Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tomorrow (4th June) is the 75th Anniversary of the turning point of the WWII Pacific War. In the evening of that day, at Midway, US A-20 Douglas "Dauntless" dive bombers attacked the main Japanese carrier group.
In an unbelievably short time (I've heard 7½ minutes quoted), but certainly in 20 minutes, three of their four Fleet carriers were ablaze (the fourth, "Hiryu" was damaged, they got that next day (?) Wiki has the whole story (follow the timeline).
The revenge was doubly sweet, for this was the Group which had attacked Pearl Harbor six months before. The back of Japanese offensive air power in the Pacific was broken. There was no way back for Japan: the American yards could outbuild them three to one.
Now Japan could not win the Pacific War, the only question was how long it took them to lose it (it took 3 years - and would've been far longer, with enormous Allied casualities - but for the Bomb).
So the United States proudly celebrates "Midway" day, which is similar in importance to our "BoB" Day , nationally each year ?
Sadly not. Why not ? Dunno.
So please be upstanding with an (honorary) 2nd Lieut of the United States Army Air Corps, and drain a glass to the United States Navy - and Midway !
Danny42C.
♫..."Off we go - ino the Wide Blue Yonder"...♫
Tomorrow (4th June) is the 75th Anniversary of the turning point of the WWII Pacific War. In the evening of that day, at Midway, US A-20 Douglas "Dauntless" dive bombers attacked the main Japanese carrier group.
In an unbelievably short time (I've heard 7½ minutes quoted), but certainly in 20 minutes, three of their four Fleet carriers were ablaze (the fourth, "Hiryu" was damaged, they got that next day (?) Wiki has the whole story (follow the timeline).
The revenge was doubly sweet, for this was the Group which had attacked Pearl Harbor six months before. The back of Japanese offensive air power in the Pacific was broken. There was no way back for Japan: the American yards could outbuild them three to one.
Now Japan could not win the Pacific War, the only question was how long it took them to lose it (it took 3 years - and would've been far longer, with enormous Allied casualities - but for the Bomb).
So the United States proudly celebrates "Midway" day, which is similar in importance to our "BoB" Day , nationally each year ?
Sadly not. Why not ? Dunno.
So please be upstanding with an (honorary) 2nd Lieut of the United States Army Air Corps, and drain a glass to the United States Navy - and Midway !
Danny42C.
♫..."Off we go - ino the Wide Blue Yonder"...♫
Superb shots indeed!
Regarding photo on previous page, the people are:
Lord Trenchard, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton, Air Marshall Sir Robert Wright, and Colin Mason, the artist.
The last question is the event, a commemoration.
Regarding photo on previous page, the people are:
Lord Trenchard, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton, Air Marshall Sir Robert Wright, and Colin Mason, the artist.
The last question is the event, a commemoration.
Danny:-
That you found the two VSOs (correct, definition of a VSO being 2* and above ;-) things of beauty is reward in itself Danny. I must say though that megan has more than stolen my thunder with his three fabulous Spitfire posts. He need not fear a lynching by the mods, for they too will be totally enraptured.
Bandwidth? Wots that then?
thank you for the pic of the two Very Senior Officers in full fig - don't they look grand ! But "c'est magnifique - mais ce n'ést pas un Spitfire".
Bandwidth? Wots that then?
Wot the man said! 
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megan,
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Sir ! What a treasury of brilliant photographs of the nicest thing which ever took to the air. Not necessarily the fastest, or the highest climber, or the easiest thing to handle on the ground, but simply the nicest to fly IMHO.
Many moons ago, a Colonel Bayles (?), USAAC, who flew a PR Spitfire in WWII, said in these columns: "Everyone [every pilot] should have a chance to fly one". I could not agree more. Some aircraft you sat in, some you sat on, but a Spit you put on like an old glove. Admittedly, you didn't have much room - it was better to be not more than 5'10" with a BMI of not more than 21, and even then it was a struggle to carry a couple of three-tonner brake drums inside, as was once my unfortunate lot.
Absolutely viceless and forgiving, floated like a Tiger Moth on landing, no tendency to ground-loop, it showed what could be done when you had one lone genius as a designer instead of a committee. I feel privileged to have had the chance to fly a few hundred (non-op) hours in them.
