Ace of Spades VMA-231 USMC Squadron Photo Lot, 12 Photos 1928-1937 4.50" x 3.00" For Sale

Ace of Spades VMA-231 USMC Squadron Photo Collection
12 Photos 1928-1937 4.50"x3.00"in
A Decade with Marine Squadron VO-8M
First Dive Bombers in Military HistoryDESCRIPTIONTwelve original vintage photographs spanning nearly a decade in the life of one United States Marine Corps aviation squadron, VO-8M, known throughout Marine Corps history as the "Ace of Spades."A close tail crop shows the squadron's black spade insignia inside a white roundel, along with the Bureau Number 9743 and the "O3U-6" model designation stenciled beneath it.The fuselage code "8-0-" and "U.S. MARINES" lettering are legible on the same Vought O3U-6 Corsair, photographed from multiple angles on the flight line, with an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem visible between the fuselage portholes and underwing bomb racks visible beneath the lower wing.The squadron flew the O3U-6 only from late 1934 through mid 1937, a period that included Fleet Problem exercises aboard the carriers USS Langley, USS Ranger, and USS Saratoga, work on the 1935 film Devil Dogs of the Air, and selection to represent Marine aviation at the 1936 National Air Races.A second aircraft in the lot, Bureau Number 9538, carries the fuselage code "4-B-5" and is shown in several views including a close tail study and a nose-forward flight line shot. This aircraft's markings and configuration are consistent with the Curtiss F8C/OC "Falcon," the type the squadron flew between 1928 and 1933, before the O3U-6 era pictured elsewhere in this lot.The lot also includes a group photograph hand dated "March, 1930" showing a row of biplanes on a gravel flight line with a Marine corporal standing beside one aircraft and a Marine guard nearby, rifle in hand, plus a second flight line scene with a guard beside a row of aircraft carrying an eagle motif and the number "63."The squadron's history behind these photographs runs deep...It wasorganized in 1919 from the 'Northern Bombing Group' of World War One, the unit adopted its spade insignia in the early 1920s while stationed in Santo Domingo, designed by Lieutenant Hayne Boyden, its letters "A" and "S" standing for Air Squadron.Redesignated VO-8M in July 1927, the squadron was in Nicaragua that same month when ten of its aviators flew to the relief of a besieged Marine garrison at Ocotal and carried out what is recognized as the first dive bombing attack against an organized enemy force in military history. Squadron commander Major Ross Rowell and Lieutenant Boyden were among the first Marine aviators awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for the action.The squadron's spade emblem has flown on Marine Corps aircraft continuously for over a century, from the DH-4s and Corsairs pictured here through the Dauntless dive bombers of Guadalcanal, the Harriers of Desert Storm, and today's F-35B Lightning II.Designated VMA-231 for decades, the squadron flew its final AV-8B Harrier in May 2025 and is transitioning to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231 (VMFA-231), continuing the same Ace of Spades lineage pictured in this lot into a new generation of Marine Corps aviation.All twelve photographs are original period prints with no versos, mounted without captions.Ten measure approximately 4.5 x 3 inches. The March 1930 dated photograph and one companion photograph measure approximately 4.75 x 3 inches.Two pairs among the twelve are matched prints from the same original negatives, both showing the O3U-6 "8-0-" aircraft from the same angle, and both showing the BuNo 9538 aircraft from the same angle, a common period practice of ordering duplicate prints from a favorite shot.Every effort is made toward fact checking and provenance, including background research through news and historical archives. If any listing is incorrect in any way and you are unsatisfied with the item, please connect with me and I will make it right.Orders placed before Noon CDT ship same day via Ground Advantage with tracking so you know exactly when it will arrive. Returns accepted. Rigid, professional packaging on all shipments, sealed and protected in acid free protectors. Shipping is free and already built into the price.CONDITIONTwelve original prints in warm sepia tone, consistent with period processing and age. Overall good to very good condition for prints of this age.Images are sharp with strong contrast and fine detail visible in stenciled lettering, insignia, and strut work. Normal edge and corner wear throughout, with light handling creases on a few prints.The March 1930 dated photograph shows a fine diagonal crease line and small corner mounting holes, both stable and not affecting the image. One print shows light foxing spots in the upper corner margin, outside the image area. No tears, no writing on the fronts beyond the single period ink date notation, and no versos present on any print in the lot; images of versos included.