picture 196321

After briefly flying a few F2H-1s during their transition to jets, the “Flying Ubangis” of VF-12 became operational in F2H-2s. The squadron’s color was white, and it was applied to the nose, the fin cap, and the trim tab on the rudder. BuNo. 125004 is illustrated here as it appeared in 1952 while VF-12 was aboard the ESSEX class carrier, USS WASP, CVA-18. At that time, the unit did not paint its designation on the aft fuselage of the aircraft, however the modex was lettered in white on each tip tank. In addition to operating aboard WASP, VF-12 also flew Banshees from all three MIDWAY class carriers. (Artwork by Rock Roszak)