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By the time newly minted U.S. fighter pilots entered WW II in late 1941, they faced a Japanese adversary whose pilots had been flying combat since 1937. Not only were these “flying Samurai” pilots old hats, but they also flew a trump card in the form of the Zero. As the rays of the Rising Sun extended over the vastness of the South Pacific, the two things that stood in their way of reaching the Australian shores was a jumping-off point near the southern tip of New Guinea and the untested, untrained and out-gunned fighter pilots of the Army Air […]
“Ruff Stuff” – Memories of an early War South Pacific fighter pilot
By the time newly minted U.S. fighter pilots entered WW II in late 1941, they faced a Japanese adversary whose pilots had been flying combat since 1937. Not only were these “flying Samurai” pilots old hats, but they also flew a trump card in the form of the Zero. As the rays of the Rising Sun extended over the vastness of the South Pacific, the two things that stood in their way of reaching the Australian shores was a jumping-off point near the southern tip of New Guinea and the untested, untrained and out-gunned fighter pilots of the Army Air […]
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It was during my initial flight training in early 1942, after performing loops, rolls and Immelmann turns, that I knew I wanted to fly fighters for the Luftwaffe. I was granted my wish in December of 1942 when I was sent to No. 1 Fighter School at Werneuchen near Berlin. My instructors were all high-time […]
Ivans and Indians – Fighting the Allies with a Fw 190
It was during my initial flight training in early 1942, after performing loops, rolls and Immelmann turns, that I knew I wanted to fly fighters for the Luftwaffe. I was granted my wish in December of 1942 when I was sent to No. 1 Fighter School at Werneuchen near Berlin. My instructors were all high-time […]
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Of all the written accounts by the fighter pilots of the RAF during 1941, two stand out, in my opinion. Both were by pilots who flew Spitfire Mk Vs with 610 Squadron, which by summer 1941 was one of the squadrons under Wing Commander Douglas Bader. “Circuses” were usually composed of six bombers, escorted by […]
Early Channel Battles Spitfires fend off Me 109s
Of all the written accounts by the fighter pilots of the RAF during 1941, two stand out, in my opinion. Both were by pilots who flew Spitfire Mk Vs with 610 Squadron, which by summer 1941 was one of the squadrons under Wing Commander Douglas Bader. “Circuses” were usually composed of six bombers, escorted by […]
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The Royal Navy operated over 2,000 F4U Corsairs during World War Two. It was flying them from aircraft carriers when the U.S. Navy had declared the aircraft unsuitable for deck operations. “Of all the aircraft I had seen, it was the most wicked-looking bastard. It looked truly vicious. I saw no reason why a Corsair shouldn’t kill me and that day I sat down and typed my last will and testament.” —Lt. Norman Hanson, RNVR 1833 NAS (later Lt. Cdr. DSC), July 1943 Fighters for the Fleet Air Arm At the start of WW II in September 1939, the British […]
Dark Blue – Royal Navy Corsairs – the first to fly from carriers
The Royal Navy operated over 2,000 F4U Corsairs during World War Two. It was flying them from aircraft carriers when the U.S. Navy had declared the aircraft unsuitable for deck operations. “Of all the aircraft I had seen, it was the most wicked-looking bastard. It looked truly vicious. I saw no reason why a Corsair shouldn’t kill me and that day I sat down and typed my last will and testament.” —Lt. Norman Hanson, RNVR 1833 NAS (later Lt. Cdr. DSC), July 1943 Fighters for the Fleet Air Arm At the start of WW II in September 1939, the British […]
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Late into the night of February 27, 1943, Oblt. Heinz Knocke and Lt. Dieter Gerhard of 5./JG 1 sat up discussing how best to combat the B-17 bomber formations that were beginning to increasingly menace the German homeland. Gerhard eventually came up with a brilliant suggestion: “Why don’t we try using our own aircraft to […]
Bombing the Bombers – Me 262s take desperate measures against the Allies
Late into the night of February 27, 1943, Oblt. Heinz Knocke and Lt. Dieter Gerhard of 5./JG 1 sat up discussing how best to combat the B-17 bomber formations that were beginning to increasingly menace the German homeland. Gerhard eventually came up with a brilliant suggestion: “Why don’t we try using our own aircraft to […]
