Author Topic: Definitive list of aircraft - Okinawa (Read 1970 times)

Photon · « **on:** September 21, 2006, 07:50:36 AM »

I'm doing some research on the Battle of Okinawa and am looking for a definitive list of aircraft involved in the Battle.

So far I have been able to dig around on the net to put together the list below;

Does anyone have any information that will clarify if this list is correct or complete? Also what squadrons were involved in the battle?

Thanks

TBF Avenger
F4U-5 Corsair Vought Corsair with No. 1841 Squadron FAA on HMS Formidable
Seafire
Sea Hurricane Mk 1A-C or IIC
Wildcat
F6F Hellcat No. 1844 Squadron FAA
P-47D
B29
B24
P51
P61
A26

Nakajima B6N2 (Jill - single engine torpedo-equipped attack aircraft)
A6m2 (Zero)
Kawasaki Ki-45 Kai Hei (Nick)
Mitsubishi G4M3 Model 34 (Japanese Betty Bomber)
Kawanishi N1K2-Ja Shiden Kai

Patches1 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2006, 09:59:23 AM »

I haven't any information that would assist you other than the following information... the XF4U-5 first flew in April of 1946; that's a bit late for Okinawa.

According to "Warbird Tech Series, Volume 4, Vought F4U", and I'll quote:
"Beginning in January 1945, F4U-4Cs were produced with four 20mm cannon as standard armament. The first of these 300 aircraft reached Okinawa with Marine Air Group 31. Launched from the escort carriers Breton (CVE-23) and Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86), they flew ashore on L-Day plus seven (7 April) in time to intercept inbound kamikazes."

Another quote from the same source may be of interest: "The dash four probably had more variants than any Corsair model. Early on, the Royal Navy version was given the designation F4U-4B, but the war ended before the Fleet Air Arm aquired any such aircraft. Similarly, Goodyear was to have begun production of the equivalent FG-4."

I hope this information helps, sir.

~~Patches~~

Karnak · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2006, 10:00:29 AM »

Pretty sure the A6M5 was the most common Zero there.

Also the Ki-67 'Peggy' was used as well, first use of it by thye IJN.

Saxman · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2006, 10:10:12 AM »

Patches: I think that should be F4U-1C. The F4U-4A (what we have in the game) was the only variant of the -4 to see action in WWII. The 4B was the first to permanently introduce cannon to the Hog, and didn't enter service until after the war.

I don't believe there was a special designation for exported F4U-4s. The F4U-1B WAS the US designation for F4U-1As built for British service. The two were more or less indistinguishable, except I think the 1B had clipped wings. I think the -4 was JUST the -4, whether built for the US or the Brits.

Patches1 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2006, 12:16:46 PM »

Saxman...please refer to my quotes. Each Quote is direct from the book...not my personal preferences, or feelings.

The book is not expensive...and I gave its' title.

Here it is again: "WARBIRDTECH SERIES, Volume 4, Vought F4U CORSAIR", and my qoutes came from page 45.

Sir,

Patches

Saxman · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2006, 01:06:44 PM »

I know. I think that BOOK is either wrong or just misprinted the designation.

The description the quote gives of the 4C matches the 1C almost perfectly. The F4U-1C entered combat in early 1945, was armed with 20mm cannon, and had a production run of 300 aircraft.

Anyone seen WW or DOA?

Debonair · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2006, 02:46:35 PM »

Ki-43 was an in service kamikaze type at that time.

Kev367th · « **Reply #7 on:** September 22, 2006, 10:09:45 AM »

Dunno if this helps -

Both the Seafire LIIc (Merlin 32) and LIII were used.

You could work out the squadrons by cross referencing here -

http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net

Debonair · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2006, 10:09:37 PM »

Good point about the BPF birds, add the Firefly too

Photon · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2006, 07:33:52 AM »

Thank you very much everyone for your comments

Anyone else have any comments or have any books/references on the battle of Okinawa that may provide some clues?

I'm surprised that this information isn't already listed somewhere on the net, I've looked long and hard.

Regards,

Photon

Stoney74 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2006, 08:55:43 AM »

If you do a search on the U.S. Navy historical website...

I found a by-month list of aircraft. All aircraft in the U.S. Navy inventory broken down by squadron and location. I'm not sure about the RNAF aircraft, but I'm sure there are some books out there that cover the air portion of the battle in detail. That battle has probably the most books written on it than any other U.S. campaign in the Pacific.

Photon · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2006, 07:26:29 AM »

Stoney74

Thanks for your post, there is a lot of useful information there.

Regards,

Photon

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2006, 08:55:43 AM »

I believe the 80th also took part in the early stages of the battle in their P-38s.

ack-ack

Squire · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2006, 10:43:44 PM »

The Fleet Air Arm used the Corsair II ( F4U-1A) and the Corsair IV (F4U-1D) at the time of Okinawa. They also used the Seafire L. III, and Hellcat. The Royal Navy did not operate the F4U-1C or the F4U-4 in WW2.

Strike a/c were the Barracuda and the TBF Avenger.

The Sea Hurricane was long since retired, and took no part in the battle. It never served with the British Pac Fleet.

The USN "Wildcat" was the FM-2, not the F4F.

The Japanese also used the A6M5 Zero on Okinawa as well as the types listed in the 1st post. Not as Kamikaze, but as regular fighters.

Debonair · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2006, 10:44:53 PM »

Privateer going down over Okinawa