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VF2

Country : USA

VF-2 was established on 1 June 1943, at Naval Air Station Atlantic City. VF-2, known now as the "Rippers," became the first World War II fighting squadron to bear the same designation as a previous unit in the war. Several pilots came from VF-6 and VF-10. The squadron initially deployed 8 FM-1 Wildcats but soon received the Grumman F6F Hellcat. VF-2 trained on the east-coast until October 1943 when the squadron headed west to San Francisco and then Hawaii. In Hawaii, VF-2 participated in a Marine landing exercise and so impressed the influential "Butch" O'Hare that he requested that VF-2 replace VF-6 in his Air Group aboard USS Enterprise. From November 1943 to January 1944, VF-2 saw action during the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign. VF-2 participated in O'Hare-designed "bat teams" of 1 Grumman TBF Avenger and 2 Hellcats for night interceptions. In March 1944, VF-2 deployed aboard USS Hornet. From the Hornet, VF-2 participated in strikes against the Marianas on the afternoon of 11 June 1944. Over 200 F6Fs were launched from American carriers 200 miles (320 km) from their targets of Guam and Rota. VF-2 claimed 23 victories during the attack over the Guam airfield, while squadron aircraft closer to Hornet destroyed 3 Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" medium bombers. A second strike on Guam claimed another 10 Japanese aircraft. VF-2 scored 37 victories and only lost 1 plane. The next day, VF-2 attacked the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima, only pilots which had not previously scored aerial kills were sent on this mission, claiming 17 kills. Between 19 and 20 June 1944, VF-2 was credited with 47 victories with only 1 airplane damaged beyond repair. On the afternoon of 20 June, Japanese carriers were located approximately 200 miles (320 km) to the west. A strike was ordered with bombs and torpedoes. After the strike, only 6 VF-2 aircraft returned to Hornet, the remaining having landed on other carriers. 5 aircraft were lost at sea. 5 days later, VF-2 claimed 67 kills in 1 day during a sweep of Iwo Jima, losing only 1 F6F Hellcat (an additional one was damaged beyond repair). During the 1943-44 period, VF-2 had conducted 184 strikes and 2050 sorties, destroying 50,000 tons of ships and 216 airborne airplanes and 245 airplanes on the ground. Losses totaled 3 airplanes in aerial combat and 4 to anti-aircraft fire.

VF2 Aviation Art Prints, Paintings and Drawings
Aviation Prints
Return of the Bounty Hunter by Philip West.
This single edition is sold out.

Text for the above items :

Return of the Bounty Hunter by Philip West.

A pair of F-14 Tomcats of VF-2 Bounty Hunters return to the USS Constellation from a CAP mission in the Indian Ocean, 1997. Two F-14D Tomcats, with tail hooks lowered, prepare to recover aboard the USS Constellation at the end of a mission during a deployment that took the carrier to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea in 1997. Generally accepted as the worlds finest long range interceptor, the Tomcat has celebrated 25 years of F-14 front-line service.

VF2
Aircraft details

Hellcat
Manufacturer : Grumman
Built : 12000

Hellcat
The Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat was to become the US Navys primary carrier borne fighter plane during World War II. Over 12,000 Hellcats were produced, and the Hellcat was credited with 4,947 of the 6,477 kills of enemy planes downed by carrier pilots during the War. The Hellcat had a top speed of 375 MPH, a range of 1,089 miles and was armed with six machine guns. The aircraft was powered by an 18-cylinder Pratt and Whitney, air-cooled, radial engine which generated 2,000 horsepower.
VF2
Pilot and aircrew signature details

No signatures available to display for this squadron

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