Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Blank on October 19, 2004, 05:13:43 AM

Title: Anyone know story behind this?
Post by: Blank on October 19, 2004, 05:13:43 AM
was looking for reference pictures while at work (3d modeller) and came across this, it just struck me as either a very brave man going to the aid of the pilot or its the pilot getting out of his burning plane.

Anyone know the story behind this?

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/501_1098180334_f6f_3.gif)
Title: Anyone know story behind this?
Post by: Angus on October 19, 2004, 05:29:11 AM
Saw this one before.
Am Sure Widewing pops up with info.
Title: Anyone know story behind this?
Post by: seabat on October 19, 2004, 09:23:40 AM
"This photo shows the crash landing of F6F-3, Number 30 of Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2) aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), into the carrier's port side 20mm gun gallery, 10 November 1943. The plane's ruptured belly fuel tank caused instant fire.

Lieutenant Walter L. Chewning, Jr., USNR, the Catapult Officer, is climbing up the plane's side to assist the pilot from the burning aircraft. The pilot, Ensign Byron M. Johnson, escaped without significant injury. USS Enterprise was then en route to support the Gilberts Operation."

Forgot the website the above is from.
Title: Anyone know story behind this?
Post by: Blank on October 19, 2004, 10:04:10 AM
cheers seabat, :)
Title: cold case
Post by: joeblogs on October 19, 2004, 12:06:50 PM
you frighten me - blogs

Quote
Originally posted by seabat
"This photo shows the crash landing of F6F-3, Number 30 of Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2) aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), into the carrier's port side 20mm gun gallery, 10 November 1943. The plane's ruptured belly fuel tank caused instant fire.

Lieutenant Walter L. Chewning, Jr., USNR, the Catapult Officer, is climbing up the plane's side to assist the pilot from the burning aircraft. The pilot, Ensign Byron M. Johnson, escaped without significant injury. USS Enterprise was then en route to support the Gilberts Operation."

Forgot the website the above is from.
Title: Anyone know story behind this?
Post by: MOIL on October 19, 2004, 10:45:03 PM
Great Pic!

Notice all the 20mm gun platforms {and that's not ALL of them}
Title: Anyone know story behind this?
Post by: MRPLUTO on October 20, 2004, 12:55:28 PM
Did Lt. Chewning get any kind of award for his heroism?  I should hope so--I mean,  how many people have the courage to step onto a flamming drop tank?

I've seen this picture many times, and it never ceases to amaze me.

MRPLUTO