We’ve all seen shots of aircraft carrier decks, festooned with waving lights, landing planes, crewmen and the excitement of an aircraft launch, but how often do we get to see below deck? In this rare color slide we get a colorful glimpse into the underbelly of the beast, complete with oil drums, fork lift, and extra propellers. This color slide is from a set of shots taken by a crew member on board the USS Philippine Sea during while the VF-114 “Executioners”, a Corsair unit, was flying missions over Korea in 1950/51. For other shots from this set, make sure to search for VF-114 in the search menu.
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Korean War Corsair Fighter Pilot of the Navy VF-114 “Executioners” on Deck – Color Kodachrome 1950 USS Philippine Sea
Here’s a set of shots I recently picked off eBay. They were taken on the deck of the USS Philippine Sea, and show Corsairs of the VF-114. I particularly like the vibrant reds and yellows of the Kodachrome film. What a treat!
A quick snippit from the wikipedia page for the unit:
“VF-114 was established as VBF-19 (Bombing/Fighter squadron) on January 20, 1945 at NAS Alameda, California. Soon thereafter, VBF-19 moved to NAS North Island, California, where it first flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat and then the Vought F4U-4 Corsair. As with many squadrons after World War II, VBF-19 made several designation changes. The first change was two years later, on 24 August 1948 when it became VF-192, and its final change was on 15 February 1950 when it became VF-114. At this time, VF-114 was known as the “Executioners”.
VF-114 participated in the Korean War deployed on the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) on July 5, 1950. It flew its Corsairs for several months and conducted over 1,100 strikes against North Korean and Chinese forces. After its return from Korea, VF-114 moved from propeller aircraft to jets, first flying the Grumman F9F Panther. This was soon followed by the McDonnell F2H Banshee and in 1957 VF-114 transitioned to the McDonnell F3H Demon, the first jet operated by the squadron able to carry air-to-air missiles. Now based at NAS Miramar, California, VF-114 made two cruises with the Demon from USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) and one cruise with the Demon from USS Hancock (CVA-19). In 1961, VF-114 transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, becoming the first deployable Pacific Fleet fighter squadron to do so. At this point, VF-114 also changed its name and insignia to an Aardvark, apparently inspired by the resemblance between the F-4 and the cartoon character Aardvark in the “B.C.” comic strip. This change became official in 1963.”
Korean War Color Kodachrome Slides – 1953
Korean War Color Photo Slides – USS Okanogan APA 220 – Evacuation of Chinnampo
Picked up a nice 15 slide Korean War grouping on ebay this past week. After doing some research on the USS Okanogan (APA-220) I found that it took part in the evacuation at Chinnampo in December of 1950. Looking at the photos, it is obvious that they were taken around Christmas time – and there are some shots of civilian and POW evacuees as well as a nice image of some 3rd Division soldiers.
The 987th Armored Field Artillery in Color – Korean War 1951 w/ M7 Priest Tanks
A fresh grouping straight from the hallowed halls of eBay! A wonderful selection of armor and scenery shots taken in 1951 by a member of the 987th Armored Field Artillery. The unit was supplied with M7 Priest tanks and served as an artillery support unit. The colors and scenes of the Korean War pop into life!
Korean War Marines in Chosin – Original Color Slides 1950
Korean War Color Slide Photo – Wonsan Airfield POWs October 1950
The Korean War in Color Part 2
The Korean War in Color
This will be a constantly updated theme here at Portraits of War so please check back often.
Today’s posts are from the 89th Medium Tank Battalion taken in 1952 during the middle of the Korean War.
The 89th Medium Tank Battalion was with the 25th Division (insignia seen in the slide below) from between 1951 through the armistice.