Skin Request F4F-4 VGF-29 USS Santee Operation Torch

[Arlo]

After several requests for a combat assignment, (Lcdr. Blackburn) received orders in July 1942 to organize VGF-29 as commanding officer and report aboard the new escort carrier USS Santee. VGF-29 was equipped with the Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat. Blackburn assembled a ready room of mainly brand new ensigns fresh from winning their wings at advanced flying school at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Luckily he had the assistance of a combat veteran from the recent Battle of the Coral Sea, Lt.(jg) Harry "Brink" Bass who received the Navy Cross for his attack on the Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō.

Blackburn set up operations at a remote field at Pungo well away from the brass and traffic at NAS Norfolk and was soon promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Pungo suited Blackburn fine as he wanted an undisturbed environment to get the squadron acquainted with the Wildcat and ready for deployment and the combat likely to follow.

The squadron embarked aboard USS Santee in October 1942 to participate in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa. Arriving in the waters off Morocco on November 6, VGF-29 flew first combat mission on 8 November but could not find their target, and poor weather and damaged homing equipment aboard Santee forced them to ditch or force-land their Wildcats. Blackburn floated adrift in a life raft for 3 days before he was spotted by a destroyer and rescued. Thus ended VGF-29's inauspicious debut and Blackburn's first combat deployment. Shortly thereafter, Blackburn was ordered to stand up a new squadron. (VF-17)

[whiteman]

Pretty bird

[Arlo]

The Shillelaghs. Couldn't find a skin of Shillelagh 01.

[Greebo]

I can do a VGF-29 skin for you Arlo. Luckily I don't need to do any research for it as I collected a few photos of 29-GF-10 having a landing accident while researching my VF-9 Operation Torch skin. It will be the next skin after an A-20G I am working on.

[lyric1]

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Wildcat/VGF29/pages/Grumman-F4F-4-Wildcat-VGF-29-Black-29GF10-landing-mishap-CVE-29-USS-Santee-Torch-1942-02.html

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Wildcat/VGF29.html

[Arlo]

I can do a VGF-29 skin for you Arlo. Luckily I don't need to do any research for it as I collected a few photos of 29-GF-10 having a landing accident while researching my VF-9 Operation Torch skin. It will be the next skin after an A-20G I am working on.

Thank you!

[Greebo]

Here is my VGF-29 skin Arlo.

Thanks to Lyric1 for finding photos of the aircraft I used as reference. These show it having its rear fuselage torn off in a deck landing accident and being dumped over the side of the carrier.

[Spikes]

She's a beaut Greebo.

[Vraciu]

That is friggin’ sharp, bro!

[Devil 505]

Most Excellent.

[Arlo]

Thank you so much. Means a lot. 

[lyric1]

 

[puller]

Love wildcats