Aircraft: Vought F4U-1A Corsair
Unit: VMF-214 “Black Sheep Squadron”
Location: Bougainville, Solomon Islands
Date: Late 1943
Fuselage Number: 740
This aircraft represents a VMF-214 Corsair operating from the rough, coral-based airstrips of Bougainville during late 1943. Finished in the early-war U.S. Navy two-tone camouflage, the aircraft features Blue-Grey upper surfaces over Light Gray undersides. Fuselage number 740 is applied in large white numerals forward of the national insignia, consistent with Marine Corps practice within MAG-11 at the time. The paint finish reflects extensive operational wear from tropical exposure, frequent sorties, and field maintenance, resulting in a noticeably faded and uneven surface characteristic of front-line Corsairs in the Solomon Islands campaign.
Visual Description – Weathered Grey Corsair (Plane No. 740)
Overall, Corsair 740 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.