Our kindly Moderators would not have the heart to take these down until everybody has had time to have a good look at them, now would you, Gentlemen ?
I believe you are "dawnunder"; it so happens that we have an old nursing pal of my Mary's from Adelaide visiting with us at the moment, and I have a niece from Melbourne in regular correspondence, enjoying the autumn there, so I have a tenuous connection with the Wide Brown Land, but sadly never seen the place myself. How are the various groups out there, who are trying to scrape bits together to make another complete Vengeance, getting on, btw ?
A grateful Danny.
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Sir ! What a treasury of brilliant photographs of the nicest thing which ever took to the air. Not necessarily the fastest, or the highest climber, or the easiest thing to handle on the ground, but simply the nicest to fly IMHO.
Many moons ago, a Colonel Bayles (?), USAAC, who flew a PR Spitfire in WWII, said in these columns: "Everyone [every pilot] should have a chance to fly one". I could not agree more. Some aircraft you sat in, some you sat on, but a Spit you put on like an old glove. Admittedly, you didn't have much room - it was better to be not more than 5'10" with a BMI of not more than 21, and even then it was a struggle to carry a couple of three-tonner brake drums inside, as was once my unfortunate lot.
Absolutely viceless and forgiving, floated like a Tiger Moth on landing, no tendency to ground-loop, it showed what could be done when you had one lone genius as a designer instead of a committee. I feel privileged to have had the chance to fly a few hundred (non-op) hours in them.
Our kindly Moderators would not have the heart to take these down until everybody has had time to have a good look at them, now would you, Gentlemen ?
I believe you are "dawnunder"; it so happens that we have an old nursing pal of my Mary's from Adelaide visiting with us at the moment, and I have a niece from Melbourne in regular correspondence, enjoying the autumn there, so I have a tenuous connection with the Wide Brown Land, but sadly never seen the place myself. How are the various groups out there, who are trying to scrape bits together to make another complete Vengeance, getting on, btw ?
A grateful Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 4th Jun 2017 at 10:21. Reason: Speling !
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Magic photos. Just magic.
Danny,
I can't comment on the Vengeance at all, but if you wanted an Australian update, the past weekend saw a fairly significant gathering of Bomber Command types at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Several hundred people in all, including 38 veterans - the biggest group of those magnificent men than we've seen in this country in a long while, and likely the last time we'll ever have so many in one place. This was the 10th year this commemoration has been run, so I think an attempt was made to make it 'extra-special'. Veterans were even given travel assistance from the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs if they wanted it.
My favourite was this man, seen here with his daughter: Howard Hendrick DFC, a 460 Sqn pilot. He lives next to the Murray River and had a three-hour drive to Adelaide before he even flew to Canberra. He can talk your ear off, and he still flies a Jabiru once or twice a month, "just to keep up with it." What a character!
Adam
Danny,
I can't comment on the Vengeance at all, but if you wanted an Australian update, the past weekend saw a fairly significant gathering of Bomber Command types at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Several hundred people in all, including 38 veterans - the biggest group of those magnificent men than we've seen in this country in a long while, and likely the last time we'll ever have so many in one place. This was the 10th year this commemoration has been run, so I think an attempt was made to make it 'extra-special'. Veterans were even given travel assistance from the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs if they wanted it.
My favourite was this man, seen here with his daughter: Howard Hendrick DFC, a 460 Sqn pilot. He lives next to the Murray River and had a three-hour drive to Adelaide before he even flew to Canberra. He can talk your ear off, and he still flies a Jabiru once or twice a month, "just to keep up with it." What a character!
Adam
Hi Danny
There was an ad in a recent magazine looking for a partner/investor to help bring two Vengeance projects to flyable condition. One to be sold.
Don't know if they've had any success.
There was an ad in a recent magazine looking for a partner/investor to help bring two Vengeance projects to flyable condition. One to be sold.
Don't know if they've had any success.
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Chugalug (#10787),
..."He need not fear a lynching by the mods"... Hope you're right !
