Vought Corsair F4U, NZ 5201 to NZ 5250, 1944 to 1949, Part 1

While on 17 Sqn RNZAF

Design:
Ivor Sikorsky and Rex Beisel

Company:
Chance Vought
Sikorsky Division of United Aircraft Corp
Brewster
Goodyear

Wing Span:
40 ft 11.3/4 in 12.49 M

Wing Area:
314 sq ft

Length:
33 ft 4.1/2 in 10.17 M

Height:
14 ft 9.1/4 in 4.50 M

Ceiling:
36,900 ft 11,242 M

Speed at 19,900 ft
417 MPH 671 KPH

Range:
1,015 Miles 1,633 Km

T/O Weight:
11,093 lbs 5,032 Kg

Empty Weight:
8,873 lbs 4,025 Kg

Crew:
1 Pilot

Role:
Fighter
Fighter / Bomber

Total Manufactured:
12,571 All Marks

First Flight:
29 May 1940

Entered Service:
July 1942

Armament:
6 x .5 in machine Guns in wings
Up To 2,000 Lbs Under Wings
8 HVA Rockets on wing racks

Qty Served:
424

Years Served:
1944 to 1949

Tail Nos:
F4U – 1A
NZ 5201 to NZ 5396
NZ 5461 to NZ 5463
NZ 5465
NZ 5487
NZ 5501 to NZ 5536

F4U – 1D
NZ 5397 to NZ 5460
NZ 5464
NZ 5466 to NZ 5486
NZ 5537 to NZ 5577

FG – 1D
NZ 5601 to NZ 5660
ENGINE

Image Source

Type:
Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp R 2800 - 8
18 cylinder, twin row, air cooled, radial, supercharged

Horse Power:
2,000 HP

Bore:
5.75 in 146.5 mm

Stroke:
6.0 in 152.4 mm

Volume:
2,804 Cu in 45.96 L

Max RPM:
2,800 HP

Fuel:
100/130 Octane

Length:
81.4 in 2.068 mm

Diameter:
52.8 in 1,342 mm

Weight:
2,360 lb

Power to Weight Ratio:
0.89 hp/lb 1.46 KW/Kg

Production Started:
1937

Production 1939 – 1960
125,334

The distinctive shape of the 'Inverted Gull Wings' was required to enable as big as possible 3 bladed propellor to use the power of the engine, and keep the Undercarriage as short and strong as possible, required for carrier operations

NZ 52** to NZ54** Were Assembled at Espiritu Santo
NZ 55** Were Assembled in New Zealand
NZ 56** Were Assembled at Los Negros
FG-1A FG were Goodyear Type Corsairs

WARB = War Articles Restitution Board
LAC = Leading Aircraft Man
Sqn = Squadron
F O T U = Fighter Operational Training Unit
C F S = Central Flying School
HMS = Her Majesty’s Ship
B O C U = British Occupation Force Unit
ATC = Air Training Corp.
Inst = Non-Flying Instructional Airframe
CCU NZ = Corsair Conversion Unit in N Z
T/O = Take Off
U/C = Undercarriage [Wheels]
Hyd = Hydraulic
C F E = Central Fighters Establishment

The organization of the RNZAF in the Pacific War was,
The pilots and a small staff belonged to a Sqn. [Max strength of pilots was 27.]

The Sqn’s were assigned to Servicing Units which carried out
aircraft maintenance and operated from fixed locations.

In all, there were 10 front line Servicing Units, plus 3 based in NZ.

Because each Servicing Unit painted its aircraft with distinctive markings
and the aircraft themselves could be repainted several different colour schemes
the RNZAF Corsairs were far less uniform in appearance
compared with their American and Fleet Air Arm contemporaries.

By late 1944 the Corsair had equipped all 10 Pacific based fighter Sqns of the RNZAF.

When the Corsairs arrived there were virtually no Japanese aircraft left
in N Z’s allocated sectors of the South Pacific.

They were primarily used for close support of American, Australian, and NZ soldiers
fighting the Japanese.

At the end of 1945, all but No.14 Fighter Sqn were disbanded.

