DARK BLUE
Flight Journal|November - December 2022
Royal Navy Corsairs-the first to fly from carriers BY CLIVE ROWLEY, MBE RAF (RET.)`
DARK BLUE

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 wickedlooking 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 Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm consisted of 20 Naval Air Squadrons with just 232 aircraft. In the early part of the war, the Royal Navy's fighter aircraft requirements were met by cumbersome two-seat designs, such as the Blackburn Skua and the Fairey Fulmar, on the assumption that the only opposition they would meet would be long-range bombers or flying boats. When actual operations, particularly in the Mediterranean, proved this to be a false assumption, the Royal Navy hurriedly adopted higher performance, single-seat fighter aircraft, such as the Hawker Sea Hurricane and the rather fragile Supermarine Seafire, both modified, hooked versions of RAF land-based fighters. However, neither of these types had sufficient range to operate at any great distance from a carrier task force.

During the early war years, the Royal Navy RN) acquired some batches of American aircraft built for other countries, such as France, Belgium and Greece, which did not reach their intended buyers due to the German advances in Europe. Most notably, the Grumman F4F Wildcat, initially known as the Martlet"” by the RN, entered Fleet Air Arm FAA) service this way, and on December 25, 1940, a Martlet from 840 Naval Air Squadron NAS) was the first U.S. fighter in British service to shoot downa German aircraft.

Denne historien er fra November - December 2022-utgaven av Flight Journal.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November - December 2022-utgaven av Flight Journal.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA FLIGHT JOURNALSe alt
Keeping 'em Flying!- The new generation of warbird pilots, restorers and mechanics
Flight Journal

Keeping 'em Flying!- The new generation of warbird pilots, restorers and mechanics

The new generation of warbird pilots, restorers and mechanics. Nearly 80 years after the end of World War II, the fighters, bombers, and trainers that defended freedom continue to enthrall and inspire audiences at airshows, thanks to generations of warbird pilots, maintainers, restoration specialists and collectors. In our September, 2022 issue we introduced you to the young warbird pilots, maintainers and restorers who are already beginning to displace more "experienced" warbird fliers and fixers.

time-read
10+ mins  |
July - August 2024
The Corsair Maker- Bringing the Vought Corsair to the fleet was a daunting challenge that spanned nearly three years.
Flight Journal

The Corsair Maker- Bringing the Vought Corsair to the fleet was a daunting challenge that spanned nearly three years.

When the first production Corsairs exited the Stratford factory in June 1942, Guyton, as seen here, was tapped to manage the flight and production test program. Armament was improved to six wing-mounted .50s, displacing the wing fuel tanks now placed forward of the cockpit which necessarily was moved rearward by 32 inches. Overall length was increased, armor plate added, landing, arresting and tail gear improved, aileron control enhanced, and a new version of the R2800 engine was incorporated. But those significant improvements unearthed numerous idiosyncrasies that would take an extended period to make the Corsair acceptable for carrier operations

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
STARFIRES Over Korea
Flight Journal

STARFIRES Over Korea

F-94 pilots tangle with MiGs

time-read
10 mins  |
July - August 2024
Training Mission
Flight Journal

Training Mission

BY THE TIME THIS TRAINING SCENE WAS RECORDED in Canne, Italy, in July 1944, Allied Yugoslavian airmen had several years of experience working side by side with the RAF.

time-read
2 mins  |
July - August 2024
KC-46A PEGASUS
Flight Journal

KC-46A PEGASUS

Next generation aerial refueler

time-read
10+ mins  |
July - August 2024
"SATAN'S ANGELS" ACE - Tales from a P-38 pilot in the South Pacific
Flight Journal

"SATAN'S ANGELS" ACE - Tales from a P-38 pilot in the South Pacific

\"AS A KID GROWING UP on the bow of my father's tugboat, hauling oil from Seattle to Alaska, I had a lot of time on my hands.

time-read
10+ mins  |
July - August 2024
WACO YKC - Stunning and Ultra Rare Golden Age Cabin Flier
Flight Journal

WACO YKC - Stunning and Ultra Rare Golden Age Cabin Flier

BETWEEN THE IMPLEMENTATION of the Air Commerce Act of 1926 and December 31, 1948, all U.S. registered flying machines sported an N-number, much as they do today, the \"N\" being an internationally recognized identifier for the United States. During that period, however, an additional letter-identifier followed the \"N.\" Depending on their category, they were registered in the NC (Commercial), NG (Glider), NL (Limited), NR (Restricted, usually meaning race airplanes), NS (State government), and, finally, NX (experimental).

time-read
2 mins  |
July - August 2024
BADER'S HURRICANES
Flight Journal

BADER'S HURRICANES

Double amputee fighter ace Douglas Bader and his Battle of Britain Hurricanes

time-read
10+ mins  |
July - August 2024
Scourge of the Allied Fighters
Flight Journal

Scourge of the Allied Fighters

IT HAD TO BE THE MOST HELPLESS FEELING in the world: you're at 25,000 feet over Europe knowing that your primary function is to drop bombs-or flying escort for the bombers while being a slow-moving target for some of the world's finest shooters. However, you have John Browning's marvelous .50 caliber invention to give some degree of protection. Unfortunately, you're absolutely helpless against flak. Piloting and gunnery skills play no role in a game where sheer chance makes life and death decisions. For that reason, the Krupp 88 mm Flak 18/36/37 AA cannon could be considered WW II's ultimate stealth fighter. You never saw it coming.

time-read
3 mins  |
November - December 2023
ZERO MYTH, MYSTERY, AND FACT
Flight Journal

ZERO MYTH, MYSTERY, AND FACT

A test pilot compares the A6M5 Zero to U.S. fighters

time-read
10+ mins  |
November - December 2023