in March, 1945.

The picture source : the Internet.

 

[Wurger]

Here is a shot of F6F-5s belonging to the VF-6 squadron. I would say there were the "Felix Cat" emblems applied on the fuselages below windscreens.

 

[Alfred]

looks like the usual dark blue, but the under fuselage color looks lighter, perhaps skyblue?
Im very thankful for your replies. they will help a lot!

regards