It seems to me that the Griffon Spits, with their longer and more tapered noses, look more elegant than their snub-nosed Merlin cousins. Opinions ?
(if it's got a five blade prop, it's a Griffon engine). Their props go round "widdershins" (why ?), anti-clockwise as seen from the cockpit, so it tends to swing right when you open up: a trap for the unwary.
'''''''''''''
kookabat (#10790),
What a grand old chap is Howard ! Full of the joys of spring, and still flying. Has to be my age or thereabouts. Wish I were one-tenth as sparky ! (for that matter, Prince Philip is my age and still running around fine). ..."He can talk your ear off" ... - I think I could give him a run for his money !
His DFC would be in Bomber Command in UK, on Lancs. Disbanded after the war, 460 Squadron has been reformed in the RAAF in 2010. [Wiki]
Very few of that noble gathering would've even heard of a Vultee Vengeance, for our wars were 6,000 miles apart, and afterwards the VV has been totally forgotten.
As AA says, RESPECT - and then more RESPECT !
''''''''
Cooda Shooda (#10792)
..."There was an ad in a recent magazine looking for a partner/investor to help bring two Vengeance projects to flyable condition. One to be sold. Don't know if they've had any success".
("partner/investor" - forget it !)
If they end up with a Mk.III or Mk.IV plate, then watch it: the things will legally still be US property (Lend-Lease). Better find a Mk.I or Mk.II plate if they can (or make one) !
What I faintly remember about them is on Post here. Just an old pussycat to fly.
Cheers, all three, Danny.
..."He need not fear a lynching by the mods"... Hope you're right !
It seems to me that the Griffon Spits, with their longer and more tapered noses, look more elegant than their snub-nosed Merlin cousins. Opinions ?
(if it's got a five blade prop, it's a Griffon engine). Their props go round "widdershins" (why ?), anti-clockwise as seen from the cockpit, so it tends to swing right when you open up: a trap for the unwary.
'''''''''''''
kookabat (#10790),
What a grand old chap is Howard ! Full of the joys of spring, and still flying. Has to be my age or thereabouts. Wish I were one-tenth as sparky ! (for that matter, Prince Philip is my age and still running around fine). ..."He can talk your ear off" ... - I think I could give him a run for his money !
His DFC would be in Bomber Command in UK, on Lancs. Disbanded after the war, 460 Squadron has been reformed in the RAAF in 2010. [Wiki]
Very few of that noble gathering would've even heard of a Vultee Vengeance, for our wars were 6,000 miles apart, and afterwards the VV has been totally forgotten.
As AA says, RESPECT - and then more RESPECT !
''''''''
Cooda Shooda (#10792)
..."There was an ad in a recent magazine looking for a partner/investor to help bring two Vengeance projects to flyable condition. One to be sold. Don't know if they've had any success".
("partner/investor" - forget it !)
If they end up with a Mk.III or Mk.IV plate, then watch it: the things will legally still be US property (Lend-Lease). Better find a Mk.I or Mk.II plate if they can (or make one) !
What I faintly remember about them is on Post here. Just an old pussycat to fly.
Cheers, all three, Danny.
Their props go round "widdershins" (why ?), anti-clockwise as seen from the cockpit, so it tends to swing right when you open up:
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@ Danny42C ... except that ...
In the Bar at Manby, Plt Off MPN11 engaged with a lively discussion with Gp Capt Norman Hoad [who was doing a refresher Course, IIRC] on the subject of Spitfire propellor blades, and he retired to his room to produce a photo slide. On closer examination, he admitted "Dammit, you're right - have a souvenir!" and gave me the slide [now sadly lost]. 
I think the Griffon Spits are simply gorgeous. That long nacelle adds grace to the overall profile ... and a lot more oomph!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superm...wered_variants)
A similar contra-rotating propeller unit was later used on production Seafire 46 and 47s.
I think the Griffon Spits are simply gorgeous. That long nacelle adds grace to the overall profile ... and a lot more oomph!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superm...wered_variants)
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FED,
Wiki says that some of the first production Tempests were fitted with Griffons but later ones had the Sabre. Did those rotate "the wrong way", too, do you know ?
