Solomons-based F4U-1A (pics needed)

[Chicoartist]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a few good detail pics of F4U-1As for an upcoming painting. What I need specifically are close-up shots showing a Solomons campaign-outfitted pilot on board with the canopy slid back. The ideal shot(s) would be taken in an arc from approximately 10:30 to 1:30, and slightly high (looking down at the pilot). Those parameters are ideal - close is fine, and much appreciated as well.

My painting will show a couple of F4Us as seen from roughly those "clock" positions, and using photographs as a guide I can "interpolate" the cockpit details by hand.

I'd appreciate good dpi scans so I can print the pix out and have them handy as I sketch the outline.

The piece will depict VF-17 Corsairs in November 1943. I'll post the completed pencil study here when it's finished.

Thx in advance ,

Wade

Direct email --> chicoartist --at-- yahoo.com

[Jack Cook]

Wade,
Why haven't you come to me??
I'd thought you'd sen the light my brother.
Lets see VF-17 hum.....................
#4 "OC" Chenoweth and #28 "Beads" Popp.

[Chicoartist]

Jack Cook's collection always applies to my work!

I've decided to go with Blackburn's 'Hog for this one* mainly because of the red prop hub (will add nicely to the red surround to the national insignia) ... I'll put his normal wingie (Doug Gutenkunst in #2) in there as well. Fitting, as Gutenkunst was a KIA a few months later in a mid-air collision.

Thanks for any help!

Wade

*There will be more - I have a lot of "Corsair" (USN and USMC) lost time to make up for!

[Jack Cook]

I've decided to go with Blackburn's 'Hog for this one* mainly because of the red prop hub (will add nicely to the red surround to the national insignia) ... I'll put his normal wingie (Doug Gutenkunst in #2) in there as well. Fitting, as Gutenkunst was a KIA a few months later in a mid-air collision.

Blackburn was cool guy and worshiped his friendship with Gutenkunst.
Chenoweth's #4 had a red prop dome also has on the 1st tour it was Teeth Burris's a/c in Blackburn's flight!
I've got Jerry Crandall's painting of them in my den.

[Mike Schneider]

Well right aircraft, canopy is back, wrong island, squad and angle, BUT you gotta love 8x50's

Still looking but wanted to share.

[Jack Cook]

Here ya go Wade..................

Ens Beads Popp VF-17 in F4U-1A #28 Bouganville

Ens Beads Popp VF-17 with F4U-1A #28 after 2nd kill Bouganville

Ens Beads Popp with his first Corsair #31 shared with Ray Beacham at Ondongo.

(L-R) Wharton, Gutenkunst, March, Blackburn, Killefer, Streig, Herrmann and Taylor USMC

LT Oc Chenoweth VF-17 8.5 kills

Killefer's #5

Chico Freeman

Oc Chenoweth, Jim Dixon, Dan Cunningham & Lou Fitzgerald Vf-17 on Bouganville

[Rob Mears]

Talk about a rare find. Trying to match actual Bureau Numbers to some of those well known Corsairs like "Ruthless II" is near impossible. Extremely fortunate to have that close-up, and I'm suprised to see the relative quality of the Chenoweth's artwork too! Another excellent photo Jack - thanks!!

[Jack Cook]

and I'm suprised to see the relative quality of the Chenoweth's artwork too!

You should see the Hellcat he flew with VF-38 before he joined VF-17!

[oscardeuce]

When did they put 8 50's in the wings?

[Jack Cook]

When did they put 8 50's in the wings?

That's Sear's best!!

[Chicoartist]

Thanks, guys - of course, they got up to TEN .50s in some cases! I guess TWELVE would have been overdoing it a bit, eh? 'Course, by the time the guys started exploiting the supremacy of the Corsair over the Zeke, a bunch of painted-on guns were a moot point, anyway.

That shot of the Hog blasting through the water looks like Munda Point; very similar to other shots known to be taken at Munda. Munda was/is just down the, uh, "road" from VF-17s first-tour base at Ondonga, also on the island of New Georgia. Munda is easily-enough found on GoogleEarth, but Ondonga seems to have been swallowed up - problem is the parallel runways are still sorta-there, but it's in an area of poor GoogleEarth coverage.

You guys are gonna like this painting, I hope. I've dug up a bit of "markings" info for several VF-17 ships that nobody has yet depicted in artwork before ...

Wade

[Chicoartist]

Those who are like me and fascinated by the "Then and Now" aspect to military aviation history may want to see this bit about Ondonga, VF-17s first-tour base in the Solomons, from the Pacific Wrecks site:

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/ ... donga.html

Wade

[Mike Schneider]

Good eye, yes Munda. 10 50 cal's? Ok I got that. Pay no mind to the inline, least it's in the background.

And sorry for the huge image, but I love detail.

[Chicoartist]

Dudes! I asked for pixels, and you guys delivered ... very much appreciated!

Love the wings with the "outlined" 10-pack!

Wade