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Robert Royes
248 articles

F6f-5 Hellcat, VF-74 Flying Wolfhounds,1944.1/72 Hasegawa.

November 28, 2019 · in Aviation · · 8 · 1.6K

The VF-74 Flying Wolfhounds, not to be confused with VF-74 Bedevilers, which began as VBF-20 and then VF-92. a bit confusing, was established March 1944 at Norfolk Va. training at NAS Atlantic City. Sailed onboard USS Kasaan Bay CVE-69 with their early model -5's. Along with VOF-1 on board the Tulagi Bay CVE-72 and several British CVEs. participated in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France. Combat included close to three hundred sorties mostly ground attack, two aerial victories a JU-88 and a DO-217, losing five aircrew and six aircraft mostly due to ground fire.VF-74 also had a detachment of night fighters on the island or Corsica. After the mission was complete they returned home and was disestablished October 1944, a pretty short lived career. In that short time' they did have a squadron patch and even had a decal for their aircraft but I don't think they got a chance to apply them, maybe they didn't get them in time. I discovered the squadron while searching for VF-74 info { I'm a former Bedeviler}. So I present another obscure in the boring dark sea blue. The kit is the venerable Hasegawa, it looks like a very early molding. Its supposed to be the early -5 so I installed the rear windows. The rockets came from Eduard's Hellcat kit. Now to search for another obscure kitty[already got the kitty coming],thanks for looking.

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8 responses

  1. You did a fine job with your Cat ! It was an interesting article too... Well done buddy. It's always neat when you learn more about the history of a unit that you served with. Having an original photo to work from of the actual plane your building is another big help.

    I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. What did you use for the antennae cable ? ...and do you have any thoughts about what your next "Cat" build will be ?

    Thanks for sharing this with us.

    "liked"

  2. Tanks for your comments, I used EZ line for the antennae. Next one?, think of Hellcat over Brooklyn. And to you Happy Thanksgiving!

  3. Nicely done and presented Robert, looks good !

  4. Great looking Hellcat!

  5. splendid build bob

  6. Nice job Robert - love the flying wolfhound badge!

  7. Nice research as well as a good looking Cat Robert.

  8. Great looking Hellcat Robert! Well done.

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