Description: |
Designed to meet a US Navy requirement for a single-seat carrier based fighter, the F4U was first flown on May 29th, 1940. This versatile aircraft saw service with both the Navy and Marine Corps in WW II and in the Korean War. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington joined the "Flying Tigers" (1st American Volunteer Group) of the Republic of China Air Force and saw combat in Burma in late 1941 and 1942. In September 1942, Boyington rejoined the Marine Corps and in September 1943, he took command of VMF-214 "Black Sheep". |