FIGHTER SQUADRON FOUR THREE, VF-43

VF-43 was commissioned on 1 September 1950. Initially equipped with F4U-5 Corsairs the squadron changed to the F4U-4 in 1952. VF-43 joined the jet age in 1953 with the F9F-5 Panther. The Panthers were replaced with swept-wing F9F-6 Cougars in early 1955 which in turn were replaced by F9F-8s on 1 July 1957.

In October 1957, all VF-43 aviators were sent to the F8U maintenance course and received training in the F8U operational and procedures trainers prior to the transition to the Crusaders. In February and March, eleven pilots completed their six familiarization hops in the F8U-1s at VF-174. The first F8U-1 arrived on 3 April 1958 and VF-174 transitioned the remaining nine pilots in April and May.

F8U carquals were conducted in October and the squadron provided CAP duties for fleet units in December as part of DESAIRDEX 2-58 ex­ercises. With fourteen F8U-1 s assigned VF-43 was redesignated VF-11 on 16 February 1959.

Although no photographic records of VF-43 F8U-1 Crusaders could be located, I am sure that at least one reader out there could provide us with suitable squadron colors and markings for FITRON 43 Crusaders.