Especially in the South pacific. Blazing.
American Aviation
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Inspecting a B26 Marauder crash landed.
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Avenger maintenance.
Amazing job of colorization.
Hard to believe really.
Hard to believe really.
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Wildcat, Hellcat, and Bearcat!
Ha! For second there I didn't realize which side of the wall the firing was coming from towards the moving target.
Luv me the Bearcat. Was at an air show many years ago and they had one.
As it was getting ready for a fly by I could hear it a long time before I could see it!.
An engine sound like no other. And my God was it fast!.
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As it was getting ready for a fly by I could hear it a long time before I could see it!.
An engine sound like no other. And my God was it fast!.
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The XTB2D-1 was a late World War 2 prototype for a carrier based torpedo bomber. The Skypirate was to carry four torpedos on underwing pylons, had a powered defensive turret and wing mounted 20mm cannon. It was designed to operate strictly from the new larger carriers when ordered in 1943. It first flew in 1945, but was, like so many other fascinating prototypes of the late war, unnecessary for the war effort and cancelled after two prototypes were built. The aircraft featured a, for its day, MASSIVE 70 foot wingspan (21.34 meters) and was powered by the R-4360 driving a contra-rotating prop.
Looks a bit like a Stuka on steroids.
Looks a bit like a Stuka on steroids.
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Had to look up contra-rotating...
This a good picture of the contra-rotating prop on the XTB2D-1:
"Contra-rotating propellers refers to an installation in which two propellers are attached to the same engine with one mounted immediately behind the other. The two propellers contra-rotate (rotate in opposite directions around the same axis) with engine power provided via a planetary gear or spur gear reduction gear box. Use of contra-rotating propellers recovers energy lost due to the motion of the air in the slipstream of the forward propeller and allows for an increase in power without a corresponding increase in propeller diameter. It will also help counter the torque effects of a high power piston engine."
This a good picture of the contra-rotating prop on the XTB2D-1:
"Contra-rotating propellers refers to an installation in which two propellers are attached to the same engine with one mounted immediately behind the other. The two propellers contra-rotate (rotate in opposite directions around the same axis) with engine power provided via a planetary gear or spur gear reduction gear box. Use of contra-rotating propellers recovers energy lost due to the motion of the air in the slipstream of the forward propeller and allows for an increase in power without a corresponding increase in propeller diameter. It will also help counter the torque effects of a high power piston engine."
The SB-17, also known as the B-17H, was developed as a variant of the iconic B-17 Flying Fortress and was primarily designed for air-sea rescue missions, gaining the nickname “Dumbo†due to its rescue role.
Heavy bombers, specifically modified to manage the lifeboat’s external load, carried this robust airborne lifeboat.
Intended for parachute drop during Dumbo missions, the SB-17 would drop a A-1 rescue boat, which was aimed to land near downed airmen.
Approximately 130 B-17Gs underwent modifications for USAAF air-sea rescue missions, which included equipping them with an airborne lifeboat.
A U.S. Coast Guard Boeing PB-1G Flying Fortress search and rescue plane in flight. The USCG used 18 former USAAF SB-17G from 1945 to 1959.
The Higgins A-1 lifeboat was to be dropped by an SB-17 traveling at an airspeed of 120 miles per hour. The yellow-painted vessel was supplied with enough food, water and clothing for 12 survivors to last for about 20 days in the ocean. It was provided with sails kept relatively small so that inexpert operators could use them.
The SB-29 dropped the A3 boat as seen in the second picture.
The success of the B-17H later referred to as the SB-17 Dumbo, prompted experimentation with a similar air-sea rescue aircraft based on the B-29 as early as 1944. The Superfortress’s extended range, increased lift capacity, and advanced features were all deemed improvements over the SB-17’s capabilities.
In 1949, a series of conversions for a select number of SB-29 aircraft commenced. According to recent research by Robert A. Mann, 25 such aircraft were primarily converted at Tinker Air Force Base.
Heavy bombers, specifically modified to manage the lifeboat’s external load, carried this robust airborne lifeboat.
Intended for parachute drop during Dumbo missions, the SB-17 would drop a A-1 rescue boat, which was aimed to land near downed airmen.
Approximately 130 B-17Gs underwent modifications for USAAF air-sea rescue missions, which included equipping them with an airborne lifeboat.
A U.S. Coast Guard Boeing PB-1G Flying Fortress search and rescue plane in flight. The USCG used 18 former USAAF SB-17G from 1945 to 1959.
The Higgins A-1 lifeboat was to be dropped by an SB-17 traveling at an airspeed of 120 miles per hour. The yellow-painted vessel was supplied with enough food, water and clothing for 12 survivors to last for about 20 days in the ocean. It was provided with sails kept relatively small so that inexpert operators could use them.
The SB-29 dropped the A3 boat as seen in the second picture.
The success of the B-17H later referred to as the SB-17 Dumbo, prompted experimentation with a similar air-sea rescue aircraft based on the B-29 as early as 1944. The Superfortress’s extended range, increased lift capacity, and advanced features were all deemed improvements over the SB-17’s capabilities.
