Did they not have some -1's? I know more about VMF-214 because my dad was CO of the real VMA-214 from '85-'87. I have a copy of Frank Waltons book "Once they were Eagles", he was the Intel officer for VMF-214 and there are pictures of the many planes Boyington and others flew. Most were -1a/d's not birdcage, but there were one or two -1's left even as late as the end of '43 early '44. Possibly VF-17 being a Navy squad got priority on new planes and therefore never had the -1? Surely since they got operational aircraft in what, june/july '43 they must have had some -1's.
At any rate, make one for the -1, it will still be worth it.