Kepford's F4U-1

[CJE]

In Martin Bowman's book appears a photograph of Kepford's 17684 at an early time of its life. It's definitely his a/c as it wears his name on it.
One can clearly see a "white 7" but the photograph is unfortunately cropped. As far as I can ascertain, "17" was used by Hedrick.
So what was Kepford's number: 7 or 27?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[JACK COOK]

Here ya go!

F4U-1A 17649 #1 “Big Hog” LCDR T. Blackburn
F4U-1A 17651 #2 LTjg D. Gutenkunst
F4U-1A 18070 #2 Lt. D.H. Gutenkunst
F4U-1A #3 ENS Streig
F4U-1A 18005 #4 LTjg H. Burriss
F4U-1A 56146 #4 “Ruthless II” Lt Chenoweth
F4U-1A #5 Ltjg Killefer
F4U-1A #8 Lt May
F4U-1A 17686 #9 “Lonesome Polecat” Lt M. Davenport
F4U-1A 18064 #11 Ens. L. Fitzgerald
F4U-1A 17680 #12 Ens. C.H. Dunn
F4U-1A #15 LTjg Cunningham
F4U-1A #17 LCDR Hedrick
F4U-1A #20 Ens Jack Chasnoff
F4U-1A #22 ENS Smith
F4U-1A 17949 #26 Ens. P. Divenney
F4U-1A #28 ENS Popp
F4U-1A 17684 #29 “Dirty Eddie” LTjg March
F4U-1A 17684 #29 Ltjg Kepford
F4U-1A #30 Country Landreth
F4U-1A 17668 #31 LTjg. S Beacham/ENS Popp
F4U-1A 17685 #33 Ltjg “Teeth”Burriss
F4U-1A #34 17838 “LA City Limits” Ens Chico Freeman
F4U-1A 17692 LTjg J. Miller
F4U-1A 18057 LTjg D. Malone
F4U-1A 17666 LTjg T.Kropf
F4U-1A 17676 Lt. T Bell
F4U-1A 18061 Ens. R. Hill
F4U-1A 17659 LTjg H. Hogan
F4U-1A 55822 LTjg J. Farley
F4U-1A 17650 LTjg T. Kropf
F4U-1A 18011 LTjg C. Smith
F4U-1A 17804 Lt. C. Pillsbury
F4U-1A 17693
F4U-1A 17669 Ens. B. Baker
F4U-1A 17454 LTjg Anderson
F4U-1A 17655 Ens. Hill
F4U-1A 17671 Ens. Baker
F4U-1A 17743
F4U-1A 17661 LTjg J. Keith
F4U-1A 17670

[udf_00]

The Skull and Crossbones Squadron: VF-17 in World War II by Lee Cook

Chapter Three : First Tour November 1943
Page 46 - photo caption :
A rare photo of "Ike" Kepford in plane #7 early in the game. Most of the photos of Kepford where with plane #29. Courtesy U.S. Naval Historical Center / M.W. "Bucth Davenport Collection.
Shot from 5 o'clock and showing a 7 (almost complete)
There is a column of 4 rising suns below the windscreen (so post 11/11/1943)

Chapter Three : First Tour November 1943
Page 52 - photo caption :
An early photo of "Chico" Freeman with aircraft #7. He later went on to fly number 34. Courtesy U.S. Naval Historical Center / M.W. "Bucth Davenport Collection.
Shot from 10 o'clock and showing a 7 with nothing forward (and the L.A. CITY LIMITS sign on the fin)

Here is a photo of Dan Cunningham in #22 :
http://www.voughtaircraft.com/herita...vf-17p_53.html

Looking at the photo of Kepford's plane, I don't think the positioning of the 7 could leave enough room for a 2.

[CJE]

Thanks.

I have the first photograph you mention.

Chris

[JACK COOK]

Interestly thing to me while most people associate #29 to Kepford the original pilot was Lt Dirty Eddie March who had the name Dirty Eddie on the verticle stab. The first tour a/c numbvers were in flight order with colored prop hubs but with loses, replacement pilots and a/c by the second tour there was no semblence of order. BTW #22 was flown by John Smith on the second tour while Danny Cunningham rec'v #15.