Author Description

This book was published as part of the 'war' against what is probably the most permanent myth of the US Navy aviation units: the myth of red outlines on US national markings of VF-17 aircraft during the first (October - November 1943) and second (January - February 1944) tours of operations. The problem is that not a single colour photograph of the unit's aircraft from the period has surfaced so far, although it seems that the US Navy propaganda unit, which had colour film, has visited it at least twice. But it is possible to dispel the myth just by analysing black and white photos of the unit's Corsairs, especially at the time of Panama Canal passage, when many photographs were taken of VF-17 machines carried as 'deck cargo'. We hope that this book will serve as a catalyst to start proper research on the subject.