Never had anything to do with them, the only one I ever saw close to was at Hawarden in 1942. Flown by a very attractive, petite ATA girl in a tight-fitting white flying overall.
Put us in our place, it did, as we went back to our old Mk.I Spitfires on the OTU !
Wiki says that some of the first production Tempests were fitted with Griffons but later ones had the Sabre. Did those rotate "the wrong way", too, do you know ?
Never had anything to do with them, the only one I ever saw close to was at Hawarden in 1942. Flown by a very attractive, petite ATA girl in a tight-fitting white flying overall.
Put us in our place, it did, as we went back to our old Mk.I Spitfires on the OTU !
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MPN11,
(our Posts crossed). Had very few hours on the XIV and XXII, it was a bit intimidating, but the people who got used to the things swore by them. If you fed the power in roughly at slow speed, the engine would try to twist the aircraft round the crankshaft !
(our Posts crossed). Had very few hours on the XIV and XXII, it was a bit intimidating, but the people who got used to the things swore by them. If you fed the power in roughly at slow speed, the engine would try to twist the aircraft round the crankshaft !
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Gorgeous machines, though. You were lucky to get to fly them, even if not in combat. Not that many people have that tick in the box
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MPN-11 (#10795),
"...On closer examination, he admitted "Dammit, you're right - have a souvenir!" and gave me the slide [now sadly lost]..."
I hope he wasn't looking through the slide "back to front" ? No, he wouldn't do a silly thing like that ......... would he ?
"...Plt Off MPN11 engaged with a lively discussion with Gp Capt Norman Hoad [who was doing a refresher Course, IIRC]..."
In 1955, SOs and a few VSOs attended a six month Course in the Empire Flying School at Manby, to bring them up to speed in the new, high speed Air Force. Freed from the responsibility of command, some of these old gentlemen happily reverted to being "one of the boys" and relived their early years. They flew their Canberras, Meteors and (later) a Hunter from Strubby. (At Manby they only flew Lincolns).
After night flying sessions at Strubby, most would down the odd noggin with us in our little Nissen Mess Bar. One one-star was a bit stand-offish and left early. "Old So-and-so's an ex-brat like me", confided a two-star, "but he doesn't like people to know about it !"
Danny.
"...On closer examination, he admitted "Dammit, you're right - have a souvenir!" and gave me the slide [now sadly lost]..."
I hope he wasn't looking through the slide "back to front" ? No, he wouldn't do a silly thing like that ......... would he ?
"...Plt Off MPN11 engaged with a lively discussion with Gp Capt Norman Hoad [who was doing a refresher Course, IIRC]..."
In 1955, SOs and a few VSOs attended a six month Course in the Empire Flying School at Manby, to bring them up to speed in the new, high speed Air Force. Freed from the responsibility of command, some of these old gentlemen happily reverted to being "one of the boys" and relived their early years. They flew their Canberras, Meteors and (later) a Hunter from Strubby. (At Manby they only flew Lincolns).
After night flying sessions at Strubby, most would down the odd noggin with us in our little Nissen Mess Bar. One one-star was a bit stand-offish and left early. "Old So-and-so's an ex-brat like me", confided a two-star, "but he doesn't like people to know about it !"
Danny.
Drooling (come on, own up, I'm sure I'm not the only one!) over the Spitfire pictures posted by megan, I noticed that the two earth and dark green spits in formation have a different pattern to each other. This link talks of an A and a B pattern, but that they were merely mirror images of each other. That is certainly not the case with these two.
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/thread...re-camo.33013/
Any offers? I seem to remember reading that after one colour was applied, standard pattern rubber mats were laid over in order to paint the second colour. This would lend itself to a set pattern, albeit the colours reversed for an A or B pattern.
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/thread...re-camo.33013/
Any offers? I seem to remember reading that after one colour was applied, standard pattern rubber mats were laid over in order to paint the second colour. This would lend itself to a set pattern, albeit the colours reversed for an A or B pattern.
As it says in the link, the two patterns were opposites, not reversed colours.
Imagine a single (seriously unwieldy) mask for the whole aircraft and just flip it over.
Imagine a single (seriously unwieldy) mask for the whole aircraft and just flip it over.