VA-43
/ VF-43 Challengers
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Patch
- It is not yet known what squadron patch, if any, was
adopted at the establishment of VF-74-A (Fighter Squadron SEVENTY FOUR
A), its successor VF-74 (Fighter Squadron SEVENTY FOUR) or its
successor VF-1-B (Fighter Squadron ONE B). About the time VF-21
(Fighter Squadron TWENTY-ONE) began receiving F9F-2 Panthers (replacing
F4U-5 Corsairs, the squadron took the moniker of "Mach Busters" or
"Mach Knockers" and the "Mach Buster" patch was adopted. Three white
diamonds adorn the back of the armored fist. The upper two represents
the number "2" and the lower one represents the number "1" thereby
denoting "21" for VF-21. A new patch was adopted by VA-43 (Attack
Squadron FORTY-THREE) in 1961 and the squadron moniker was changed to
"Challengers". The banner bearing ATKRON-43 was not attached to the
mailed right fist patch. With the mission change from instrument
training to an adversary role, VF-43 (Fighter Squadron FORTY-THREE)
adopted the first VF-43 patch displayed above.
- First patch: possible VF-74A, VF-74, VF-1B and early
VF-21 patch - design provided by Frank M. Natonick - reproduction by
John T. Gabbard.
- Second patch: VF-21 Mach Busters or Mach Knockers -
1950, provided by Frank M. Natonick.
- Third patch: VA- Challengers provided by John T.
Gabbard.
- Fourth patch: VF-43 Challengers - time unknown,
provided by Gary Verver.
- Fifth, sixth and seventh patches: VF-43 drawn by Bud
Southworth.
- Eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve: provided by Gary
Verver
- Back to Table of Contents
Handle
Heritage
- 01 MAY 1945: VF-74A (Fighter Squadron SEVENTY FOUR A)
established.
- 01 AUG 1945: VF-74A redesignated VF-74
- 15 NOV 1946: VF-74 redesignated VF-1B
- 01 SEP 1948: VF-1B redesignated VF-21
- JUN 1958: FAWTULANT Det. B (Fleet All Weather
Training Unit) absorbed by VF-21.
- 01 JUL 1959: VF-21 redesignated VA-43
- 01 JUN 1973: VA-43 redesignated VF-43
- 01 JUL 1994: VF-43 (Fighter Squadron FORTY THREE)
disestablished.
- Back to Table of Contents
Home Ports
- 01 APR 1945: NAAF Otis Field, Camp Edwards, Falmouth,
Massachusettes
- 194?: NAS Oceana, Virginia
- 20 September 1951: NAAS Weeksville, North Carolina
- Early 1953?: NAS Oceana, Virginia
- Back to Table of Contents
Air Wings
Date - - - - - Squadron - - - - Tail code - - - - - - -
Air Wing - - Carrier
- 01 NOV 1945 - - - VF-74 - - C-1xx - -
CVBG-74 - - USS Midway, CVB-41
- SEP 1948 - - - - VF-21 - - M-1xx - - CVG-2 - - - USS
Coral Sea, CVB-43
- Unknown date - - VF-21 - - C-1xx - - CVG-6 - - - USS
FD
Roosevelt, CVB-42
- 1953 - - - - - - VF-21 - - L-4xx - - CVG-7 - - - USS
Bennington,
CVA-20
- 15 MAR 1958 - - - VF-21 - - AD - - - CVG-4 - - - USS
Forrestal,
CVA-59
- APR 1958 - - - - VF-21 - - AD - - - RCVG-4 - - - USS
Forrestal,
CVA-59
- 20 DEC 1963 - - - VA-43 - - AD - - - RCVW-4 - - -
Unknown
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Deployments
- 07 NOV 1945 - 02 JAN 1946: VF-74 F4U-4
C-1xx CVBG-74
USS Midway CVB-41 Caribbean (shakedown)
- 29 OCT 1947 - 11 MAR 1948: VF-1B F4U-4 M-1xx CVBG-1
USS Midway (CV-41) Mediterranean
- 03 MAY 1949 - 26 SEP 1949: VF-21 F4U-4 M-1xx CVG-2
USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) Mediterranean
- 22 NOV 1950 - 28 NOV 1950: VF-21 F4U-5NL &
F9F-2 C-1xx CAG-6 USS F. D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) (CarQuals)
- 10 JAN 1951 - 18 MAY 1951: VF-21 F9F-2 C-1xx CAG-6
USS F. D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) Mediterranean
- 22 OCT 1951 - 15 NOV 1951: VF-21 F9F-2 C-1xx CAG-6
USS Midway (CVB-41) Caribbean (Oper. "Land Flex")
- 09 JAN 1952 - 05 MAY 1952: VF-21 F9F-2 C-1xx CAG-6
USS Midway (CVB-41) Mediterranean
- MAY 1952 - AUG 1952: VF-21 F9F-2 T-1xx CAG-6
USS Wasp (CVB-18) Mediterranean
- 18 AUG 1952 - 23 AUG 1952: VF-21 F9F-5 C-1xx CAG-6
USS Midway (CVB-41) Western Atlantic (Carrier qualifications)
- 26 AUG 1952 - 08 OCT 1952: VF-21 F9F-5 C-1xx CAG-6
USS Midway (CVB-41) North Atlantic (Oper. "Main Brace")
- 01 DEC 1952 - 19 MAY 1953: VF-21 F9F-5 C-1xx CAG-6
USS Midway (CVA-41) Mediterranean
- 30 NOV 1954 - 18 JUN 1955: VF-21 F9F-6 I-1xx ATG-181
USS Randolph (CVA-15) Mediterranean
- FEB 1956 - MAR 1956:-------VF-21 FJ-3--I-2xx ?????
