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LOT 1514
Pre-World War II U.S. Marine Corps VMFA-232 “Red Devils” Squadron Insignia on Aircraft Fabric - Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 (VMFA-232) “Red Devils” is the oldest and most decorated active U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadron and traces its lineage as far back as September 1, 1925 when VF-3M was commissioned. On July 1, 1927 the squadron was redesignated VF-10M. This would be the first in a series of designation changes as the Marine Corps reorganized its aviation assets prior to World War II. The squadron was at Pearl Harbor during the infamous Japanese attack, was the first Marine dive bomber squadron to fly against the Japanese, tangled with North Vietnamese MiGs, was among the first to cross the Iraqi border during Operation Desert Storm and returned to the skies over Iraq during the 2003 invasion. Needless to say, VMFA-232 has a long and historic service record that continues on to this day. The diamond shaped section of fabric offered here measures about 15 x 22 inches and displays a painted red devil that dates to the inter-war period. Aircraft flown by the Red Devils at this time included the Boeing FB-5, Curtiss F6C-5, and Boeing F4B-4. CONDITION: Fine, with much of the paint remaining. The red devil is well-defined and makes for a striking image on the yellow background. A great piece of aviation memorabilia belonging to one of the Marines most cherished squadrons. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 8,000
LOT 1515
Historic Pre-World War II U.S. Marine Corps VMA-231 “Ace of Spades” Squadron Insignia on
Aircraft Fabric - VMA-231 is an active U.S. Marine Corps attack squadron consisting of AV-8B Harriers and traces its origins to 1919 when the 1st Division, Squadron 1 was organized. The aircraft fabric insignia offered here dates to the late 1930s when the squadron had been re-designated Marine Observation Squadron One (VO-1M). The VMA-231 designation came about when the squadron was reactivated in 1973. Per the included letter of provenance from the Marine who saved this section of aircraft fabric back in 1937, “Near about 50 years ago I retrieved the Ace of Spades insignia from a trash can outside the Marine hanger at NAS San Diego (North Island). It had been painted on the fabric covering the vertical fin of the O3U-6 airplane assigned to VO-8M, one of the squadrons of Aircraft Two, Fleet Marine Force.” At the time the Marine was a private and radio operator in training. The fabric measures about 17 1⁄2 x 13 1⁄4 inches and is mounted to card stock that also features an image of VO-1M Vought Corsairs and overlaid with a matte. The fabric displays a painted “Ace of Spades” insignia along with Marine nomenclature, including O3U-6, the type aircraft that originally wore the fabric. The famous “Ace of Spades” insignia was designed by squadron member Hayne Boyden who went on to become a highly decorated Marine Corps aviator and aviation pioneer, especially in aerial photography, and was the first official insignia used by a Marine aviation squadron. CONDITION: Fine as mounted, retaining most of the black paint which shows fading. As reminded by the Marine who pulled the fabric out of a trashcan, most of these works of arts were simply discarded. This is a rare and historic piece of U.S. Marine Corps aviation. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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