VF-51 was first stationed on the San Jacinto also known as the "Flagship of the Texas Navy" March to November 1944. The squad was a believer in team work and sported most likely the highest ratio of shared kills, 27 of 51. The squads top score was from Lt. William R. Maxwell with 7. He was credited with their first 2 kills, a Betty and a Emily over the Marianas on 11 June 1944. They bagged 7 on 15 June and another 7 the first day of the Turkey Shoot 19 June. 15 October brought the squads single best day with 9 kills and followed it with 2 each on the 17th and 20th. Only 4 of the squads 51 kills came over land, showing the importance of the CAP role CVL FitRons flew.
"Little Joe" has the distinctive "X" which identified San Jacinto aircraft during that time period. I didn't put the nose art on both sides as I haven't seen proof and haven't seen anything other than squad art on both sides of USN Carrier aircraft. I did put the sea blue spray over on both sides since I believe it was covering older ID numbering.
f6f3x 2 by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
f6f3x 3 by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
f6f3x 1 by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
f6f3x 4 by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
