VF-17 was redesignated VF-5B on 15 November 1946, when the parent airwing, CVG-17 was renamed CVBG-5.

They kept flying the F4U-4 Corsair, and had also in their component two recce Hellcats, model F6F-5P.

The first cruise was completed aboard the USS Valley Forge from 24 January to 18 March 1947. My earliest picture of a VF-5B Corsair, although of poor quality, seems to indicate that the Bones were not present at the very beginning, although it might be possible that this was a replacement aircraft as yet to receive full squadron insignia.

However, by the time of the cruise aboard the USS Coral Sea, from 19 January to 5 April 1948, all the aircraft were proudly displaying the Jolly Rogers' insignia on their cowlings. This insignia was somewhat bigger than that first used on VF-17's Corsairs.

Another period photo shows 3 F4U-4 Corsairs adorned with the Bones:

VF-5B's days were rather short, the squadron being redesignated VF-61 on 28 July 1948.

Thanks to my friend Claudio Orlich for sending me the pictures of VF-5B aircraft flying the Bones.

Text © 2003-2005 José "Almansur" Herculano; Photos © 2003-2005 by the identified Photographers. No reproduction allowed without prior written consent.