The "Catus" Air Force

[earl1937]

  During the early months of WW2 in the Southwestern part of the Pacific theater of operations, not having a great deal of assests to slow down the invasions and capture of territories by the Japanese, a little know force was organized to repeal the on slaulght of Japanese forces. The Allies created a combined air formation, Cactus Air Force, establishing air superiority during the daylight hours. The Japanese then resorted to nightly resupply missions which they called "Rat Transportation" (and the Allies called "the Tokyo Express") through New Georgia Sound ("The Slot"). Many pitched battles were fought trying to stop Japanese supplies from getting through. So many ships were lost by both sides during the Guadalacanal campaign that the southern end of New Georgia Sound, the area north of Guadalcanal previously called Savo Sound, became known as "Ironbottom Sound".
Allied success in the Solomon Islands campaign prevented the Japanese from cutting Australia and New Zealand off from the U.S. Operation Cartwheel — the Allied grand strategy for the Solomons and New Guinea campaigns — launched on June 30, 1943, isolated and neutralized Rabaul and destroyed much of Japan's sea and air supremacy. This opened the way for Allied forces to recapture the Philippines and cut off Japan from its crucial resource areas in the Netherlands East Indies.
The backbone of the Catus air force consisted of the following aircraft when formed: F4F Wildcat, SBD Dauntless, TBF Avenger,J2F-5 Duck,P-39 Airacobra, PBY Catalina and the Lockheed Hudson (RNZAF).
The F4F
The "Duck", with a F3F-2 in tow!
The Lockheed Hudson Bomber
The PBY patrol aircraft
The Bell P-39
The TBF bomber
The SBD "Dive bomber"

U.S. Navy and Marine fighter pilots, who had little high-altitude flying experience to begin with, were at a disadvantage from the start because their F4F Wildcat was not in the same class as the Japanese A6M Zero when it came to service ceiling, rate of climb, and maneuverability. The Zero fighter was lighter, faster, and a better climber. The American pilots learned quickly not to dogfight with the Zero. Instead, if they became engaged with one, they would give it a quick, diving firing-burst and then dive away to regroup, climb, and attack again. Cactus pilots had to constantly refine their tactics and techniques, rely on teamwork in dogfights and improve their gunnery to remain effective against the Zeroes.

Because of the Zero's maneuverability, American pilots quickly adapted hit and run tactics similar to those used by the American Flying Tigers in China and Burma and the tactic of a two-plane mutually protecting flight section. This technique had previously been developed by the U.S. Navy fighter pilots John Thach and Edward O'Hare, and it was known as the "Thach Weave." The aircraft would remain in the same general area of one another and if Zeroes showed up, they had a better chance of engaging the aircraft on the tails of their wing men.One American pilot had remarked," One Zero against one Grumman is not an even fight, but with mutual support two Grummans are worth four or five Zeros."
Disadvantages aside, the Wildcat was not without its merits. This fighter plane was found to be well-defended compared to the lightly armored Zero, had a self-sealing fuel tank, and possessed adequate firepower with six .50 caliber M-2 Browning machine guns. U.S. Marine pilots, very skeptical since the Battle of Midway, did place a great deal of confidence in their aircraft at first.
Because they could not effectively dogfight the Zeroes, Henderson Field's defenders realized that the best they could do was break up each day's raid and live to fight another day. With this in mind, their primary targets became the bombers rather than the fighters, and many of the tactics introduced were largely devised by Marine Major John L. Smith. American aircraft always sought to initiate the attack at least 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above the Japanese formations, and they concentrated their attack on the trailing aircraft in the Japanese formation. This gave them good angles to shoot at the exposed fuel tanks of the Japanese bombers, and it also presented a difficult gunnery problem for the bombers, since the high overhead passes of the American fighters put them into blindspots from the Japanese gunners. This tactic also caused the escorting Japanese fighters to climb and burn more of their fuel, and thus reducing the time they could spend over Guadalcanal itself.
From September 3 to November 4, 1942, the Cactus Air Force claimed downing 268 Japanese planes in aerial combat, and the damage inflicted on others is estimated to be as great.
During the battles during the time of the CAF, serveral pilots were awarded the Medal Of Honor, America's highest military award for bravery! John L. Smith, Robert E. Galer, Joe Foss, Harold W. Bauer, Jefferson J. DeBlanc, James E. Swett.
This was a good example of American military members, making the best out of what they had on hand to fight with. After America's industrial might got going, the fight was over, as thousands of aircraft and thousands of brave young men took the fight to the enemies of the U.S. and the rest is history.

