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Thumbnail Filmstrip of F4U Corsair USN VF-17 Jolly Rogers, Big Hog, 1:48 Diecast HA8217 Images
Vought F4U Corsair Diecast Model
USN VF-17 Jolly Rogers, Big Hog , Tom Blackburn, November 1943
In July 1942 John Thomas Blackburn was ordered to organize VGF-29 as the Commanding Officer. On January 1, 1943 Lt.Cdr John Thomas Blackburn became Commander of the newly formed VF-17 equipped with F4U-1 Corsairs in April 1943. Blackburn�s use of the fearsome �Jolly Roger� skull and crossbones was to emphasize the daring attitude of his pilots. On November 8, 1943 six VF-17 Corsairs engaged fifteen Val Dive Bombers and twenty four Zeros downing three Zeros and damaging four others with no VF-17 losses. Blackburn�s final war total was eleven kills.