Unusual FG-1D Corsair ...

[Mark Allen M]

Screen captures from a USMC archive color films, shows a unique modification to the paint scheme of a single FG-1D Corsair. Seen here is VMF-513 aboard CVE-111, USS Vella Gulf, during exercises off San Diego on May 23, 1945, prior to heading overseas. The Corsair in question is painted in the standard factory scheme at the time of overall glossy sea blue. The distinctive markings consist of a red prop hub and tip of tail in addition to the upper outside edges of both wings being trimmed in yellow. Letter / number combination on the fuselage sides, also in yellow, reads "V 14", however the number "58", in white, appears on the stub doors of the landing gear visible from the front. could be the mount of the group's CO?

VTMB-234 TBM-3Es also in back aft.









Here's the videos:

[JohnB]

Just a guess...to help train LSOs...
The bright leading edge would indicate if wings are level, and gear & flaps down.
or...
Considering the Corsair's early problems with carrier operations...maybe someone thought special paint would aid a LSO in guiding Corsair rookies onto the ship.

I've never seen a CO or CAG with a scheme like that.

[Mark Allen M]

Just a guess...to help train LSOs...

Logical guess.

Here's another video related to the USS Vella Gulf

[mike furline]

Just a guess...to help train LSOs...

Logical guess.

Here's another video related to the USS Vella Gulf

Page 2, second paragraph. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/140076873?objectPage=2

Yellow winged Corsair - perhaps to mimic a Japanese aircraft for gunner tracking/training?

[JohnB]

In that case, I could see yellow leading edges, but not the extensive paint on the trailing edge/flaps.

[mike furline]

I could say the same thing for LSO training. Just two shot-in-the-dark guesses.

[JohnB]

Simple..the bright paint on the flaps would show the LSO the flaps are down...and their setting (how far down they are).
That would not necessarily be the case with dark blue flaps against the dark blue of the wing and fuselage.

I'm not carrier qualified, but I'm guessing that flap settings are vital on approach.

Again, a guess.

[mike furline]

The yellow is only on the topside of the flaps, not seen when on approach.

Last edited by mike furline on Sun Jul 14, 2024 8:28 am, edited 3 times in total.

[Cubs2jets]

This might work - if the yellow on the flaps was on the bottom. It's only on the top and unseeable by the LSO...

C2j

[marine air]

This is a total guess. The airplane is used for gunnery training where they track it but have to be careful not to hit it. They practice following it with their AA guns.

[Randy Wilson]

OK, also a WAG. Perhaps an "aggressor" aircraft for ACM training?

Randy

[Randy Wilson]

Got to get a new mouse. Double post.

[Mark Allen M]

Could it be a formation ship for training purposes before Air group being shipped out?

[Xray]

XF4U-1 had yellow leading edges, purpose of which was visibility if it ditched in the ocean.
Looks like it also had colored prop bands.
This may or may not relate to the example posted here, looks to me like all plausible theories have been covered.
I would go with some sort of formation rallying craft, perhaps for a very particular purpose.

Edit: Looks like the entire upper wing surface was painted yellow, not just the leading edges,so probably no direct relation to OP example ,, But obviously, both were painted with visibility in mind.

Attachments

XF4U Color.JPG (31.38 KiB) Viewed 5557 times

[Fouga23]

Formation line-up aircraft?