Help with plane number identification

[whiteman]

While working on VF-86 Hellcat I looked up their history in a book i have and noticed that their sister squad VBF-86 was listed as having F4U-4's. I came across this photo and can see 4 bladed prop's what I'm having a hard time doing is making out the number on the landing gear door. Plane left side of pic, It's 3 digits and maybe 180 or 130. Anyone think they can make it out?

[Devil 505]

It looks like 160 to me. The lower left side of the middle digit seems more apparent than the rest. Could also be 120.

What was the numbering system at this time? That may provide a clue.

[lyric1]

I think I have a book with several -4s from that squadron. Will take a look when i get off work.

[Hajo]

I agree with devil.  I used a magnifying glass.  Looks like 160 to me and would make sense since the other identifiable numbers are all in the 160s'.

[whiteman]

Thanks guys I think 160 might be it. Found the cruise book for Wasp CAG-86 and I think the VBF squad was numbered 150-199 looking at pictures, found -4 wearing 156 and the “X”on the tail. VF 100-149, VB 200’s and VT 300’s. The Essex had a similar break down but with the VT and VB squads getting the 100’s, so little consistency between carries.

[Devil 505]

Would a squadron have a mix of F4U-1D's and F4U-4's? Also note the spinner pf the U-4 is light color whereas it's dark on the -1D's.

Perhaps the U-4 is from the VF squadron?

This would also make sense given that it's the preferred fighter type. So my money is now on the number being 120.

[whiteman]

Would a squadron have a mix of F4U-1D's and F4U-4's? Also note the spinner pf the U-4 is light color whereas it's dark on the -1D's.

Perhaps the U-4 is from the VF squadron?

This would also make sense given that it's the preferred fighter type. So my money is now on the number being 120.

From what I’ve read is that VBF squads were Corsairs, VF could be a mix of Hellcats and Corsairs. It depends on the aircraft assigned to the CV as to the makeup of the VF squad. The mixed squads had Corsairs with a few -5N and -5P. The Wasp had a large amount of Hellcats and my book shows that they belonged to VF-86. VBF is showed to be originally assigned -4’s.

Every CAG-86 F6F, TBM and SB2C has dark hubs. The -1D’s could have been replacement aircraft, Wasp was heavily hit in mid March and returned to the fight in June. That would have been when they transferred from white tail bands to the X on all the tails. They may have had white hubs before the March incident and some retained it, just seems weird only -4’s kept it.

[Vraciu]

166?

[Busher]

I see 168 on the lead f4u and 162 on the second. Seems clear... am I missing something?

[Devil 505]

I see 168 on the lead f4u and 162 on the second. Seems clear... am I missing something?

Yeah, those are the 1-D's. We're talking about the U-4 way in the back, on the left side of the frame. Look for the 4 bladed prop with the light colored hub.

[Nefarious]

160 or 166

[Busher]

Yeah, those are the 1-D's. We're talking about the U-4 way in the back, on the left side of the frame. Look for the 4 bladed prop with the light colored hub.

Thank you.

[Fencer51]

Ok several things here. 

First, Greebo has done a F4U-4 from VBF-86 back in  2017.

Thanks to Lyric1 for finding me the info for this skin. I originally skinned it during the AH3 beta but realised while looking at the new skins page that somehow I had forgotten to submit it.

This VBF-86 F4U-4 flew from USS Wasp during 1945.

Secondly be careful what pics you use as references as when they ditched the white tail bands, thats when its close to post war.
They used the white tailband and white bar on the wing up until July 27, 1945.

It looks like 168 to me but there is already a 168 so 163 most likely then.  Which is in the pic below.

Also I found this color photo from Life which says its F4U-4s from VBF-86. Note the white tail bands like were on the F6Fs.

[lyric1]

160

[Fencer51]

Well a combination of boredom and ansomnia led me to keep looking and from May 31, 1945, when it was stood up,  to Sept 7, 1945 VBF-86 is listed to have 36 F4U-4s on strength, no F4U-1Ds or FG-1Ds.  Other CAGs note multiple types in the same squadrons, so it was common to keep an accurate track on types.  The pics with the 1Ds might be post September 7, 1945.

Also that Life photo I posted appears to be from San Francisco Bay off Alameda Naval Air Field.  The Oakland Bay bridge is in the background.