NZ 5201

Constructors No.: 4855
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56432
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Test Flown F/L D Greig
Code letter/No.: 201
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 15 May 1944
Code letter A
Named Alma
To 14 Sqn 25 June 1944
To 19 Sqn 6 Aug 1944
To 16 Sqn 30 Aug 1944
To 17 Sqn 21 Sep 1944
To 15 Sqn 3 Nov 1944
To 21 Sqn 12 Nov 1944
To 16 Sqn 22 Nov 1944
To 25 Sqn 19 Dec 1944
To 17 Sqn 1 Jan 1945
To 18 Sqn 24 Jan 1945
To 23 Sqn 14 Feb 1945
To 24 Sqn 3 Mar 1945
To 26 Sqn 23 Mar 1945
To 18 Sqn 13 Jun 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WAR Board Tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5202

Constructors No. 4895
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56472
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter A
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 17 May 1944
Code letter K
To 21 Sqn Jul 1944
To 23 Sqn Nov 1944
Last used operationally 4 Aug 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To L Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5203

Constructors No.: 4872
Mark F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56449
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 April 1944
Damaged while taxiing on
Bougainville 1335 on 18 May 1944
Sgt A Spedon uninjured
Written off Bougainville 13 Jun 1944

NZ 5204

Constructors No: 4860
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56437
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter L
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1944
Code letter/No. 04
To 18 Sqn Nov 1944
To 23 Sqn Los Negros 16 Nov 1944
Mid air with a USMC Helldiver
over Los Negros, crashed into sea east of airfield
F/L Raymond Annand – Smith killed
Written off Manus 5 Dec 1944

NZ 5205

Constructors No.: 4857
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56434
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1944
Hit by flak during strafing attack near Tobago
Crashed into jungle and exploded 1155 on 8 Jun 1944
Sgt Wallace killed

NZ 5206

Constructors No.: 4905
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56482
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1944
To 16 Sqn 12 Dec 1944
To 21 Sqn 12 Jun 1945
To 19 Sqn 13 Sep 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5207

Constructors No.: 4890
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56467
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
To 14 Sqn Jun 1944
Shot down and
crashed near Adler Bay 0925 on 30 Jun 1944
S/L John Blundell killed

NZ 5208

Constructors No.: 4849
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56426
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
To 16 Sqn 1 Sep 1944
A/C swung on landing at Bougainville,
ran off the runway and overturned,
Written off 1 Sep 1944
F/S E Rowe uninjured
Rebuilt, ferried to N Z, Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB Tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larson Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5209

Constructors No.: 4899
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56476
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter/No. 9
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
To 23 Sqn 15 Feb1945
To 26 Sqn 2 May 1945
To 21 Sqn 16 May 1945
To 19 Sqn 13 Sep 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB Tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larson Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5210

Constructors No.: 4893
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56470
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
Mid-air with Corsair NZ 5217
at 8,000 ft over sea north of Bougainville
While in “Battle Formation” 8 May 1944
Sgt Brian Shearer killed

NZ 5211

Constructors No.: 4858
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56435
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
To 14 Sqn Jul 1944
Hydraulic failure
undershot the runway at Torokina 11 Jul 1944
Sgt P Mulvaney injured

NZ 5212

Constructors No.: 4999
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 49752
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1944
To 23 Sqn 21 Feb 1945
To 25 Sqn Apr 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larson Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5213

Constructors No.: 4979
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 49732
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter/No. 13
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
To 23 Sqn 29 Feb 1945
Code letter/No. 213
To 26 Sqn Apr 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB Tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5214

Constructors No.: 5001
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 49754
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1944
To 17 Sqn
Mid air with Corsair NZ 5354
at 11,000 ft over Beaufort Bay 4 Jan 1945
Repaired and returned to service May 1945
To 26 Sqn May 1945
To 21 Sqn 12 Jun 1945
To 19 Sqn Aug 1956
Swung on landing at Jacquinot Bay
repaired 7 Aug 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5215

Constructors No.: 4859
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56436
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter E
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
To 23 Sqn 16 Nov 1944
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5216

Constructors No.: 4906
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56483
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter 16
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1944
Code letter L
To 23 Sqn Nov 1944
Code letter S
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5217

Constructors No.: 4875
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56452
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1844
Mid air at 8,000 Ft with Corsair NZ 5210
while flying in “Battle Formation” 0725 on 8 May 1945
F/O John Casselberg killed

NZ 5218

Constructors No.: 4995
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 49748
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1944
To 14 Sqn Jul 1944
Belly Landed at Piva U
after enemy fire caused hydraulic failure
F/O B Hay uninjured
Written off 14 Jul 1945

