Unit: VMF-214 “Black Sheep Squadron”
Location: Bougainville, Solomon Islands
Date: Late 1943
Fuselage Number: 883
This aircraft represents a VMF-214 Corsair operating from the primitive forward airstrips at Bougainville during the height of the Solomon Islands campaign. Finished in the early-war U.S. Navy two-tone camouflage, the aircraft carries a heavily weathered Blue-Grey upper surface over Light Gray undersides. Fuselage number 883 is painted in large white numerals forward of the national insignia, consistent with squadron practice at the time. The finish reflects prolonged exposure to tropical sun, humidity, coral dust, and constant combat operations, resulting in pronounced fading, staining, and surface wear.
Overall, Corsair 883 conveys the look of a front-line Marine fighter—sun-bleached, stained, and battle-weary, yet fully serviceable—capturing the raw, functional character of VMF-214 aircraft flying daily combat missions from Bougainville in 1943.
