SPA Modeler

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?

As Hawkeye said in a M*A*S*H episode, “Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy!” I’m looking forward to this one.

Lyle! Thank you kindly for joining the tea party! All the best to you! Also I heard from KennyX and his is a weathering redux of his project—and I’m excited to follow along with him, too—whenever that hits this forum.

where has Kenny been? He is miss d.

He is around; he’s within hollering distance on Facebook if ya need to catch up!

Very cool. Can't wait to see this build!

Medic! Thanks, buddy. I’m grateful you’re coming along for the ride. Sincerely. All the best!

Oh I am sure gonna watch this one!

Maybe it’s me, but the blue outlined photo looks to my eye to be a model photoshopped into an actual photo background.

Oh, now that makes sense about photoshopping...

I'll be along for the ride here too. Can't wait to see what you do with this