WWII Pacific 1943-44 Private Collection of Pics - RAAF Intelligence Officer
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H.M.S. Patroller
Talk about a busy flight deck, must have been transporting them as surely no way to launch a/c configured like this.
Edit 1 f4_0002 by Andrew, on Flickr
Edit to place slightly larger version.
Edit 1 f4_0002 by Andrew, on Flickr
Edit to place slightly larger version.
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wrxflame - Thanks for another great WW2 pic. HMS Patroller was an escort carrier, and used as an aircraft ferry as well. The aircraft on the deck were possibly being dumped at sea at the end of WW2 - but it appears more likely that these are new aircraft being ferried, due to the lack of damage to airframes, and an appearance that protective coverings are in place over the aircraft.
Below is an interesting "write-up" of a sister escort carrier to HMS Patroller, HMS Reaper.
It appears that some of these early escort carriers were hastily modified merchant freighters - whereas later escort carriers were more extensively redesigned as carriers, despite all of them being based on freighter hulls, anyway.
There were a total of 19 of these escort carriers built.
Escort Carrier HMS REAPER
Below is an interesting "write-up" of a sister escort carrier to HMS Patroller, HMS Reaper.
It appears that some of these early escort carriers were hastily modified merchant freighters - whereas later escort carriers were more extensively redesigned as carriers, despite all of them being based on freighter hulls, anyway.
There were a total of 19 of these escort carriers built.
Escort Carrier HMS REAPER
Interesting collection of aircraft on HMS Patroller.
RN Corsairs and Douglas(?) aircraft with folding wings, but USAAF P-40s?
RN Corsairs and Douglas(?) aircraft with folding wings, but USAAF P-40s?
I42, TBM Avengers
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I don't see any P-40s on there, I-42 (but then, my eyesight..etc).
It seems that the deck cargo is a mix of Grumman, Douglas and Vought naval aircraft.
Note that the ones furthest aft are Grumman Hellcats.
.
It seems that the deck cargo is a mix of Grumman, Douglas and Vought naval aircraft.
Note that the ones furthest aft are Grumman Hellcats.
.
Last edited by Stanwell; 8th Nov 2016 at 20:49.
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I counted 46 aircraft on the flight deck - plus, if the 24 the carrier can carry below are there, and included, that's a total of 70 new aircraft. Talk about a "high value" target!
I agree, P-40F or later - with lengthened rear fuselage
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Bomb Types
Here are a couple of images from the collection that show different types of bomb's used in the conflict. One an Japanese air-to-air aerial burst, the other appears to be an allies aerial burst about 20 meters off the ground, but I can't be sure as the photo is not super clear. It does show how devastating for any one underneath such a blast.
edit 20160919155459161_0015 by Andrew, on Flickr
edit 2 folder 5_0017 by Andrew, on Flickr
edit 20160919155459161_0015 by Andrew, on Flickr
edit 2 folder 5_0017 by Andrew, on Flickr
many thanks for these pics; my uncle flew Beaufighters in New Guinea in 1944-45. He told me that was sh!t-scared for 2 years. He was only 18 when he went there. These great photos give me some idea of what he was doing. I'd love to see more. Unfortunately he passed away about 15 years ago so I can't ask him about it.
Great pictures, wrxflame, keep them coming.
I looked up Cape Boram on GE. How times have changed!
I looked up Cape Boram on GE. How times have changed!
Last edited by India Four Two; 29th Nov 2016 at 11:18.
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The following link is an excellent documentary on the Beaufighter.
Some good clips of New Guinea operations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUvAUw37D8
Some good clips of New Guinea operations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psUvAUw37D8