VF-42

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Fighting Squadron 42
Fighting Squadron 42 (United States Navy) patch c1940.png
VF-42 unit insignia
ActiveMay 1928 - 22 June 1942
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeFighter
Engagements World War II
Aircraft flown
Fighter SBU-1
F4F-3 Wildcat

Fighting Squadron 42 or VF-42 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established as Scouting Squadron 1B (VS-1B) in May 1928, it was redesignated as VS-1S in 1930, redesignated as VS-1B in 1931, redesignated as VS-41 on 1 July 1937, redesignated as VF-42 on 15 March 1941 and disestablished on 22 June 1942. It was the first US Navy squadron to be designated as VF-42. [1]

Contents

Operational history

VS-1B SBU-1 in the 1930s Vought SBU-1 VS-1B 1930s.jpg
VS-1B SBU-1 in the 1930s
VF-42 F4F-3 at NACA Langley in 1941 F4F-3 VF-42 at NACA Langley 1941.jpeg
VF-42 F4F-3 at NACA Langley in 1941

VS-1B was assigned to the USS Ranger in the 1930s.

In December 1941 VF-42 was embarked on USS Yorktown for deployment to the Pacific Theatre. [2] VF-42 shot down 25 Japanese aircraft until the squadron was disestablished following the sinking of the Yorktown on 7 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway. [2] :15

See also

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VA-42 (U.S. Navy) Military unit

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VF-71 Military unit

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VP-21 Military unit

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VP-22 Military unit

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References

  1. "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 Tillman, Barrett (1995). Wildcat Aces of World War 2 . Osprey Publishing. p.  6. ISBN   9781855324862.