Absolutely stunning work!!! I was amazed at the detail, and especially the lighting. You really have a great eye for framing your work too…. absolutely top class!

Well done! Richard

Interesting opinions on the Buffalo. I think that you will find that tactics had a lot to do with the different results experienced by the Finns vs. US and RAF Buffaloes. The US Buffaloes only saw one major combat against the Japanese before they were withdrawn from the front line, and that was the pasting they suffered at Midway. Most of the pilots, IIRC, were inexperienced, and tried to fight the Japanese in a traditional turning dog-fight. The zero could out-turn anything the allies had at the time, so it was no wonder they lost so heavily. The RAF experiences were not dissimilar. Another big problem was that the US was using the F2A-3, which was a lot heavier than the -1 versions the Finns used… more armour plate, self-sealing fuel tanks, and didn’t have room for a more powerful engine. This would have further reduced its already difficult turning ability vs. a zero.

The Finns had to deal with the Russians, who were flying Hurricanes, MiGs and Yaks… which were excellent aircraft, but more evenly matched in terms of dogfighting with a Buffalo. The Finnish pilots also had a lot more to fight for… they were defending their very homes and families, whereas the Russians were just invading under orders. Also, from what I understand of Stalin’s purges, the Russians killed off a lot of their own officer class before the war, which might account for less able leadership, at least early on. This must surely have impaired the Russians training and tactics.

A 26-1 kill ratio is too high a number to be ignored (the next highest is 19-1 for the Hellcat). The Buffalo was clearly an excellent fighting platform when properly employed, and despite its shortcomings, it was a much better aircraft than the history books mostly seem to have treated it as.

Cheers,
Richard

Actually, the corsair in the first picture is an F4U-4, not an FG… note large cowl flaps, chin scoop, and upper access panels. Not sure which Bu.No. though.

Cheers,
Richard

The F4U corsair has asbestos sandwiched in between the aluminum skin and stainless steel exterior plating on the engine cowlings directly in the vicinity of the exhaust pipes. I have always wondered how and what this was replaced with on flying examples… anyone have the story on what the modern replacement is for WWII era warbirds?

Richard

Dave… do I take it from your post that the OFMC corsair has been sold? I must have missed something over the last week (too much football I guess!) and didn’t hear about that. Who was the corsair sold to, and when?

Cheers,
Richard

Hi Dave and OFMC Fan… Thanks very much for your posts!

With regards to the pilot’s hands being severed, the record I have merely states that “…the canopy not locked back (sic) and slammed shut on Flt?Sgt J.W.Wright’s arms causing injuries, aircraft w/o.”. From this, it is not conclusive that his hands were severed, so it is possible it might be another aircraft. I’ve been through all of the RNZAF corsair records though, and couldn’t find another with similar details… though I may have missed one, and I guess it is possible that it could have been a US corsair. I am interested that so many US corsairs came to NZ, considering how far away from combat it was, although, maybe I have just answered my own question there! Does anyone know more about US corsairs in NZ?

With respect to Ross Jowitt’s corsairs, well, he had a website up several years ago trying to sell the project. It was offered at $160k, with no takers. A couple of years later, I saw it listed on Barnstormers for $170k, but then nothing… and no news in the press either. I found the lack of notice in the press surprising, especially considering the rear fuselage being from a birdcage aircraft… the pictures on the site clearly showed it. I had heard from someone else that the rear fuselage was from a USMC aircraft that had been recovered from New Guinea many years ago (and that the original pilot had seen it in NZ and signed his name on the fuselage). Perhaps the reticence over purchasing the project was due to concerns from potential American buyers about interference from the US Navy over ownership? Anyway, it’s an interesting story, and I’d love to hear views from other people.

Cheers,
Richard

WWII Corsair incident at Ardmore, NZ

Dave… those are fascinating stories. Incidentally, I think that it’s probable that the corsair accident which removed the hands of the pilot when the canopy crashed shut was that of NZ5514, piloted by Flight Sargeant J.W. Wright (26 Squadron, Ardmore). My records state that the aircraft swung off the runway during landing, and overturned. This happened on 3 June 1945, and the aircraft was written off, although the pilot seems to have survived thankfully. As it turns out, I have an ammo. box from this aircraft… which is a bit of a quirk of fate when you think about it!

Cheers,
Richard