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It’s hard to accurately put the importance of the WW II crew chief, his mechanics and the armorers in perspective. It’s just as difficult to visualize both the complexity of their jobs and the environments in which they had to perform them. First the hardware: If you strip away the intricate electronic systems of today’s […]
The Guys with the Wrenches – The pilots got the glory but the unknown heroes were the mechanics
It’s hard to accurately put the importance of the WW II crew chief, his mechanics and the armorers in perspective. It’s just as difficult to visualize both the complexity of their jobs and the environments in which they had to perform them. First the hardware: If you strip away the intricate electronic systems of today’s […]
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When highly coveted Kodachrome transparency film was present in the tropics, it could suffer the ravages of humidity as is evident in this spotted, yet evocative image of Spitfires in a faraway place. In the absence of formal caption information, some clues in this battered Kodachrome may help identify the players. The Spitfires all wear […]
A Pacific Kodak Moment
When highly coveted Kodachrome transparency film was present in the tropics, it could suffer the ravages of humidity as is evident in this spotted, yet evocative image of Spitfires in a faraway place. In the absence of formal caption information, some clues in this battered Kodachrome may help identify the players. The Spitfires all wear […]
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Saburo Sakai was a samurai, tracing his warrior-caste linage back to sword-swinging feudal forebears who had invaded Korea in the 16th century. Raised on a small farm near the city of Saga, Japan, he learned to scorn money and to endure resultant poverty rather than stooping to accepting servitude in exchange for currency. His family […]
Samurai Survivor – Zero ace Saburo Sakai
Saburo Sakai was a samurai, tracing his warrior-caste linage back to sword-swinging feudal forebears who had invaded Korea in the 16th century. Raised on a small farm near the city of Saga, Japan, he learned to scorn money and to endure resultant poverty rather than stooping to accepting servitude in exchange for currency. His family […]
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In mid-1943, the Grumman Aircraft Corp. began to deliver the F6F Hellcat—its latest and greatest fighter—to the U.S. Navy. It was fast, maneuverable, heavily armed and armored. It was built “Grumman tough” and soon earned the nickname “Ace Maker.” As a replacement for its little brother, the F4F Wildcat, the Hellcat was everything the F4F […]
Quick Draw McGraw – FM-2 Wildcat action in the battle of Leyte Gulf
In mid-1943, the Grumman Aircraft Corp. began to deliver the F6F Hellcat—its latest and greatest fighter—to the U.S. Navy. It was fast, maneuverable, heavily armed and armored. It was built “Grumman tough” and soon earned the nickname “Ace Maker.” As a replacement for its little brother, the F4F Wildcat, the Hellcat was everything the F4F […]
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In early December of 1944, most of the pilots in the 78th Fighter Group, especially those with over 25 combat missions under their belts, felt “fat and sassy” flying the reliable and hard-hitting P-47 Thunderbolt. Seasoned pilots realized early on that the “Jug” was like a flying tank: one that could deliver deadly punishment to […]
Marvelous Mustangs – Pilots of the 78th FG Trade in their P-47s for P-51s—And Love Them!
In early December of 1944, most of the pilots in the 78th Fighter Group, especially those with over 25 combat missions under their belts, felt “fat and sassy” flying the reliable and hard-hitting P-47 Thunderbolt. Seasoned pilots realized early on that the “Jug” was like a flying tank: one that could deliver deadly punishment to […]
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I had always wanted to be a fighter pilot, the “man in charge,” if you will. After I had earned my wings in 1943, I was given the choice of single-engine fighters or bombers. Although multi-engines may have sounded safer, I knew that the only person who would be able to put my flying abilities […]
RUTHLESS JUG JOCKEY – Flying with the 317th Fighter Squadron
I had always wanted to be a fighter pilot, the “man in charge,” if you will. After I had earned my wings in 1943, I was given the choice of single-engine fighters or bombers. Although multi-engines may have sounded safer, I knew that the only person who would be able to put my flying abilities […]
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