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| USN VF-38 |
Pilot Lt Wayne Riley, USNR (survived) Ditched September 16, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Grumman as Model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. Constructors Number unknown. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-3 Hellcat bureau number unknown. Wartime History Assigned to Fighting Squadron 38 (VF-38). No known nickname, nose art, fuselage code or tail code. Mission History On September 16, 1943 took off from Munda Airfield piloted by Lt Wayne Riley on a mission to escort twenty-four TBF Avengers attacking Ballale Island. The escort consisted of 13 Hellcats from VF-38. Other attacking aircraft included: 31 SBD, 11 F6F Hellcats from VF-40, in addition to other F6F, F4U, P-40, P-38's making up a total of 71 escorting fighters. Over the target, 40-50 intercepting Zeros and heavy anti-aircraft encountered. In the ensuing dogfights, 3 Zeros were destroyed and a probable claimed. American losses were: F4U 17127 and three F6F from VF-38 (two ditched, including F6F 25839 and this aircraft), and one Hellcat was damaged, landing at Munda, then flown to Fighter One for a week of repairs. This Hellcat ditched, pilot Riley was rescued (details unknown). References USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List September 1943 does not list Riley Ted Darcy believes this loss information is incorrect Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 19, 2021 |
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