Unit History for VMF-213

[NickM]

I am wondering if there is a good unit history "out there" for VMF-213, a Corsair equipped Marine Corp Fighter unit that fought in the Solomons; I was reading Bruce Gamble's great history of VMF-214, 'The Blacksheep' & got the impression that the 213th was slightly less successful & somewhat more battered than other Corsair units...of course my impressions could be wrong but I am still interested in reading about a slightly less glamorous unit doing it's duty.

thanks, ahead of time;

NickM

[Jim Oxley]

I haven't come across one. But if you can get your hands on a copy of the superb "History Of Marine Corps Aviation In WWII" by Robert Sherrod, then almost all your questions will be answered. You will need to search the net for a second hand copy. It's long been out of print.

The book is the bible on the subject.

[fsbofk]

Don't know of a unit history either, but if Corsairs are your thing, then I highly recommend a 3-DVD set called F4U Corsair by Aircraft Films http://www.aircraftfilms.com/f4ucorsair.htm This is a compilation of about 6 hours of Corsairs from WWII to Korea, much of it in color, lots of carrier landing sequences (and some crashes), in-flight formations, lot of taxiing and takeoffs from various bases. It has about 8 minutes of footage of VMF-213 on Henderson Field in June 1943, showing gun harmonizing, engine maintenance, pilots walking by the camera & looking at roster board, fly-bys, and propellor maintenance. Great stuff.

[Ruy Horta]

But if you can get your hands on a copy of the superb "History Of Marine Corps Aviation In WWII" by Robert Sherrod, then almost all your questions will be answered. You will need to search the net for a second hand copy. It's long been out of print.

The book is the bible on the subject.

Damn you!

;)

Another book on the way and another difficult explanation to the spouse!

Found a first edition on the net at a sharp price (supposedly good binding, but fair dustcover...we'll get over that) at only $ 15,- (ex. shipping, which always comes near the selling price).

Thanks for the tip.

[fsbofk]

Also, try looking for a non-first edition. Mine was published in 1987 by Nautical & Aviation Publishing Co. Should be less than the 1952 edition (unless you're a book collector, like me, and might want the first!)

[JeffK]

Just some little bits, late war.

http://www.airgroup4.com/marines.htm

http://www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/winnia.html

Maybe some of the links could take you further.

[Frank Olynyk]

The second edition of Robert Sherrod's History of Marine Corps Aviation in WW2 has a new introduction, and a short article I did updating the information on USMC aces. But if you have Stars and Bars you have far more information than appeared on the aces in the short update.

Frank.