In 1949, a series of conversions for a select number of SB-29 aircraft commenced. According to recent research by Robert A. Mann, 25 such aircraft were primarily converted at Tinker Air Force Base.
Curtiss SB2Cs (“Helldiversâ€) of VMSB-244 fly over Mindanao on a close air mission in support of Army ground troops, June 1945. Although not as common as the Dauntlesses and Corsairs, the two-seat SB2Cs packed plenty of precision punch.
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Where to aim at a moving fighter, from a USAF training manual.
This page explains in layman's terms how the relative speeds of the bomber and target aircraft must be considered when aiming.
Then... rather than aim in front, as you typically would when you are stationary and leading a target, you must aim slightly behind, as your bullets will retain the forward motion of your aircraft as they travel.
This page explains in layman's terms how the relative speeds of the bomber and target aircraft must be considered when aiming.
Then... rather than aim in front, as you typically would when you are stationary and leading a target, you must aim slightly behind, as your bullets will retain the forward motion of your aircraft as they travel.
Incredible series of photos showing a 5th Air Force B-25 attacking Japanese shipping at Rabaul and apparently getting knocked out by its own bombs.
Awesome pic... how unlucky.
This is another amazing shot of a B-25 going down in the Pacific Theatre.
This spectacular crash occurred at Byoritsu oil refinery, Formosa, it was photographed by a B-25 of the 5th Air Force's 345th Bomb Group on 26 May 1945. Just as it released its string of parafrags B-25 NO. 192 was hit by flak from a camouflaged battery and trails smoke. A gaping hole is visible on the pilot's side.
The aircraft is the North American B-25J-10-NC Mitchell (s/n 43-36192) "Jaunty Jo". Crew : 2/Lt Robert J. Knauf Pilot, 2/Lt Martin H. Mulner Jr. Co-Pilot, 1/Lt Lloyd E. Bodell Navigator, Cpl Harold O. Montville Eng/Gunner, Sgt Tennyson C. Harrell Radio/Gunner.
This is another amazing shot of a B-25 going down in the Pacific Theatre.
This spectacular crash occurred at Byoritsu oil refinery, Formosa, it was photographed by a B-25 of the 5th Air Force's 345th Bomb Group on 26 May 1945. Just as it released its string of parafrags B-25 NO. 192 was hit by flak from a camouflaged battery and trails smoke. A gaping hole is visible on the pilot's side.
The aircraft is the North American B-25J-10-NC Mitchell (s/n 43-36192) "Jaunty Jo". Crew : 2/Lt Robert J. Knauf Pilot, 2/Lt Martin H. Mulner Jr. Co-Pilot, 1/Lt Lloyd E. Bodell Navigator, Cpl Harold O. Montville Eng/Gunner, Sgt Tennyson C. Harrell Radio/Gunner.
I was wondering what happened to the crew so looked it up.
"The 16 bombers approached the target almost grazing the treetops. They did so because of the nature of the bombs they were carrying: Parafrag bombs, designed to be dropped with great precision from low altitude, before detonating and breaking into smaller fragments. Parachutes delayed impact long enough for the aircraft to escape unharmed.
It was to be the last flight of the “Jaunty Jo.” As it released its parafrag bombs, the left side of the cockpit was hit by shrapnel, and a gaping hole opened next to the pilots. Possibly it sustained other damage as well. Trailed by a dense tail of smoke, the bomber crashed seconds later, killing all on board."
From "Last Flight of the ‘Jaunty Jo’"
"The 16 bombers approached the target almost grazing the treetops. They did so because of the nature of the bombs they were carrying: Parafrag bombs, designed to be dropped with great precision from low altitude, before detonating and breaking into smaller fragments. Parachutes delayed impact long enough for the aircraft to escape unharmed.
It was to be the last flight of the “Jaunty Jo.” As it released its parafrag bombs, the left side of the cockpit was hit by shrapnel, and a gaping hole opened next to the pilots. Possibly it sustained other damage as well. Trailed by a dense tail of smoke, the bomber crashed seconds later, killing all on board."
From "Last Flight of the ‘Jaunty Jo’"
USAAF P-47 pilot inspecting a hole made by flak in his propeller, Europe 1944.
Great moments in American aviation …
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I'm watching Master of the air in the afternoons and I didn't know about something that apparently happened after the American bombings: the interrogation of the personnel involved.
What I read is interesting
"... the interrogation or debrief, was a real event that happened after every mission in WW2. When the B-17 Flying Fortresses landed, aircrews were taken to a building, given food and coffee, and then seated at a table with a debriefing officer. The debriefing officer, using a preprinted Interrogation Form, thoroughly questioned the crew about what happened during the mission, what went right, and what needed to be done differently in the future. The debriefs were compiled and the lessons learned used to improved the effectiveness of the next bombing raid..."
What I read is interesting
"... the interrogation or debrief, was a real event that happened after every mission in WW2. When the B-17 Flying Fortresses landed, aircrews were taken to a building, given food and coffee, and then seated at a table with a debriefing officer. The debriefing officer, using a preprinted Interrogation Form, thoroughly questioned the crew about what happened during the mission, what went right, and what needed to be done differently in the future. The debriefs were compiled and the lessons learned used to improved the effectiveness of the next bombing raid..."