Why does the Tobul family's Corsair carry a different unit…

Why does the Tobul family's Corsair carry a different unit on each side?

Short answer

Because the same airframe fought in Korea with two different squadrons: it flew with VF-653 from the USS Valley Forge between December 1950 and May 1951, and with VF-884 from the USS Boxer between June and October 1951. The aircraft displays nose number 308 as well as 416.

Published: October 31, 2026 · Updated: October 31, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Why does the Tobul family's Corsair carry a different unit on each side?

F4U at 2023 Oshkosh

Two squadrons, one airframe

This airframe served with two different units. It was in Korea from December 1950 to May 1951 aboard the USS Valley Forge (CV45) with VF-653. It then embarked on the USS Boxer between June and October 1951, during its second deployment, by then with VF-884. On the aircraft, nose number 416 corresponds to VF-884 and 308 to VF-653.

Kansas and Ohio insignia

VF-884 came from Kansas and sported a cartoon of a Kansas Jayhawk on its flight jackets. VF-653, from Ohio, carried a dragon holding a shield with a gold triangle in the upper left corner, a reference to Pittsburgh. With VF-653, the aircraft was flown by several pilots from Pittsburgh.

From Honduras to Pittsburgh

Between roughly 1960 and 1970, the aircraft flew with the Honduran Air Force. In 1970 it was sold to a US airline pilot and brought to the United States. Joe and Jim Tobul bought it in 1981 and undertook a very long restoration project. The restoration was carried out in Pittsburgh. Ten years later, the "Korean War Hero" flew again on December 8, 1991, fittingly over the skies of Pittsburgh.