Robert "Butcher Bob" Hanson's F4U?

Jan,

Marine pilots really didn't have their own planes, and the seldom had individual markings -- including kill markings! Instead, the pilots flew pretty whatever planes were ready that day. It's true that some pilots would often fly the same plane more frequently than the others, but there was never a system where one pilot was assigned one plane. The Navy forbade individual markings on their planes too.

You'll see photos from time to time of Navy/Marine aces with "their" planes. The planes are painted up with a bunch of Japanese flags and sometimes a name. Those kind of photos are almost always staged photo-ops for propaganda. The famous photo of Pappy Boyington shows him in a plane that was painted that morning. The "Lullabelle" name was something that Pappy thought of on a whim.

So the up shot is that, you should simply get markings for either VMF-214 or 215. Finding decals may be somewhat difficult. Most of the VMF-214 decals I've seen on the web are for Boyington's propaganda photo plane. Do a Google search for "VMF-214 dedals."

To find out more about VMF-214 check out two books by Bruce Gamble: Black Sheep: The Definitive Account of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in World War II, and Black Sheep One : The Life of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. I've met Bruce on a couple of occasions and corresponded with him on more occasions. He is a good man, a careful researcher, and a great writer. I've seen both books for sale as trade paper backs at Borders for relatively cheap. They have great photos. I'm pretty sure that Bob Hanson shows up in both books as well. (I think I met him at an air show, by the way.)

I'm sorry I don't know as much about VMF-215.

Good luck!

I second the recommendation of Gamble's book on the Black Sheep. I haven't read the one on Boyington, but several historians in whom I place trust have said it is good. Hanson was killed by ground fire on his third tour of duty.

Wess
Albuquerque

Another good book, written for modelers as well as historians, is "Corsair Aces of WW 2" by Mark Styling. Lots of pictures AND color drawings of many, many Corsairs with what they were wearing during their time in the Pacific. Its published by Osprey Aviation Books. Highly recommended.

I have a friend who flew with Boyington during his first tour with 214. Adding to what Drew said I looked at his log book and there was no specific airplane he flew from day to day. He did have a favorite though.

For Tamiya 1/48 F4U's, If you're planning on modeling an F4U-1A Cutting Edge has a nice set which includes lettering for the 214. 883, 915, and 740 will all work and are representative of the 2nd tour. As stated above just leave the victory markings off. If you want to go with an F4U-1 Birdcage, I would suggest just using the number 13 that comes with the kit. That was my friend's favorite airplane.

I can't give you any recommendations for 1/32 or 1/72 scales.

Have fun!
Dave

According to my reference book "The Blue Devil's, US Navy and Marine Corps Aces of World War II" by Mark Styling & Barrett Tillman, 1st LT Robert M Hanson flew in a F4U-1A BuNO 17596 Marked with the Number 596 (in White), with the VMF-215 squadron, in Torokina, February 1944. There are no significant kill markings or nose art shown on the colour plates they include. And for the VMF-214 all they have shown for a pilot is Boyington, with three different planes!!! Seems a bit lopsided to me. (Don't get me wrong Boyington did what he did, and extremely well, but there were others out there as well!!)

Maybe if you type in the Buno in Google, you can come up with some great references!!! Good luck!!!