USS Forrestal (CVA-59) Western Atlantic (Shakedown)
-
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Aircraft
Commanding Officers
- 1947 - 1948 -------- CDR E.P. Rankin (VF-1B)
- 1951 --------------- CDR Ballinger (VF-21)
- 1952 --------------- CDR R. L. Johns (VF-21)
- JUL 1953 ----------- CDR G.D. Acker (VF-21)
- 1954 --------------- CDR F.X. Brady (VF-21)
- 1957 - 1958 -------- LCDR J.L. Holbrook (VF-21)
- 1959 --------------- CAPT J.E. LaCouture
- MAY 1960 ----------- CDR J.K. Beling
- 1963 --------------- CDR A.J. Hall
- 1967 --------------- CDR D.L. Sutherland
- 1969 --------------- CDR J.W. Harris
- 1970 --------------- CDR H.L. Bullman
- 1971 --------------- CDR John G. Colgan
- 1972 --------------- CDR Chris R. Vatidis
- Back to Table of Contents
Events
- 01 APR 1945:
Fighter Squadron Forty-Three (VF-43) had its beginnings on April 1,
1945, when Fighter Squadron Seventy Four A (VF-74A) was formed at NAS
Otis Field, Camp Edwards, Massachusetts. The squadron was assigned to
Carrier Air Group Seventy-Four (CVG-74) aboard the USS Midway,
(CVB-41). They were flying the F4U Corsair during Midway's shakedown
cruise in May 1947.
- 01 AUG 1945:
VF-74A redesignated VF-74.
- 07 OCT 1945:
VF-74, flying the F4U-4 Corsair, participated in the Navy Day
celebration as part of CVBG-74 on the USS Midway on the Hudson River,
New York.
- 01 - 28 MAR 1946:
VF-74 conducted local operations in the western Atlantic and Arctic
Circle Operations, Operation Frostbite, in the northern Atlantic flying
the F4U-4 Corsair as part of CVBG-74 aboard the USS Midway.
- 15 NOV 1946:
VF-74 redesignated VF-1B.
- Early to Mid 1947:
VF-1B performed training operations in the Caribbean flying the F4U-4
Corsair as part of CVBG-1 aboard the USS Midway.
- SEP 1947:
VF-1B patricipated in Operation Sandy (V-2 Rocket Launch), flying the
F4U-4 Corsair as part ov CVBG-1 aboard the USS Midway.
- A DAY ON CVB-41 (USS Midway)
VF-l-B, ATLANTIC (As
reported in NavAirNews - April 1948)
- All this happened in one day
while Fighting One
was operating in the Mediterranean off the Midway. The incidents
included the 12,000th landing aboard, an unassisted take-off from a
catapult, and a new member for the Royale Order of The Flat Hats.
- INCIDENT ONE - LTJG Ralph R.
Lang found himself
in the unenviable position of rolling along the catapult with full gun
on but no catapult assistance to his F4U-4B Corsair loaded with a full
belly tank.
After being turned up to full power ready to be shot off, the hold back
ring prematurely broke. The man with the beard (he resembles Monty
Woolley), realizing his predicament, promptly seized the bull by the
tail, bent the throttle around the throttle quadrant, and flew off
unassisted!
Lang was last seen disappearing over the horizon leaving a wake of sea
spray and frustrated flying fish.
In due time he joined the squadron in the rendezvous area. Our hero
upon landing aboard was heartily congratulated by Captain A. K.
Morehouse, skipper of the Midway, for his fine demonstration of pilot
skill and technique (plus luck!).
br>
- INCIDENT TWO - The Air Group
calls its junior
officers Peons and Peasants. Wheels are those officers of LCDR and up,
as prescribed by CAG CDR R. E. Riera. Peon (Ens.) Wallace R. Carter had
the privilege of adroitly maneuvering his Corsair in for the 12,000th
landing aboard the Midway.
- INCIDENT THREE - Ens. Carter
had hardly climbed
out of his aircraft before CAPT Morehouse came down from the bridge to
present Peasant (LTJG) George W. Hoskins with the honorary title of
Flat Hat, 3d Class.
