Author Topic: Definitive list of aircraft - Okinawa (Read 2102 times)

Jester · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2006, 12:26:08 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
The USN "Wildcat" was the FM-2, not the F4F.

Squire,

In the FAA - did they have any F4F-4's operating off the CVE's of the British Pacific Fleet?

!

Debonair · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2006, 01:14:22 AM »

somewhere out on the 'net is great, comprehesive PDF about the British Pacific Fleet.
i read it a few months ago, but it ain't in my bookmarx:mad:

zorstorer · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2006, 11:50:11 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Debonair
Privateer going down over Okinawa

Lordy is that a huge freeking hole over the wing spar / fuselage area?

Stoney74 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2006, 02:06:28 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire

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

F4F was the "Wildcat". FM-2 was the General Motors version of the improved F4F-8. FM-1 was the GM version of the F4F-4.

Grumman stopped building Wildcats in '43 in order to pump out Hellcats. So, GM picked up the production, so when the XF4F-8 went into production, they were all identified as FM-2.

Martlet I and II were FAA names for the F4F-3 with different engines for the two designations. Mk I's were originally French Wildcats. The Martlet Mk III were originally Greek F4F-3's. The Mk IV was the RN version of the F4F-4 with 6X.50 cal instead of 4. The Mk V was the RN version of the FM-1, and the Mk VI the RN version of the FM-2. There are some references to the Mk II having 6X.50cal, but I don't know if this was a change that occured during acquisition or if they were ordered with the greater armament.

Debonair · « **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2006, 05:14:38 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by zorstorer
Lordy is that a huge freeking hole over the wing spar / fuselage area?

hit by archibald-san
http://www.navylib.com/Flak59563.htm

BTW i dont see any float or sea planes listed, nor C6N "Myrt"
also, wtf kinda name is "Myrt"?

Squire · « **Reply #20 on:** October 14, 2006, 11:46:57 PM »

Regarding "Okinawa USN Wildcats". They were all FM-2s. If you start saying Wildcats then folks get the wrong impression. No F4F-4s were in service in the battle.

No Jester, the BPF did not operate any Wildcat versions (F4 or FM) in the 1945 campaigns, the Fleet Carriers and Light Carriers did not operate them.

Its possible the BPF had a few CVEs in 1945 that did have "Martlets" (Wildcats or FMs of some version), but none saw action that I am aware. If there were any they were not in the Okinawan campaign.

Stoney74 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2006, 02:21:39 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
Regarding "Okinawa USN Wildcats". They were all FM-2s. If you start saying Wildcats then folks get the wrong impression. No F4F-4s were in service in the battle.

No Jester, the BPF did not operate any Wildcat versions (F4 or FM) in the 1945 campaigns, the Fleet Carriers and Light Carriers did not operate them.

Its possible the BPF had a few CVEs in 1945 that did have "Martlets" (Wildcats or FMs of some version), but none saw action that I am aware. If there were any they were not in the Okinawan campaign.

"In March [1944] British names for American aircraft were standardized along U.S. lines, so Royal Navy F4F and FM's also became Wildcats..."

--Wildcat Aces of WWII--

813 and 835 Squadron still flying Wildcats in Feb 1945 in North Sea
882 Squadron still flying Wildcats in March 1945 in North Sea
882 Squadron only squad still flying Wildcat Mk VI's on VJ Day

No FAA Wildcats in the Pacific during the Okinawa campaign

110 BPF Corsairs participated in the Okinawa campaign. 270 total FAA aircraft. BPF combined with USN ships as part of TF 57. Corsairs performed flak suppression, attack, and kamikaze intercept. Began operations on 27 March, 1945. Claimed 10 victories between all 6 squadrons during the campaign.

HMS Illustrious--1830 and 1833 Squadrons
HMS Victorious--1834 and 1836 Squadrons
HMS Formidable--1841 and 1842 Squadrons

Stoney74 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2006, 03:12:28 AM »

This list is incomplete, and may have a few errors on squadrons or aircraft assigned. If I couldn't look it up, I just put a question mark indicating squadron, number assigned, type aircraft or variant. This may get you going. I think I'm missing a couple of VMO squadrons that were ashore flying observation planes for Marine units. I'll do some looking online and see if I can find a better air order of battle. Pretty amazing how many Essex class carriers were involved...

