BIG HOG
Lt. Cdr. John “Tommy” Blackburn, VF-17, “Jolly Rogers," Ondongo, Solomon Islands, November-December 1943
Part I
Building the VF-17
VF-17 saved discipline for the air, where it counted. Blackburn focused on meshing the pilots with their aircraft then meshing the pilots into a squadron's organization: 2 planes (leader and wingman) in a section; 2 sections in a division of 4 planes; 2 divisions in a flight of 8 planes - a 'flight' being the largest tactical unit; 5 flights in the whole squadron of 36-40 planes (less those under repair). Blackburn used any methods or "corny gimmicks" to raise morale, including red scarves, ‘Jolly Rogers' nickname and a skull-and-crossbones insignia. He picked up the first Corsair himself at Floyd Bennett Field in New York, and promptly learned some lessons on its handling characteristics. By mid-March, the squadron had its 36 plane allotment and all the pilots had flown them. About this time, his F4U acquired its 'Hog' nickname, and Blackburn, vowing not to be stuck without a call sign, dubbed his aircraft 'Big Hog.’
Part II
Detail Notes
- Port side repairs visible as big spots
Short tail wheel, modified doors
360-degree cowl flaps
13' 4" paddle blade propeller? s/b 13' 4"
Red propeller nose?
No flap step
No wing hand holds
Smooth tread tires
Part III
Building the Big Hog
Happy Birthday to me: it seems I felt like channeling KennyX, who announced he would be building Big Hog in 1/32 (or 1/48) awhile back. Well, here I am as well but in a different scale and with my own agendas. Mainly I want to explore the weathering issues and challenges which come part and parcel with a Corsair. A chance build up of “eBay Bucks” with a February 2 expiration date led to the choice of kit. I could not afford to spend very much. Since when did postage cost so much? More than the kit did. Thanks should be made to Carlos who was kind enough to answer my questions and suggest ideas for a kit out of his usual scale. Thanks, bud. You’re an ace. Thanks should also be made to John for his masterful Boyington build in 1/32. I do not know if I have ever seen anything done quite so well in memory. Another ace. If anyone is keeping score, I still have the Bf 109 going as well as a mystery project based on a spotter’s craft from 1948, and a pair of adorable logging disconnects I am building for their builder who is still finalizing the details. Everything else is on hiatus until summer. There is enough going on here to keep me busy for awhile.
At present I am trying to locate better versions of the Red and Blue outlined photos. Can anyone help me?
