The Planes

The USS Gilbert Islands, with VMF-512 and VMTB-143 aboard, was outfitted with 18 Corsairs (of two variants – F4U-1D and FG-1D), 2 Hellcats (F6F-5P) and 12 Avengers (of two variants 10 TBM-3 and 2 TBM-3E). Find more details – specifications, operations, and operational reports in the subpages linked below.

Corsair

Even with the design and carrier based operational challenges, the F4U was deemed to be the best close air support fighter/bomber for the Marines…

Corsair Page

Hellcat

VMF-512 was furnished with two F6F-5P, which is the F6F-5 outfitted with cameras for photo reconnaissance work…

Hellcat Page

Avenger

The aircraft had overall ruggedness and stability, and pilots say it flew like a truck, for better or worse…

Avenger Page