VMF(AW)-115 Skyray

[vanmac]

Looking for photos of said US Marine Corps aircraft with the (AW) designation painted along the fuselage. There seems to be a nice assortment of photos of the F4D with the AE tail code without the (AW) marking, but few showing the full designation as noted in subject line. Note: a variation, using a dash instead of the proper parenthesis, is also floating around. Not interested in that version.

 

[GreenKnight121]

As you wish:

Compared to:

and:

 

[Dimlee]

I always thought that Skyray was a "domestic" interceptor - until today, when I saw this photo with Asian gentlemen (the second one). Taiwan during the Straits Crisis, probably?

 

[vanmac]

As you wish:


View attachment 848621

Compared to:

View attachment 848622

and:

View attachment 848623

Thanks GreenKnight! The top photo is the ticket. 'Preciate it.

 

[vanmac]

I always thought that Skyray was a "domestic" interceptor - until today, when I saw this photo with Asian gentlemen (the second one). Taiwan during the Straits Crisis, probably?

Yes indeed, late 1958. Gotta look out for the Formosa Straits. You know your birds and your history!

 

[GreenKnight121]

I have no translation but.....

 

[SaparotRob]

I have no translation but.....


View attachment 849799

Set on ground
Point away from face
Light fuse
Get away
With loud report

 

[Dimlee]

Translated by Gemini (Google AI):
[Top] VMF(AW)-115's F4D-1 (VE16 / 134895) on scramble alert at a base in the Far East (Atsugi, Iwakuni, or Taiwan?). This squadron was a unit with a very deep training presence in the Far East, and its "VE" tail code with white, red, and dark blue stripes (despite the aircraft designations changing frequently) was often seen in Japan. VMF(AW)-115, through the US Navy and Marine Corps, flew the F4D-1 until the end (1964)...