NZ 5219

Constructors No.: 4864
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56441
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 April 1944
To 14 Sqn 26 Jun 1944
To 19 Sqn Aug 1944
Tyre burst on take off,
A/C slid into ditch
Written off 13 Aug 1944
P/O R Johnston uninjured

NZ 5220

Constructors No.: 4898
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56475
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 28 Apr 1944
To 14 Sqn 25 Jun 1944
To 21 Sqn 4 Feb 1945
To 22 Sqn May 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5221

Constructors No.: 4847
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56424
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letters/No. 21
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
To 17 Sqn Oct 1944
Disappeared while on a bombing run
around Bougainville 17 Oct 1944
P/O Athol Kilner missing presumed killed

NZ 5222

Constructors No.: 4869
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56446
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 1 May 1944
Badly damaged at Torokina
Repaired 27 Aug 1944
To 24 Sqn Sep 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5223

Constructors No.: 4853
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56430
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 20 Sqn Guadalcanal 17 May 1944
To 20 Sqn 18 May 1944
To 14 Sqn Aug 1944
Shot down by Japanese flak,
crashed into sea near
Duke Of York Island 4 Aug 1944
S/L D Cooks rescued uninjured

NZ 5224

Construction No.: 4865
Mark.: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56442
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 18 May 1944
Crashed while landing at Guadalcanal.
Written off 20 May 1944
Sgt I Field uninjured

NZ 5225

Constructors No.: 4871
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56448
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter B
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 18 May 1944
To 21 Sqn Jul 1944
To 22 Sqn Oct 1944
To 23 Sqn 16 Nov 1944
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5226

Constructors No.: 4882
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56459
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 194
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 17 May 1944
Climbed to 32,000 ft for aerobatic exercise
near Guadalcanal,
Last seen by a US Navy Destroyer
spinning into the sea 0755 on 22 May 1944
Sgt John Doggett killed

NZ 5227

Constructors No.: 4900
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56477
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter C
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 17 May 1944
Hit by Japanese flak,
ditched into St Georges Channel,
near Rabaul Island 17 Jun 1944
F/O G Walker rescued uninjured

NZ 5228

Constructors No.: 4848
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56425
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter D
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 18 May 1944
To 21 Sqn 19 Jul 1944
Code letter/No. 28
To 22 Sqn 21 Oct 1944
To 23 Sqn 16 Nov 1944
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5229

Constructors No.: 4851
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56428
Shipped on USS Kadashan Buy to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 May 1944
Code letter E
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 18 May 1944
To 22 Sqn 21 Jul 1944
To 21 Sqn Oct 1944
Heavy landing at Piva U
when returning from a strike
Written off
F/S A Proffitt Injured 24 Oct 1944

NZ 5230

Constructors No.: 4891
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56468
Shipped on USS Kadashan Bay to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 23 Mar 1944
Code letter F
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 18 May 1944
To 21 Sqn 16 Jul 1944
To 22 Sqn 15 Oct 1944
To 23 Sqn 16 Nov 1944
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5231

Constructors No.: 4885
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56462
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 17 May 1944
Damaged same day,
repaired and returned to service Sep 1944
To 16 Sqn 22 Sep 1944
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5232

Constructors No.: 4892
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56469
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1044
Code letter M
To 14 Sqn Guadalcanal 9 Jun 1944
To 22 Sqn 9 Jun 1944
Code letter/No. 32
Suffered major damage,
repaired, returned to service 25 Oct 1944
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5233

Constructors No.: 4896
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56473
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Code letter G
To 18 Sqn 17 May 1944
Code letter/No. 33
Named Gloria Lyons
Crashed on landing at
Bougainville due to runway conditions
Written Off 15 Jun 1944
Sgt R Carter uninjured

NZ 5234

Constructors No.: 4888
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56465
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
To 21 Sqn Guadalcanal Jun 1944
To 19 Sqn Jul 1944
Eng failure on take off from Bougainville
Crashed 20 Jul 1944
Sgt T Watt uninjured

NZ 5235

Constructors No.: 4883
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56460
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar
Code letter O
To 15 Sqn Bougainville 9 Jun 1944
Code letter/No. 35
To 18 Sqn Jun 1944
To 21 Sqn 21 Jul 1944
To 23 Sqn 16 Nov 1944
Eng failure, crashed into sea 23 Dec 1944
P/O D Trim uninjured