[Saxman]

It should be noted that it was the P-400 variant of the P-39 that was used at Guadalcanal.

Also, from what I've been able to find most of the Marine Wildcats at Guadalcanal were actually either F4F-3s or F4F-3As, with the US Navy getting first crack at the -4. Bob Galer's bird was definitely a -3. The F4F-3 was actually the most popular of the three main F4F variants of the early part of the war. The pilots hated the reduced firing time per gun of the F4F-4, preferring the -3's armament of four .50cal with 430rds/gun (which led to GM reducing the number of guns back to four in the FM-1, which was otherwise an F4F-4, and FM-2). Additionally, the -4 removed the wing fuel tanks, shortening the aircraft's range on internal fuel. The equipment to allow the aircraft's wings to fold so more could be stored on the carriers also added a significant amount of weight. The end result is that despite the F4F-3 carrying more fuel and ammunition, the F4F-4 was actually a full 1000lbs heavier than the earlier model, reducing top speed, maneuverability, and rate of climb over the F4F-3.

The -3A was another matter entirely, using a single-stage supercharger rather than the -3's two-stage unit, reducing top speed to around 312mph at 16,000ft. Otherwise the machine was the same as the F4F-3, but was not liked by its pilots.

[earl1937]

It should be noted that it was the P-400 variant of the P-39 that was used at Guadalcanal.

Also, from what I've been able to find most of the Marine Wildcats at Guadalcanal were actually either F4F-3s or F4F-3As, with the US Navy getting first crack at the -4. Bob Galer's bird was definitely a -3. The F4F-3 was actually the most popular of the three main F4F variants of the early part of the war. The pilots hated the reduced firing time per gun of the F4F-4, preferring the -3's armament of four .50cal with 430rds/gun (which led to GM reducing the number of guns back to four in the FM-1, which was otherwise an F4F-4, and FM-2). Additionally, the -4 removed the wing fuel tanks, shortening the aircraft's range on internal fuel. The equipment to allow the aircraft's wings to fold so more could be stored on the carriers also added a significant amount of weight. The end result is that despite the F4F-3 carrying more fuel and ammunition, the F4F-4 was actually a full 1000lbs heavier than the earlier model, reducing top speed, maneuverability, and rate of climb over the F4F-3.

The -3A was another matter entirely, using a single-stage supercharger rather than the -3's two-stage unit, reducing top speed to around 312mph at 16,000ft. Otherwise the machine was the same as the F4F-3, but was not liked by its pilots.

Great Post! That's the kind of info that we need to better understand the whats and hows! 

[DaveBB]

A while back, someone posted an interview with a P-40 pilot who was part of the Flying Tigers, and who went on to serve in the Pacific.  He described these "hit and run" tactics that we hear so much about.  When describing them in detail, they were in reality energy fighting maneuvers.  These pilots were no slouches.  They adapted and created tactics very quickly.  From what I've read (boy do I wish I could find that interview), I'm going to go on record and say that "hit and run" tactics so often talked about are almost a myth.  The pilots used vertical fighting as much as possible, and when their energy levels were high they would maneuver on the Zeros to get a firing solution.  Let me search the forums and see if I can find the article I'm talking about.

[DaveBB]

This is by Erik Shilling

When combat was imminent, you immediately went to either METO or Max power if necessary. At times when one's life was in danger you used as much power as you could get. At METO power the P-40B's speed would be above 300 mph, and at these speeds, unless the enemy had an altitude advantage, he could not even catch you.

