Long shot Hellcat id

[Scott Rose]

Anybody have an idea of what unit this plane is from and perhaps the pilots name. I know its a long shot but if anybody can ID it you guys can.

[Old Shep]

I have a photo of my dad in front of a Hellcat...either taken at Melbourne, Fla during operational training or at Los Alamitos, CA during AG 15 work-ups in mid-1945. The buzz number is prominent on the fuse, just like in your pix. He doesn't really remember where the pix was taken, so I can't be any more helpful than that.
Bill C

[Rob Mears]

I'm thinking that V code is a El Toro bird. Could be the San Diego coastline in the background. These were pool aircraft used for training so they were not paired with particular pilots.

[mike furline]

My first thought is, thats Hawaii in the background. Looks to lush for San Diego.

Regards,
Mike

[m50a1ontos]

I'd put that at Hawaii as well...just up the coast from Barbers Point. I forget the name of the town (village?) up the coast from Maka Kilo....that could be Kole Kole pass in the background?

If the background is Hawaii, and I agree that it looks like it, a Feb 11, 1945 letter by Commander, Air Force Pacific introduced an ID system for aircraft within the Hawaiian Sea Frontier consisting of a letter followed by a two digit number. The markings were to be 36 inches high and in white if on a dark background and in black if on a light background.
NAS Barbers Point = A through F
NAS Kaneohe = G and H
NAS Ford Island - I and J
NAS Kahului = K though N
NAS Puuenene = O P and Q
NAS Hilo = R S and T
and MCAS Ewa = U V and W

Therefore, possibly 1945 photo of Marine aircraft of MCAS Ewa

Source: Eliott's Official Monogram US Navy & Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guid Vol 2 1940-49 pp 118-120