Thursday, February 8, 2018

The 'Black Sheep' of the Pacific War in color: Legendary fighter squadron who shot down 203 Japanese planes in WW2 are brought to life in colorized photos

Via David

The Black Sheep squadron initially fought for 84 days and achieved a record of 203 Japanese planes destroyed or damaged, produced nine fighter aces with 97 confirmed air-to-air kills. They also  sank several troop transports and supply ships.

Fascinating pictures of America's famous WW2 Black Sheep Squadron whose efforts helped win the war in the Pacific have been released in vibrant color.

The series shows the squadron's commanding officer, Colonel Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington who received the Medal of Honour and the Navy Cross, briefing his men on strategy and tactics before the 17 October 1943 attack on Kahili airdrome at Bougainville island, Papua New Guinea. 

In this raid 'Pappy' and 24 fighters circled the field where 60 enemy aircraft were based to goad them into sending a large force. In the ensuing air battle, 20 enemy aircraft were shot down and the Black Sheep (VMF-214) squadron suffered no losses. 

More @ Daily Mail
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2018 at 6:42 AM

    The F4U-1 in the photo was never a carrier qualified aircraft. The F4U-4 of Korea(and the TV show) was a different aircraft with a similar wing and airframe. The later models all being ground attack aircraft used in the same roll as the Vietnam war SPAD's. By 1943 the early 1930's designed A6M was obsolete and had almost no chance at defeating any model of the F4U. The F4U-1 and -2 were 175 and 250 MPH faster than EVERY version of the "Zero".(air speed 280 to 320 MPH MAX) The F4U-1(450 MPH. higher in a dive) could out clime. Out dive. Out turn, and out gun every "Zero". They were actually faster than the F6F-1 "hellcat". There big drawback was that they were a blue bitch to land on an "Essex" class carrier. They didn't get to the fleet until late '44. But by then there was almost no Japanese air force left, and the Navy really didn't need another air superiority fighter. They needed a replacement for the highly defective SB2C "widow makers". So all the late production airframes became bomb trucks.--Ray P.S. The "Zero" had a 1200 to 1800 BHP engine. The F4U had a 2000 to 2500 BHP engine. The F4U had six M-2 .50cal. The A6M had two 20MM and two .30 cal. and 800 rounds--total. Only 126 per 20MM. The zero was a relic of the 1930's and didn't have a chance after early 1943. The rest was wartime propaganda.---Ray

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