RE: phred’s comment

From what I’ve raed about the Bulge it was Typhoons that save the day! As they did on many occasions, usually because they were within a few miles of the Front. Having read several reports on these actions, the US infantry could not speak highly enough of the RAF Typhoons coming to the rescue, when they were facing German Panzers, coming towards them. Nothing more demoralising for the German force- Typhoons coming out of the sky, firing rockets at them!
As for other aircraft action around D-Day, the Mosquito was probably one most active aircraft types, more so than the Lightening!
Neilly

RE: phred’s comment

A case of compromise on the fuel load to gain extra bomb load. Any aircraft in this sort of catagory could claim the same extra bomb load if there wasn’t so much go-go juice in the fuel tanks! 450 miles ain’t much of a range, the tanks would be almost empty. No room for error!
Neilly

RE: Best American Fighter?

Just been reading up on the Corsair, a couple of interesting facts. During flight tests the US Navy rejected the Corsair, because it had poor landing characteristics, it had poor vision & a nasty bouncing problem on touch down. However, the Royal Navy were despartate for a modern front line fighter so accepted the Corsair. Because the Royal Navy aircraft carriers were smaller the Corsair had to have the wings shorten, the main oleos were redesigned, curing the bad landing performance. The Fleet Air Arm were operating the Corsair (with great success) 8 months before the US Navy started carrier operations with the F-4. The rest, as they say, is history!
Now I’ve done a bit of research, on this aeroplane, I’ve changed my mind. It certainly was a superb fighter.

Neilly

RE: phred’s comment

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-12-01 AT 04:39 PM (GMT)]I seem to recall seeing a picture of rocket projctiles under the wing of a P-38. They were mounted in a sort of ‘pirimid’ fashion on a pylon. Certainly adds a sting!!!
One of the big advantages of the P-38 doing escort duties, for the US day bombers, was it’s plan form. With it’s destinctive tail-booms, less chance of getting shot at, by trigger happy air gunners!!!
I agree the P-38 should get better recognition, but like a lot of aeroplanes of WW2, they sometimes get overshadowed (rightly or wrongly?) by others which hit the headlines.

Neilly

RE: phred’s comment

Nice one Fred, a man after my own heart. Can’t beat a good discussion. Sounds like the P-38 has the same effect on you that the Mosquito does on me!
I did look up the bomb load, before I fired up the computer, & it’s supposed to be 2,200lbs. So it had a fair bomb capacity.
All the best,
Neilly

RE: phred’s comment

Now that is interesting! I would like to see a P-38 get off the ground with 4,000lbs of bombs under it. I would love to know where they would be mounted, because as far as I know the P-38 had no bomb-bay, unless someone knows different.

Neilly

RE: Picture of the day 06/12/01

How cares wether it’s true or not- a nice little anecdote.
neilly