USN and USMC units

AFLOAT

USS Bunker Hill

VF-84 36 F4U-1D
VMF-451 18 F4U-1D
VMF-221 18 F4U-1D
VF(N)-76 4 F6F-3N
VT-84 ?? TBM

USS Hancock

USS Langley

VF-23

USS Bennington

?VMF-112 F4U
VF-82 ?? F6F-5
VB-82 ?? SB2C-4
VB-1 ?? SB2C-4

USS Belleau Wood

VF-30 ?? F6F

USS Hornet

VF-?? ?? F6F
VT-17 ?? TBM

USS Cabot

VT-29 ?? TBM

USS Yorktown

VT-9 ?? TBM

USS Intrepid

VF-10 ?? F4U
VT-10 ?? TBM

USS Randolph

VF-
VBF-12 ?? F6F-5
VB ?? SB2C-4
VT ?? TBM

USS Shangri-La

VF-85 ?? F4U
VBF-8 ?? F4U-1C

ASHORE

VMF-311 ?? F4U-1C
VMF-323 ?? F4U-1D
VMF-222 ?? F4U-4
VMF(N)-533 ?? F6F-?N

Photon · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2006, 06:24:12 AM »

Fantastic,
Thank you all very much for your time and effort in responding to my post. All this information is very useful.

Stoney74, you had qustion marks against "VMF-311 ?? F4U-1C"

FYI
"The F4U-1C in Aces High carries the markings of VMF-311 during the Okinawa campaign".
http://www.hitechcreations.com/ahhelp/models/f4u1c.html

Photon

Stoney74 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 15, 2006, 10:38:49 AM »

Yeah, the question marks in front of the aircraft type mean I didn't know how many aircraft were assigned...

I also wasn't sure about VMF-112's participation. I know they were assigned to the ship shortly after the battle, and I know they are listed as a squadron involved in the battle so I just assumed.

Jester · « **Reply #25 on:** October 15, 2006, 12:35:46 PM »

Hey Stoney,

In reference to your list above:

VF-10 GRIM REAPERS flew two models of the Corsair while assigned to the USS INTREPID CV-11. Dates below:

VF-10

Feb.-April.45 - F4U-1D "Corsair"
July-Sep.45 - F4U-4 "Corsair"

!

Stoney74 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 15, 2006, 07:31:33 PM »

A little errata...

BPF consisted of the Indomitable, Victorious, Illustrious, Indefatigable. Not the Formidable as I listed above. Formidable was refitting at the time...TF 57 was the BPF. TF 58 was the U.S. carrier task force. They didn't combine, although there were some pilot/squadron exchanges between the 2 countries Corsair squadrons.

More units ashore:

VMF-441
VMF(N)-542
VMF-312

There were 2 VMTB squadrons (TBM's) but I don't know the designations.

Jester · « **Reply #27 on:** October 15, 2006, 10:57:25 PM »

(MAP NOTE: Dates on map show day unit arrived at location - not comminced combat ops.)

USMC AIR UNITS ASHORE: OKINAWA

(Along with base of operations and dates units started combat operations)

TACTICAL AIR FORCE: TG 99.2

AIR DEFENCE COMMAND: TU 99.2.1

MAG-31 (Yontan, Chimu) April 7
VMF-224
VMF-311
VMF-441
VMF(N)-542

MAG-33 (Kadena, Awase) April 9
VMF-312
VMF-322
VMF-323
VMF(N)-543

MAG-22 (Ie Shima, Chimu) May 21
VMF-113
VMF-314
VMF-422
VMF(N)-533

MAG-14 (Kadena, Awase) June 8
VMF-212
VMF-222
VMF-223

ANTISUBMARINE UNIT: TU 99.2.3
VMTB-232 April 22
VMTB-131 May 30

(NOTE: Though an ASW unit, VMTB-232, due to lack of equipment and USN units able to cover her role was pressed into Day/Night troop support bombing and para dropping suppies.)

BOMBER COMMAND: TU 99.2.2
VMB-612 July 29

(NOTE: Only a few missions flown.)

AIR SUPPORT CONTROL UNIT: TU 99.2.5
VMO-2 (2nd MarDiv)
VMO-3 (1st MarDiv)
VMO-6 (6th MarDiv)
VMO-7 (III AmphibCorps Artillery)

(NOTE: Flying L-4 Light Planes to provide spotting for air support and artillery.)

USMC AIR UNITS AFLOAT: OKINAWA
(NOTE: Not counting TASK FORCE 58 units.)

TASK UNIT 52.1.1 (Later 32.1.3)

MCVG-1 (USS BLOCK ISLAND CVE-106) May 10
VMF-511
VMTB-233

MCVG-2 (USS GILBERT ISLANDS CVE-107) May 21
VMF-512
VMTB-143

(NOTE: Each "Marine" CVE carried 8x F4U-1D, 8x F6F-5N, 2x F6F-5P & 12x TBM's.)

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Hope this helps you out.

If pressed, I can give you the type of aircraft for each squadron - but it will take some time.
I can also give you a similar list for the ARMY AIR FORCE Units ashore and the day they started combat ops.
Let me know.

!

Stoney74 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 15, 2006, 11:25:22 PM »

Good post, thanks for clearing that up. I was trying to piece together stuff from a couple of books and some websites...

Jester · « **Reply #29 on:** October 16, 2006, 12:03:47 AM »

NP Stoney - glad to help.

I got a little time on my hands so I will go ahead and post the AAF Units. It might help anyone trying to track down the exact plane types.

There were also some USN units ashore but I don't have much info on them.

!