Need Info on VMF Squadron

[Gary26]

I am having trouble finding info on the VMF 213 Hell Hawks. I found info on when they were formed, pilots, and where they operated, but I am having trouble finding info on the planes. I know they started in the F4u1, but I cant find what model they moved into later in the war. Wouldnt think they would have stayed in the early model F4.

[Stoney]

Well, for example, Jan 1945, they were underway on the USS Essex with 18 F4U-1D assigned.  You can pretty much track their entire progression through the war with this website link:  http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/ww-ii/loc-ac/loc-ac.htm

[Gary26]

Thank you Stoney 

[wells]

from loss lists, looks like they switched from F4F to F4U around April, 1943.  They flew F4U-1 until about July, when they started getting some F4U-1A.  Looks like they retired from combat after September, 1943.

They lost a bunch in Hawaii during November and December, 1944, equipped with F4U-1D, which they took to the Philippines aboard Essex (CV-9) in January, 1945.  One lost in Hawaii in Feb.

http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp