Lake Michigan Hellcat - VF-38 Emblem found
 

Hopefully someone (besides Jack) will have something else to add to emblem of VF-38.

Attached are a few photos.

One from Jack showing a wartime photo of OC Hellcat with the emblem.

One of my photos of the emblem on the Hellcat 25910 - lots of missing paint though quite a lot visible. Also thought to be White 2 with VF-38.

A drawing (no not by my 10 year old son - would probably be better) - tracing and colours. I prefer straight line architectural drawing! Gives an indication though!

So a few Q&A
The emblem is a white circle with black edge. At the bottom is Navy wings and on it is a 'monkey' (without hopefully offending if wrong!) standing/surfing on it. The character has a 'Uncle Sam' style hat and we are trying to establish if it carrying a bomb in the left hand and a scythe in the right.

VF-33 at the same time also had a Monkey as an emblem.

It might be that someone else knows a bit more about the reasoning - could it be carrying something else. There is usually a reason behind an emblem and would like to have some feedback ideas.

Have a good weekend

regards

Mark

PS Again - check the Flypast link.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showth ... ost1497171

Re: Lake Michigan Hellcat - VF-38 Emblem found
 

Re-drawn (my drawings not improving!) and coloured the emblem as per the visible remaining paint - only the gun is the unclear part - little remains.

Interesting - no official record of this emblem - thought to be unofficial and from the period they were land based - Sept 1943. It went to a fighting Cockerel with sharp claws later 1943-45.

regards

MS

Check Flypast link
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=96160