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Snautzer01
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Nice shots!
Good shots!
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Peter Gunn
Master Sergeant
What's with the white outlines on the top and leading edges?
Not at the wing leading edges.. The white was at the fuselage top , stabilizers and both sides of the fins. The Hellcat 117 and 118 belonged to the VF-34 ( formerly VF-53 ) in 1944. Not sure about the Black 3 and 5 but it may indicate that the front of the engine cowling could be of white too, depending on the period of time.
Here is another shot of such painted Hellcats that is a right part of the shot with the Black 3 ( its port wing can be seen partially ) . You may notice the Black 1, 6 and 7 painted in the same way. At the Asisbiz site you may find more images ( see the link below ) also with Black 100. Their captions say VF-38 in 1943. But it is possible it could be a mistake.
The pic source: Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat VF-38 White 117 Lolly Lt Lochridge at Munda airfield New Georgia Sep 1943
Here is another shot of such painted Hellcats that is a right part of the shot with the Black 3 ( its port wing can be seen partially ) . You may notice the Black 1, 6 and 7 painted in the same way. At the Asisbiz site you may find more images ( see the link below ) also with Black 100. Their captions say VF-38 in 1943. But it is possible it could be a mistake.
The pic source: Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat VF-38 White 117 Lolly Lt Lochridge at Munda airfield New Georgia Sep 1943
Peter Gunn
Master Sergeant
Yeah, the third photo down of Black 3 looks like the cowl and leading edges are white as well unless it's a trick of the light. Was there a reason for it though is my question. Or was it just their way of squadron identification ala Eighth AF Mustang/Thunderbolt units?
I see. The Black 3 had the white on the engine cowl with no doubt. The wing leading edges look like you said. It's a light trick caused by the white undersides and top colour fading due to the sun, dust or sand. As a result the demarcation line of the top and bottom colours seems to run a little bit up than it was. The white on the cowl and fuselage with tail tops seems to be the squadron way of ID. However please notice that the White 117 and 118 are VF-34 Hellcats in 1944 during the end of the Cartwheel Operation. Presumably, the pic could be taken on the Green Island. The shots with Hellcats , Black 1,3,5 6,7 and 100 were taken on Gudalcanal in 1943 and present planes of the VF-38 squadron. The image of the VF-34 F6F-3s is often confused just with the pics of the VF-38 Hellcats. Maybe
D
Dana Bell
could shed more light on that.
fubar57
General
MIflyer
1st Lieutenant
A drone Hellcat like that one was the victor in the infamous "Battle of Palmdale."
Gotta disagree. Look at the picture of Black 5 I posted earlier (#84) and enlarge to original size. Even though the view of the picture is from the port rear of the a/c, you can clearly see the white leading edge of the starboard wing. Harder to see on the port wing, but the starboard wing is quite clear and apparent. The "break" line between the white on the leading edge and the blue of the wing is consistent and a sharp line unlike fading or chipping/worn paint.
My observation is regarding the Black 3 but not for Black 5. However I have still a doubt that the Hellcat had the demarcation line at the leading edges as you suggested. You are right it looks like but it is the light trick in my opinion. Neither the enlarged shot of the Black 1, 6, and 7 nor the image of the Black 3 reveals the white paint applied in the suggested way. Here is another shot of the Black 5 but taken later. It can be noticed that the "uniform" of the Hellcat was very worn. The traces of the paint touch up can be seen. But there is no trace of the white on the leading edge of the port wing although it should be seen on the folded one if it would be applied there.
the source: Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat VF-38 White 117 Lolly Lt Lochridge at Munda airfield New Georgia Sep 1943
Additionally here is Black 100. Also no white leading edges.
The close up image of the Black 100 reveals that the demarcation line ( similar to Black 3 ) at the leading edge of the folding wing could be located a little bit up than the fixed wing part had. It is possible the maintenance crew could repaint the underside coat at the leading edge overspraying slightly the original demarcation line , especially at the area of the MGs.
The pic source: Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat VF-38 White 117 Lolly Lt Lochridge at Munda airfield New Georgia Sep 1943
the source: Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat VF-38 White 117 Lolly Lt Lochridge at Munda airfield New Georgia Sep 1943
Additionally here is Black 100. Also no white leading edges.
The close up image of the Black 100 reveals that the demarcation line ( similar to Black 3 ) at the leading edge of the folding wing could be located a little bit up than the fixed wing part had. It is possible the maintenance crew could repaint the underside coat at the leading edge overspraying slightly the original demarcation line , especially at the area of the MGs.
The pic source: Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat VF-38 White 117 Lolly Lt Lochridge at Munda airfield New Georgia Sep 1943
