Comments on: Music

By: SpazSinbad

SpazSinbad — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:13:06 +0000

RAN Sea Fury Golden Oldie: http://tiny.cc/lCAPT
“In the slot, on speed and receiving
minimum ‘off-path’ advisory
signals from ‘Bats’, I approached
the deck with gear, flaps and hook
extended. Approaching the round-
down in a continuously banked
turn, I responded to ‘Bats’ signal
to roll wings level, and with head
leaning to port to maintain visual
contact with ‘Bats’, was ready to
execute the anticipated ‘cut’ signal.
As the deck loomed up I glanced
ahead to ensure that the aircraft
was lined up with the centreline, I
was astounded to see ‘Bats’ give me
the ‘wave-off’ signal, compliance
with which was mandatory.
10 knots above the stall, over the
round-down (or so it felt), wheels
adjudged to be some 10 feet above
the deck and descending. I was
immediately very much aware of the
barrier not far ahead or below, and
of the ship’s island just to starboard
of my path.
Ramming the throttle forward
to the stops, all 2,550 horses were
called upon to do their job — and
do it they did — admirably! However,
at such low airspeed, and no doubt
assisted by my instinctive reaction
to apply control forces to get-the-hell
out of there, I encountered the onset
of the dreaded torque stall (when
engine power, or torque, is such that
it overcomes flight control forces,
and tries to roll the aircraft around
the engine). Not good — not good!
The accompanying illustrative
official photographs obtained by
the unknown ship’s photographer,
who must have had a quick trigger
finger, captured the consequences
in dramatic detail. Note the Aircraft
Handler vacating his normal
position, post-haste!”
Geoff Litchfield
1954, 805 Sqdn, HMAS Sydney

By: XBradTC

XBradTC — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:22:36 +0000

OT6F,

The usual carrier approach in a Corsair was a curving approach all the way to touchdown, allowing the aviator to see the LSO through the left side of the windscreen.

By: OldT6Flyer

OldT6Flyer — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:48:27 +0000

Spaz/Virgil:

I can’t imagine landing a Corsair on a carrier. You can’t see anything forward in anything approaching a landing attitude I imagine. The last 50 feet or so must have been point and pray as you sure couldn’t see what you were aiming at.

But then I think landing on a carrier is some sort of death wish playing out in real time.

Nothing but admiration for them that have , do, or will but just thinking about doing it at night can pucker me big time.

By: Tailspin

Tailspin — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:51:28 +0000

http://tinyurl.com/bnomtn

Recent flight in SU SU evoked images of a .45 automatic. No flex, no slop. HARD. LOUD. Purpose built machine with few compromises.

Hours of absorbing first hand accounts of action in WW2:

P-47s at http://tinyurl.com/dnjqep
P-51s at http://tinyurl.com/3cqr65

By: virgil xenophon

virgil xenophon — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:44:09 +0000

XBrad/

A big Broncos fan, eh? I didn’t know you rooted for Denver!

(Couldn’t resist…just…could…not)

By: XBradTC

XBradTC — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:46:30 +0000

Spaz, thanks for the vid.

Dad tried to loop an F4U over B’ham back in the early 50′s.

Normally, not a problem. He tried it at 30,000ft. Cost him about 20,000 altitude.