F-8E Crusader, VMF(AW)-235, loaded with 113 kg (250 lb) bombs and Zuni rockets, taxies to the runway at Da Nang to fly a missing against Viet Cong positions – April 1967
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 235 (VMFA-235) was a United States Marine Corps squadron that most recently flew F/A-18 Hornets. Known as the “Death Angels”, the squadron participated in action during World War II, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and was decommissioned on June 14, 1996.
History
World War II
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron was commissioned on January 1st, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California as Fixed Wing Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 235 (VMSB-235). During World War II they flew the SBD Dauntless and participated in Operation Cartwheel, the Battle of Bougainville and operations in and around Rabaul. The squadron was decommissioned on November 10th, 1944.
Three U.S. Marine Corps Douglas SBD-5/-6 Dauntless from Marine scout bomber squadron VMSB-235 Death Angels on a ferry flight from Cape Torokina, Bougainville, in 1944. Note the drop tanks. The pilots were: Schluckebeir (206), Larson (208), and Schall (209).
During 8,000 hours of flying operations, the squadron had only one casualty; an aircraft ground-looped while landing, breaking the pilot’s arm. The squadron’s most notable member in this period was future senator Joseph McCarthy, who served as its intelligence officer until July 1944. He participated in eleven missions as a rear gunner, leading to his later nickname of “Tail-Gunner Joe”.
1950s
The squadron was recalled to active duty in September 1950 as part of Marine Aircraft Group 15 at MCAS El Toro flying the F4U Corsair. In September 1952 they transitioned to the F9F Panther and in March 1954 they again transitioned to the FJ Fury. In 1957 the squadron relocated to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
U.S. Marine Corps North American FJ-3M Fury fighters of Marine fighter squadron VMF-235 Death Angels in the vicinity of Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland (USA), on 27th September 1957. They were a part of a 20 aircraft formation from VMF-235, rehearsing for demonstration of international joint operability involving over 600 aircraft from several countries, taking place from 3rd to 5th October 1957.
The Vietnam War
A Vought F-8E Crusader (BuNo 150328) of U.S. Marine Corps all weather fighter squadron VMF(AW)-235 at Da Nang, South Vietnam, in April 1966.
Redesignated Fixed Wing Marine Fighter (All Weather) Squadron VMF(AW)-235 deployed to Vietnam on February 1st, 1966 flying the F-8E Crusader. Between February 2nd and November 15, 1966 the “Death Angels” flew over 6,000 combat sorties in support of over 22 major operations. They returned to Vietnam on February 15th, 1967 this time for over a year until May 11th, 1968. They were the last active duty Crusader squadron. Upon leaving Vietnam, the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. On September 6th, 1968 they were redesignated Fixed Wing Marine Fighter Attack Squadron VMFA-235 and equipped with the F-4 Phantom.
A Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo 150056) from U.S. Navy composite squadron VC-1 refuels a McDonnell F-4J Phantom II aircraft (BuNo 155508) from U.S. Marine Corps fighter-bomber squadron VMFA-235 on 1st March 1977.
The 1980s & 1990s
In November 1989, VMFA-235 transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet. After Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, the squadron was deployed to the Shaikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain, on August 22, 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield. They were the first Fighter squadron in theater, and were recognized with the “Phoenix Award”, a highly prestigious Department of Defense award, for outstanding performance. During Operation Desert Storm they flew over 2800 sorties in support of coalition forces. In March, 1990, after seven months of operations, VMFA-235 redeployed to Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
F/A-18C Hornet (VMFA-235) – 1992
The squadron moved to MCAS El Toro in 1994 and was attached to Marine Aircraft Group 11. They moved again to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in 1996 and were decommissioned later that year on June 14th.
Century Wings 1/72nd scale F-8E Crusader U.S.Marine Corps VMF(AW)-235 Death Angels available from Flying Tigers.
Century Wings 1/72nd scale F-8E Crusader U.S.Marine Corps VMF(AW)-235 Death Angels models are available to pre-order from Flying Tigers.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see all Century Wings models available.
Hobbymaster model delivery due w/c 3rd April at Flying Tigers.
This Hobbymaster model delivery is due w/c 3rd April and can be pre-ordered at Flying Tigers today.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all.
HA0108 Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale MiG-21SPS “The White Shark” 22+02, JG-1, Drewitz Air Base, Germany, 1990 Sorry, sold out at pre-order stage
HA5011 Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale Grummman EA-6B Prowler ” Eve of Destruction” 163527, VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks”, Operation Desert Storm, 1991. Sorry sold out at pre-order stage.
HA8223 Hobbymaster 1/48th scale F4U-4 Corsair White 18, VMF-323 “Death Rattlers”, USS Sicily, June 1951 (with 8 HVAR rockets) Sorry sold out at pre-order stage.
HL1408 Hobbymaster 1/200th scale Space Shuttle “Enterprise” Edward Air Base, 1977 Sorry, sold out at pre-order stage.
That is all for now.
Richard.
Flying Tigers.