Robert Scott tells the story about escaping from a Japanese fighter. Not being high enough to dive, he says he was pulling 55 [inches manifold pressure] escaping from a Japanese fighter. (41 in hg was T/O M/P) He thought he heard the engine detonating, and reduced power. When the sound he heard turned out to be exploding cannon, he immediately went back to 55 in MP. Needless to say he escaped.

Tactics:

First and formost is a fact often overlook by many, which was the Flying Tigers only attacked IF they had the advantage. (Altitude or speed.)

We used to liten to Tokyo Rose quite frequently. On several of her broadcast, she called the Flying Tigers cowards because we refused to stay and fight, then challanged us to stop running away. We thought this was quite humorous, and at the same time, knew our tactics were hurting.

Also on some of Tokyo Rose's broadcasts, the number of AVG aircraft that the Japanese claimed to have shot down, was the exact number Japaese aircraft that we had destroyed. (We only lost 4 pilots in aerial combat.) This was the figure I used in giving our kill ratios. It had no bearing on the number of aircraft we or they destroy. Even [Dan] Ford has said that we killed approximately 400 air crew.

To show a couple examples of attacking enemy fighters: If you attack head on, which the enemy was reluctant to do, because our guns outranged their fighters, they would normally pull up. (If he started turning away, he would already be at a disadvantage.) You started firing at Max range, and then dive away, under these conditions we didn't turn and tangle with a Jap fighters.

Attacking the enemy from a 3 to 6 o'clock position.

Why roll rate was important, is that one must remember that all maneuvers, except for a loop, started with a roll. The slower the roll rate the longer it took before the turn began.

1. If he turned away, he set you up on his six. A most undesirable position for him, because he would be a dead duck.

2. The enemy invariably turned toward you which was normal and anticipated. With his slower roll rate, you could beat him into the turn, get a deflection shot at him, and when you slowed down to where he started gaining on you in the circle, you rolled and dove away before you were in his sights. If you haven't tried it don't knock it.

This is where roll rate came into the picture. As far as Japanese fighters were concerned, their inferior roll rate was at all speeds. Above 240, it would take the Zero 3 second before he attained bank angle for max turn. (And the airplane doesn't start turning until bank angle is established.)

Since you could see him starting to bank, which you would have anticipated, you could easily bank more quickly and establish max bank angle within 1 second, and pull whatever "Gs" necessary to establish lead.

At this speed, and with your lead already established, you could maintain lead for some time before speed bled off to where the Zero could turn inside, you got the hell out. (Don't forget same speed and same "G" equal same radius of turn. Above 220 IAS [indicated air speed in miles per hour] the radius of the circle was determined by pilots ability to withstand "Gs" [gravitational forces]. You could turn with the Zero as long as the speed was above 220 IAS.

If his reaction was only to pull. At these speed the "G" factor still applies; besides, the Zero could not take 6 "Gs," and the P-40 could pull over 9 "Gs." Most fighter pilots could "momentarily" withstand 9 "G's" or more without blacking out.

If the situation was reversed and the Zero was attacking you. Your roll rate would save your bellybutton by allowing you to roll to max turning bank, using 6 "Gs" or more, then continue rolling to inverted and dive. Rolling 180 degrees to dive would take less than 2 seconds, the Zero took 6. The Zero would never get a shot. He couldn't get lead, and by the time he was inverted you would already be out of range, gaining speed much more rapidly than the Zero.

As can be seen from the above illustration, that in the beginning roll rate was the primary factor in starting any maneuver except the loop. [And therefore the Immelmann turn, much favored by Japanese pilots.] After bank angle was established then speed was the primary factor. To escape from a Zero, roll rate again became the primary factor, then speed.

Anyone who disagrees with the above has never been in combat, and as far as I know, few books if any bring this out.

[earl1937]

This is by Erik Shilling

Thanks for sharing! This is the kind of thing that is of interest to me and a lot of guys who visit the forums! Most folks I know in here don't like all the whinning and poor mouthing that some are prone to do. LOL

[Saxman]

Great Post! That's the kind of info that we need to better understand the whats and hows! 

