Recent content by Doodard

Yes they did. They shot down a lot of Junkers 88s in the arctic convoys. Rugged machines. They were there to break up the torpedo runs of the 88's and they did a great job of it.

Hurricanes were more forgiving and when equipped with cannons were deadly. But useless for Arctic service. Wildcats - radial engines and better rate of climb for interceptions made from carriers. Large cockpits and not as responsive.

Royal New Zealand Navy seconded to the Fleet Air Arm of Great Britain

Carrier landing lights too! Might surprise you. But surely the toughest condiitions ever for carrier landings were in the Arctic on the run to Murmansk in December and January february of '44-45. Flying 500 miles north of the arctic circle in wildcats on a carrier 490 feet long and 68 feet wide...