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| USMC MAW-2 MAG-12 VMF-216 |
Aircraft History Built by Vought. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1A Corsair bureau number 17736. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to Marine Fighting Squadron 216 (VMF-216) "Bulldogs". Squadron number 25. No known nickname or nose art. On December 10, 1943 at 5:45am took off from Ondonga Airfield on New Georgia piloted by 1st Lt. Robert Marshall as one of seventeen F4U Corsairs on a flight to Torokina Airfield on Bougainville and landed at 7:00am as the first fighters based at the new airfield. At 5:30pm took off from Torokina Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Marshall as one of ten on a flight back to Ondonga Airfield. During the return flight, this Corsair returned due to the loss of his accessory compartment cowling and landed at Torokina Airfield and spent the night. Mission History On December 19, 1943 took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville piloted by 1st Lt. Robert Marshall as one of three Corsairs from VMF-216 flying cover over Rabaul. Over the target, went to assist some P-40s and/or B-24s being attacked by Zeros. This F4U landed back at Torokina Airfield with tail damage and was written off after the mission. Lost was F4U 17806 (MIA) and F4U 17845 (MIA). Wreckage This Corsair was in a bone yard at Torokina Airfield until at least early 1944. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Relatives Robert Marshall, Jr. (son) References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1A Corsair 17736 NARA VMF-216 War Diary December 1-31, 1943 (Action Reports) pages 6-7 (Page 6) "December 10, 1943... Flight Echelon - Seventeen planes took off from Ondonga at 0545 for Torokina, landing at 0700. One plane got off at 0850, and landed at Torokina at 1010..." (Page 7) "One plane, Lt. Marshall, forced to return to Torokina, due to loss of accessory compartment cowling. He spent the night at Torokina." Thanks to Robert Marshall, Jr. and VMF-216 for additional information Contribute
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