This is why I keep arguing for the addition of the F4F-3 when the Wildcats are remodeled. The 4-gun package on the -4 is NOT the same machine. Launching an F4F-4 with the 4-gun package gives you an FM-1

[Mongoose]

  In regard to roll rate: 

   I remember reading a particular pilot talking about ACM, I don't remember where, or even which conflict.  But he said the enemy planes could out-turn the American planes.  But the American planes had the advantage, because their roll rate was higher.  This meant that they could transition from one maneuver to another faster than the enemy plane.  So even though the enemy plan could turn inside the American plane, the American pilots could beat them by doing the scissors, or some any other series of rapidly changing turns.

[Puma44]

 In regard to roll rate:  

   I remember reading a particular pilot talking about ACM, I don't remember where, or even which conflict.  But he said the enemy planes could out-turn the American planes.  But the American planes had the advantage, because their roll rate was higher.  This meant that they could transition from one maneuver to another faster than the enemy plane.  So even though the enemy plan could turn inside the American plane, the American pilots could beat them by doing the scissors, or some any other series of rapidly changing turns.

A faster roll rate allows the fighter pilot to set his/her lift vector to the desired point faster.  

[trap78]

This is why I keep arguing for the addition of the F4F-3 when the Wildcats are remodeled. The 4-gun package on the -4 is NOT the same machine. Launching an F4F-4 with the 4-gun package gives you an FM-1

Didn't the -4 Wildcat have folding wings and the -3 did not? My understanding was the hinge assembly for the wings added significant weight to the -4 which affected both speed and maneuverability vs the -3. I agree, the -3 cat would be a good addition.

[Saxman]

Didn't the -4 Wildcat have folding wings and the -3 did not? My understanding was the hinge assembly for the wings added significant weight to the -4 which affected both speed and maneuverability vs the -3. I agree, the -3 cat would be a good addition.

Read my first post in the thread. 

[trap78]

Right...missed it the first time 

[Gman]

Cool pics, I like the PBY one, I don't see many pics of it here on this bbs.  Every time I see it, I'm reminded of the USS Indianapolis sinking, and how when the shark ravaged survivors were spotted days later, men were so desperate to get away from the sharks and dehydration that they allowed themselves to be tied on to the top wings of the PBY's with paracord.  So now, every time I see a PBY, my 2 biggest fears, being eaten by a shark while at sea in the water, and falling without a parachute are combined and realized.  Apparently it was very tough as well, at least the late war versionl

. When the PBY's fuselage was full, the crew carried men onto the wings. All night long, Marks and his crew fought to get as many men as possible out of the shark infested sea. The wings' fabric covering was soon filled with holes, and covered with survivors, tied in place with parachute cord.

Adrian Marks and his gallant an courageous flight crew saved 56 men that day. A record that has never been equaled for a sea plane of that size since!

By morning Lieutenant Mark's PB-Y was a floating unflyable hulk. The Cecil Doyle came along side and took off the rescued survivors. Marks stripped the plane of all instruments and secret gear, and transferred himself and his crew to the Doyle asking her skipper to destroy his plane by gunfire, lest if fall into enemy hands.

The PBY Marks used that day, as he put it, "was the duty PBY", one of those built toward the end of the war in which an experimental self-sealing gas tank had been fitted in the starboard wing. The port wing tank was the standard non-sealing type. In spite of two direct hits to the starboard tank, the plane refused to burst into flame. It wasn't until the Doyle trained her guns on the PB-Y's port side that they were successful in destroying the plane.

[colmbo]

While in high school I worked for a man that was an armament chief on the P-400s on Guadalcanal.  He was in the advance party of four men for his squadron.  The first night on the island a Jap snuck into their tent and cut the throats of two of his tent mates.

After the squadron was established on the island he volunteered as a gunner on one of the B-17s flying out of there and was shot down and had to bail out of the Fortress. While under his parachute the Jap fighter strafed him putting 4 MG rounds into one of his legs.  The crew got into a raft and spent 56 hours in the water before being rescued by a PBY.

[colmbo]

Almost forgot, one day he was in a jeep at the end of the runway watching Wildcats land after a dogfight overhead.  As one 'Cat turned final its machine guns started firing (some kind of malfunction) hitting his jeep.