Author Topic: U.S. Naval Planes (Read 6078 times)

Movie · « **Reply #75 on:** July 22, 2007, 12:46:38 PM »

its all good:aok

SIK1 · « **Reply #76 on:** July 23, 2007, 02:17:40 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Widewing
Rolex stated that the first COMBAT operation was flown by FAA Corsairs, and he's right. VF-17 never flew a combat sortie from the Bunker Hill. They were detached and transferred via a 'jeep' carrier to Guadalcanal. They then flew to New Georgia, where they flew their first combat mission under Marine Corps command on October 27, 1943.

My regards,

Widewing

Widewing I have to respecfuly disagree with you here. November 11, 1943, twenty-four corsairs from VF-17 left Ondongo to act as cover over Task Force 50.3 (U.S.S Bunker Hill, Essex, Independendce, and DD screen) east of Bougainville. At 2130 the shore based fighters began to land aboard the carriers (11 f4u's landed aboard Essex, 12 aboard Bunker Hill), one returned to Ondongo as he left late and was unable to find the others. Landing operations were completed in 15 minutes.

At 2330 the fighters were launched to provide cover for the Task Force as the strike group returned to the carriers. VF-17 destroyed several enemy aircraft with the loss of one of their own, but the pilot was recovered. A few of the pilots had to land back aboard the carriers to refuel as they were to low on fuel to return to Ondongo.

Now I'm not sure what constitutes combat carrier operations, but the fact that the aircraft of VF-17 had at least one trap, one launch, and saw combat I would believe that that would be combat operations from a carrier.

Granted the FAA corsairs were the first to carry out regular combat carrier operations, but not the first to carry out combat operations from a carrier.

My sources are from both "The Skull & Cross Bones Squadron" by Lee Cook, and "The Jolly Rogers" by Tom Blackburn.

Edit to name sources

HoseNose · « **Reply #77 on:** July 23, 2007, 10:09:46 AM »

Now those were F4U-1's correct? just making sure, since i think the only F4U-1A's (which were not designated as such yet) entered service only with the USMC during 43, some with water injection in late 43.

SIK1 · « **Reply #78 on:** July 23, 2007, 11:28:56 AM »

VF-17's, corsairs were indeed -1A's, they were received in September 1943, just before CV-17, (Bunker Hill) was deployed to the PTO.

I'm not sure if these aircraft had water injection, but they did have the raised seat, bubble canopy, and the starboard wing spoiler to improve stall characteristics.

Saxman · « **Reply #79 on:** July 23, 2007, 11:32:12 AM »

VF-17 had 1As in late 43 as well. IIRC, a number of -1s already deployed were upgraded to "1A's" in the field

F4UDOA · « **Reply #80 on:** July 23, 2007, 02:46:22 PM »

Here are a couple of famous photo's the VF-17 deployment on the Bunker Hill.

Definitely -1's, the cowl flaps are open in front of the canopy (Not sealed) as well as the birdcage and early war paint.

SIK1 · « **Reply #81 on:** July 23, 2007, 02:59:02 PM »

Those pictures were taken during Bunker Hill's shakedown cruise to Trinidad July of '43. The squadron was equiped with the F4U-1A before deploying to the Pacific.

Ace8765 · « **Reply #82 on:** July 24, 2007, 12:27:32 PM »

1. F4U-4
2. F6F
3. F4F
4. SBD
5. TBM
6. Zekes
7. D3A
8. Kate
9< Every other plane

HoseNose · « **Reply #83 on:** July 24, 2007, 01:09:30 PM »

Don't know if anyone has a copy of Ronald Nijboer's 'Cockpits: An Illustrated History of WWII Aircraft Interiors' but there's a few F4U corsairs on .. well.. the F4U page. Turn to the page which labels all the parts in the cockpit and you'll find a couple of FAA Corsairs.

The picture is labeled 'Fleet Air Arm F4U-1's at Squantum, Massachusetts, 1943.'

If you look carefully, the aircraft has a windshield of an F4U-1A but the cowl flaps seem to go all around the engine, rather than having the top flap blocked.

What's weirder is that they're seeminly FAA Corsair II's (F4U-1A) but they seem to have full tip wings, rather than the clipped ones commonly seen on FAA Hogs.

SIK1 · « **Reply #84 on:** July 24, 2007, 01:20:01 PM »

I was reading some where that only the corsair I's, (F4U-1) had the non clipped wing, (I'm at work so I can't check my source material), but maybe they had the canopies converted to the bubble ones of the 1A.

I know that many of the US -1's were field modified to 1A specs.

Simaril · « **Reply #85 on:** July 24, 2007, 04:22:41 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bodhi
.... The F6F is described by everyone I know who has flown it (both veterans and current pilots) as being better named a ***** cat when it's flight characteristics are considered. .....

OK, I give up. Can I buy a vowel?

Toss me a few more letters, cause I cant think of the 5 letter word you mean.

SIK1 · « **Reply #86 on:** July 24, 2007, 07:18:10 PM »

Men and dogs both chase after it. Another name for a kitty cat. A real ***** cat.

Movie · « **Reply #87 on:** July 24, 2007, 07:38:02 PM »

still dunno:huh

SIK1 · « **Reply #88 on:** July 24, 2007, 07:44:56 PM »

Starts with a P

Movie · « **Reply #89 on:** July 24, 2007, 07:46:29 PM »

omfg im a dumb a** on this 1 gimme more letters