VF-17 info

[SIK1]

Here is an odd question that I'm hoping one of you might know.

I'm working on a F4U-1A model and I want to do one of VF-17's bird but I don't want to do the ones every one else has done ie. Blackburns #1 "Big Hog", or Kepford's #29. the plane I would like to do is Blackburn's original wingman Lt.(jg) D.H Gutenkunst. The problem is I can't find what number his plane was.  

All the paintings of Blackburn's "Big Hog" show his wingman in plane #2, but the source I have (The Skull and Cross Bones Squadron by Lee Cook) says that is Ens. R. (Windy) Hill's plane. Did he get the #2 plane after Gutenkunst was killed or did Gutenkunst fly a differant number plane?

[Guppy35]

Do you have Opsrey's book "Corsair Aces of WW2" ?

Lots of VF-17 birds.  Best looker to me is Strieg's bird with the red surround to the national insignia.  Brings a bit of color to it.

I can scan it if you don't have it

Strieg's is white 3 btw

White 34 "LA City Limits" might be fun too.

[SIK1]

Yes Streig's #3 is sharp but if the paintings showing Blackburn and his wingman are correct they both had the red surround around the national insignia as well.

On a side note both #7, and #34 carried "LA City Limits" both flown by Lt(jg) D.C. (Chico) Freeman. Also early on then Ens. I.C. (Ike) Kepford flew #7. That old #7 sure did get around.

For those that don't know the story. Lt.(jg) D.H. (Gute) Gutenkunst was killed in a mid air collision with a badly damaged, and wounded Marine corsair both were attempting to land at Piva Yoke airstrip.

This model is my way of paying a tribute to a fallen hero.