|
Post by andym on Feb 7, 2021 16:33:29 GMT
The entry for Blenheim IV L8850 just says "787 Sqn Yeovilton/Duxford 7.41". It was of course returned to the RAF, eventually being lost with 13 OTU on 27 Apr 43, as per the RAF serials book.
|
|
|
Post by Stig Jarlevik on Feb 7, 2021 19:45:24 GMT
May I also ask when the updated version of this book will be published?
Cheers Stig
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 7, 2021 22:19:47 GMT
It is being worked on, but at the moment there is no specific time for publishing. There is a complete review of all entries and of course that takes time.
Steve M
|
|
|
Post by Stig Jarlevik on Feb 8, 2021 0:05:58 GMT
Sounds good enough for me Steve Thanks for the update
Cheers Stig
|
|
|
Post by andym on Feb 14, 2021 19:13:20 GMT
One other Blenheim comment. The book says: Z6282 Machrihanish to Maydown 24.6.44 (772 Sqn pilot) I was under the impression that Z6282 was lost with 84 Sqn in the far east, and was destroyed on 7 Feb 42 in an air-raid on Sumatra. Can anyone confirm this please? I have not been able to get hold of a copy of the W1000-Z9999 book.
|
|
|
Post by Stig Jarlevik on Feb 14, 2021 19:40:01 GMT
Andy
Not sure that book will solve your problem. The one I have from 1984 (actually X1000 - Z9999) just states Far East.
But, if any consolation, so does Graham Warner in his 'The Bristol Blenheim - A complete history' (07-02-1942 V6133, Z6282, Z7799, Z7886 84Sq burned out on air raid P.I. airfield, Sumatra)
No idea about the source of what is in our FAA book 1939-45, but from what it says, it may come from
a diary or flight log and at least at present face value I would put 'my money' on your horse....
Cheers Stig
|
|
twocee
Junior Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by twocee on Jul 3, 2022 19:35:43 GMT
On page 238 of the book it states that the BuNos of the lend-lease General Motors FM-1s are not known. The first 90 aircraft, JV325 to 414, did not have US Navy serial numbers but those of the remainder, JV415 to 636, were as follows (all were accepted between July and October 1943):
15402-425, 470-479, 520-539, 570-579, 630-649, 680-699, 730-744, 775-804, 825-854, 870-889, 894-916 George Kernahan
|
|
|
Post by Stig Jarlevik on Jul 3, 2022 19:48:30 GMT
Thanks for that George
Very interesting update!
Cheers Stig
|
|
twocee
Junior Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by twocee on Jul 4, 2022 19:05:50 GMT
A few Wildcat V accidents:
1) JV376: Hatston, 29 October 1943, landing gear not properly locked down, collapsed on landing, minor damage; pilot Lt(jg) L.H. Launder, VF-4, ashore from USS Ranger.
2) 15682/JV501: Ferry Linden to Trenton NJ, 19 September 1943, engine failed, forced landing Newtown PA, major damage; pilot AP1c A.W. Jones.
3) 15906/JV626: Ferry ex-New York, 27 November 1943, groundlooped on landing Lynchburg VA, left landing gear collapsed; pilot Lt(jg) Reid.
|
|
twocee
Junior Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by twocee on Jul 6, 2022 18:47:19 GMT
Details of the General Motors FM-2/Wildcat VIs begin on page 245. The Fleet Air Arm received 340 of these, in small batches of 20 or 25, the aircraft being accepted between January 1944 and April 1945. Their US Navy serial numbers were as follows:
16447-471, 722-746
47043-067, 368-392
55305-324
56759-778
57079-083
73499-513, 814-833
74134-153, 254-273, 374-393, 594-618, 719-743, 844-868
74994-75018
|
|
twocee
Junior Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by twocee on Jul 7, 2022 18:55:53 GMT
Comments on a few F4F accidents:
1) On page 224, BuNo 3865 is shown as having been lost on 19 July 1942. This was not an FAA loss as both pilot and unit involved were USN. It might be better to insert "Retd USN by 19.7.42".
2) On page 232, FN128 is shown as having force landed in Canada. This is incorrect. The engine failure occurred on a ferry flight from Norfolk to New York and the aircraft ditched just north of Little Creek Inlet VA.
3) On page 234, the reference to VC30 in the accident details for FN220 should be deleted. The aircraft was assigned to 882 Sqdn, ashore at Norfolk from Victorious. Hutchinson was attempting a landing on the CVE Charger but he neglected to retard the throttle on final approach and the aircraft floated over the wires. His hook caught the top barrier cables and was wrenched out. The Wildcat then struck the forward corner of the flight deck and bounced overboard.
4) Also on page 234, the details for FN193 are a real puzzle. Per RCS, the aircraft was assigned to 890 Sqdn at Hatston/Macrihanish in March 1943. In a 17 March 1943 US Navy accident summary S/L E.C. Pike is named as having crashed the aircraft (from VC13), on take-off from NAS San Diego, damaging two Corsairs of VF12. Clearly FN193 cannot have been in both locations at the same time. Of interest is that the identity of the aircraft in the report is given as '2899', which is not an F4F BuNo, but is the Grumman msn of FN193. One possibility is that there were two accidents on the same day at the two different locations, one involving FN193 in Scotland, the other, an unidentified VC13 F4F at San Diego, and the reports have somehow become merged?
|
|
|
Post by andym on Jul 8, 2022 9:37:24 GMT
George, All good stuff. It is nice to see people taking the trouble to update our publications. Andy
|
|
twocee
Junior Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by twocee on Jul 8, 2022 15:08:31 GMT
Andy,
Well, I thought it was about time that I came up with additions and corrections to those areas of the book for which I was responsible. After all, it closed for press as far back as June 1995!
George
|
|
|
Post by mmandpgm on Jul 8, 2022 16:02:28 GMT
George To make the story even more confusing, this web site accident-report.com/USN/aircraft.htmlhas the following 430317 R NAVY F4F-4 FN193 EAST FIELD VA Since this is a list of accidents handled by the U S Navy, I think you should rule out Macrihanish. No evidence of a VC-13 accident on this date but it is obvious the web site is far from complete. Matt Miller
|
|
twocee
Junior Member
Posts: 25
|
Post by twocee on Jul 8, 2022 18:12:05 GMT
Matt,
The accident report gives the location as "East Field North Island" (not East Field VA), which is indeed confusing as East Field was part of NAS Norfolk. However the narrative clearly describes events at North Island, where VF12 and its Corsairs were then based. I have found a VC-13 F4F-4 loss with a date of 7-13-43. Transposing the 3 and 7 would give 3-17-43, indicating that it may be the aircraft involved.
|
|