No prob guy… I aim to please!
Anyhoo, looks like Jon, the Cobrahistorian, is the first to give a fully correct answer to the question as asked, although Wayne Baker was OHHHH so close.
Neither of you got the aircraft assignments 100% correct (as far as I know, that is) but that’s A-O-K, it wasn’t really required.
Here’s what I was looking for…
The units:
VF-17
VF-5B
VF-61
VF-84
VF-103
VFA-103
The aircraft flown by these units:
F4U Corsair
F6F Hellcat
F8F Bearcat
F9F Panther
F9F Cougar
FJ Fury
F3H Demon
F8U Crusader
F-4 Phantom
F-14 Tomcat
F/A-18 Super Hornet
There were two squadrons with the designation VF-17; the second was established after the original VF-17 was disestablished and took a while to adopt the Jolly Roger nonclemature, but eventually did fully embrace the skull and crossbones.
The first VF-17, the original Jolly Rogers led by Tom Blackburn, flew the F4U Corsair. The second VF-17 flew the F4U Corsair, the F6F Hellcat and the F8F Bearcat. The F8F was used only briefly and a full conversion never took place.
The second VF-17 was then redesignated VF-5B in November of 1946 and primarily flew the Corsair, although they also had a couple recce Hellcats.
The unit was once more redesignated as VF-61 in July 1948 and converted, this time fully, from the Corsair to the F8F Bearcat. The unit subsequently flew the F9F Panther, F9F Cougar, FJ Fury and, finally, the F3H Demon. The unit was to have converted to the F8U Crusader but was disestablished in April of 1959.
Many of VF-61’s aircrew, including the CO, went to VF-84 that same month. VF-84 was at that time flying the Crusader and named the ‘Vagabonds’, but adopted the name ‘Jolly Rogers’ and flew the pirate’s ensign until being disestablished in October of 1995. In addition to the Crusader, VF-84 also flew the F-4 Phantom and the F-14 Tomcat. VF-84’s Tomcats are perhaps the most widely recognized aircraft in the world, by enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike… even today.
VF-103, formerly known as the ‘Sluggers’, picked up the flag and has held it ever since. In 2004 the unit began conversion from the F-14 to the F/A-18 Super Hornet and with that conversion came another designation change… to VFA-103.
The only aircraft flown by any ‘Jolly Rogers’ squadron which has not been documented as having worn the Jolly Roger itself is the F8U/F-8 Crusader. VF-84’s Crusaders kept the flame markings of the ‘Vagabonds’.
Wibhi2, you had most of it right. However, the FD/FH Phantom was flown by VF-17A, which is not the same unit as either of the two VF-17s. VF-17A was formerly designated VF-82 and later redesignated VF-171. So the Phantom was never flown by any Jolly Rogers squadron.
Here’s a great site on the ‘Jolly Rogers’…
The Bones of the Jolly Rogers
Okay, Jon… your turn…
Fade to Black…