It seems that Hoskins had flown his section somewhere between flight
deck level and the water's edge just under the fantail at a mere 400
knots on a coordinated attack on the ship.
In a scene reminiscent of war days, the captain, after concluding his
flowery, humorously sarcastic speech, turned, lifting from its pillow a
misshapen blue sailor flat hat of the extremely raunchy salty variety
and placed it on the unbowed head of the sheepishly-grinning Hoskins.
- >01 SEP 1948:
VF-1B was re-designated VF-21, and in March 1950, they began
transitioning to the F9F-2 Panther and in 1954 to the F9F-6 Cougar,
which they flew until 1955. They then transitioned to the FJ-3 Fury,
and to the F11F Tiger in 1957. They were the first squadron to operate
the F11F-4 Tiger aboard a carrier, being assigned to USS Ranger,
(CVA-61), and later for a short time aboard USS Forrestal, (CVA-59).
- 01 APR 1954:
Three pilots of VF-21 flying F9F-6 Cougar aircraft flew the first
transcontentinal flight utilizing in-flight refueling covering 2438
miles and doing so set a new west-to-east speed record of 3 hours, 45
minutes and 30 seconds. Read
about it.
- 10 MAR 1958:
The Chief of Naval Operations established the Replacement Air Group
(RAG) concept. VF-21 was assigned the Grumman F11F-4 Tiger and
designated the Atlantic F11F Tiger RAG squadron at Naval Air Station
Oceana.
- JUN 1958:
VF-21 absorbed FAWTULANT Det. B which included Lockheed TV-2 Sea Stars,
Beechcraft SNB Bug Smashers, North American T-28 Trojans, and Grumman
F9F-8T Cougars and a number of personnel.
1955 FAWTULANT Det. B Personnel Roster
1956
FAWTULANT Det. B Personnel Roster
- 04 FEB 1959:
VF-21 received their first A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawks at Naval Air Station
Jacksonville. Initial A4D-1 Skyhawk maintenance certification training
took place at NAS Jacksonville under the watchful eye of VA-44
personnel.
Certificate for Jerry
L. Skipper, AEM3
- 01 JUL 1959:
Fighter Squadron TWENTY ONE (VF-21) was redesignated Attack Squadron
FORTY THREE (VA-43) at Naval Air Station Oceana.
The squadron's mission was fleet replacement air group (RAG) training.
The mission involved A-4 Skyhawk flight training for pilots and
maintenance training for enlisted personnel. Under this concept, pilots
and enlisted personnel ordered to East Coast fleet Skyhawk squadrons
completed the course of instruction provided by VA-43 before reporting
to their assigned fleet squadrons.
- 1960:
VA-43 Challengers were assigned the A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk.
- 24 OCT to 31 DEC 1962:
VA-43 participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis with a detachment on the
United States Ship Essex (CVS-9).
- Late 1964 and Early 1965:
The VA-43 mission changed from A-4 RAG to instrument training for east
coast squadrons.
The VA-44 instrument training mission and its compliment of TF9-J
Cougar aircraft were transfered to VA-43.
VA-43 A-4 Skyhawk aircraft were transfered to VA-44 and other
squadrons.
- JUN 1967:
VA-43 began receiving TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft to replace its TF9-J
Cougar instrument trainers.
- O1 MAY 1970:
VA-43 control was transferred to Commander Fleet Air, Norfolk,
Virginia.
- 1973:
Attack Squadron FORTY THREE (VA-43) was redesignated as Fighter
Squadron FORTY THREE (VF-43) Challengers.
The squadron's mission changed from fleet instrument training to an
adversary mission for Atlantic fleet squadrons.
- 01 JUL 1994:
Fighter Squadron FORTY THREE (VF-43) was disestablished.
- Back to Table of
Contents
Awards
- 06 OCT 1953: (VF-21) AIRLANT
Battle "E" Pennant.
- OCT 1962: (VA-43) NAS OCEANA'S
"Golden Cadillac"
(Symbolizing Support Equipment Care) was awarded VA-43 in recognition
of excellent care given ground support equipment by the squadrons
maintenance crews. This rolling symbol of excellence is awarded
quarterly to the Oceana-based squadron judged tops in keeping vital
group support equipment mission-ready. The Golden Cadillac is actually
a dolled-up tractor, painted gold and silver, with white sidewall
tires. As reported in NavAirNews November, 1962.
- 1973 (VF-43) CNO Safety Award.
- Back
to Table of Contents
Sources
- Torg Anderson
- Howie Batts
- Peter E. Brown
- John T. Gabbard
- Harry S. Gann
- Randall Huston
- Michael Klaver
- Frank Mirande
- Frank M. Natonick
- Youthly Puresome
- Jerry Lynn Skipper
- Don Trask
- Dan Perrine
- James Long
- John LaMarr AO3
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