NZ 5236

Constructors No.: 4867
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56444
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Code letter H
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 17 May 1944
Code letter Q
To 21 Sqn Sep 1944
Presumed hit by Japanese flak
on bombing run at 200 ft,
Crashed into sea
near Henry Reid Bay 0825 on 14 Sep 1944
P/O William Wilason killed

NZ 5237

Constructors No.: 4902
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56479
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Code letter I
To 18 Sqn 18 May 1944
To 21 Sqn Sep 1944
Mid air with Corsair NZ 5329,
returning from a strike at Chabai
They collided on final approach
and crashed onto the runway at Piva U 0915 on 15 Sep 1944
F/S William Jardine killed

NZ 5238

Constructors No: 4856
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56433
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Code letter J
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 17 May 1944
To 22 Sqn 4 Oct 1944
To 23 Sqn 16 Nov 1944
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5339

Constructors No.: 4876
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56453
Shipped on US Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
To 15 Sqn Espiritu Santo May 1944
Crashed on landing after ferry flight
Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal
Written off 25 May 1944
F/O D Stewart uninjured

NZ 5240

Constructors No.: 4901
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56478
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1940
Code letter K
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 17 May 1944
Code letter/No. 40
To 22 Sqn 11 Sep 1944
To 16 Sqn 21 Dec 1944
To 21 Sqn 12 Jun 1945
Last operation from Jacquinot Bay 15 Sep 1945
To 16 Sqn 13 Oct 1944
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5341

Constructors No 4868
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 564455
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Code letter M
To 14 Sqn Guadalcanal 13 Jun 1944
To 18 Sqn 16 Jun 1944
Suffered Japanese flak damage
and hit tree before exploding in the jungle
near Talili Bay 1200 on 28 Jun 1944
Sgt Laurence Murray killed

NZ 5342

Constructors No.: 4897
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56474
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 18 May 1944
Mid-air with Corsair NZ 5202
during a training flight
crashed into sea near Savu Island 22 May 1944
Sgt F Donaldson rescued uninjured

NZ 5243

Constructors No.: 4866
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56443
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Remained on Espiritu Santo
To 22 Sqn 28 Dec 1944
To 15 Sqn 15 Jan 1945
Struck while parked at
Espiritu Santo by Corsair NZ 5379
Written off 24 Jan 1945

NZ 5244

Constructors No.: 4870
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56447
Shipped on USS Breton to Sepiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
To 18 Sqn Guadalcanal 18 May 1944
Eng failure following take off,
crashed into sea 27 May 1944
F/S Frederick Donaldson killed

NZ 5245

Constructors No.: 4852
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56429
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
To 14 Sqn Guadalcanal 9 Jun 1944
To 21 Sqn 18 Jan 1945
To 22 Sqn Jul 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5246

Constructors No.: 4881
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56458
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Code letter P
To 15 Sqn Guadalcanal 20 May 1944
To 21 Sqn 21 Jul 1944
To 23 Sqn 16 Nov 1944
One wheel up landing at Los Negros
Crashed written off 4 Jan 1945

NZ 5247

Constructors No.: 4994
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 49747
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Code letter L
To 15 Sqn Guadalcanal 25 May 1944
Code letter/No. 47
To 16 Sqn 21 Dec 1944
To 21 Sqn 12 Jun 1945
Last operation from Jacquinot Bay 20 Sep 1945
To 16 Sqn 3 Oct 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5248

Constructors No.: 4878
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56455
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
Code letter/No. 48
To 15 Sqn Guadalcanal 15 May 1944
To 14 Sqn 8 Aug 1944
To 22 Sqn 16 Sep 1944
To 16 Sqn 26 Sep 1945
Ferried to N Z Oct 1945
Advertised for sale WARB tender No 1704
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 5249

Constructors No.: 4889
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 56466
Shipped on USS Breton to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 25 Mar 1944
To 18 Sqn 18 May 1944
Tyre blew out landing at
Henderson Field after training flight
Crashed 18 May 1944
Written off
Sgt K Gibson uninjured

NZ 5250

Construction No.: 4977
Mark: F4U-1
US Navy No.: Bu 49730
Shipped on USS Table Rock to Espiritu Santo
B O C Unit 60 26 Mar 1944
To 15 Sqn Espiritu Santo May 1944
U/C not locked down, collapsed
Written off 18 May 1944
Sgt N Mc Cready uninjured

Unsourced photos through the Ohakea Museum

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner