This aircraft was based on Segi Strip, Munda in the Solomon's. Oc scored the squads first kill on September 15, 1943 north of Ballale Island. The squad would operate in that area from September 43 to March 44 and collect 22 victories. Chenoworth spent a short time with the squad before being transferred to VF-17 where he would become an ace with 8.5 victories. The plane is named after his wife "Ruth" and her not being there "Less". He named his corsair with VF-17 "RUTHLESS II" after her as well.
The nose art of the squads planes all seemed to be in the same style so probably had the same artist. Some profiles show a red outline around the insignia, but pictures of this plane don't show the insignias. Pictures of other aircraft in the squad show they were painted over at some point, and some very sloppy and no constancy on what color used. At some point they switched to the white spine and white stabilizers but can't find info on when. My best guess is some time in late September or after. There was an incident where they were flying low cover and a VMF-214 corsair made a pass on and hit one of their Hellcats in the motor forcing it to ditch in the water, probably one of Boyington's confirmed kills. Before ditching that pilot and his wingman both shot back at him knowing it was a friendly. I've read that VF-17 miss IDed Zero's as Hellcats once because of the the box wing shape.
VF-38 a by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
VF-38 c by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
VF-38 b by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
