Recent content by drgondog

The fighter pilot that breaks away first is at a disadvantage, not only in giving away a 'larger' target at low deflection, but also possibly tactical neutrality.

Hi Daniel - good presentation and general comments. I also agree your closing remarks about Greg. He IS a good guy, but I agree that he ingested some theories from Telenko and Stephenson/Sprey that were astonishly dis-engaged from the historical record. I sent him Study 136 and the A2069 Reel...

If by 'they' you are referring to the 348th FG, the October 22 mission to Wewak was FLOWN FROM TSILI. The 200-gal tank was not magic. Check Stanaway pg 62. Check the AAF Study 116 5th AF Huon Gulf Campaign. Do your own research. On October 22, 1943 staging at Tsili and flying target escort for...

You're calculations are based on Port Moresby to Wewak, when the mission was from Port Moresby to Tsili then to Wewak for the October 11 and 22 and 23 missions to Wewak.. For Oct 11, they took off from Port Moresby at 0800, refueled at Tsili at 0845 and left for Wewak at 0900. They reached...

Every RAF request. He later stated (source USAF Study 136) that he was unaware of the importance relative to providing escort for 8th AF.

yes Sir Wilfred Freeman. 81 yr old brain fart

did you not read my comments? Greg Mis-stated the October 11 1943 mission to Wewak for the Medal of Honor mission flown by Neal Kearby. He flew from Port Moresby to Tsili, refueled, went to Wewak (~310mi) climbed to 28,000 feet (according to the citation), attacked the Japanese interceptors...

A couple of points as I don't have much time now: 1. Only Republic had a proprietary drop tank attach scheme through the P-47D-4, two sets 29" apart on each skid plate. ALL US bombs, chem stores, frag cluster, drop tanks produced in US were AN-B-7 and AN-B-10 racks for 1,100 and 2,200 pound...

The B-26 was a fine airplane but it had several characteristics that made it a more demanding aircraft to fly than a B-25 (or A-26 or A-20). Simply stated, the B-26 had significantly higher wing loading which translated to a.) higher stall speed requiring higher approach and landing speed, b.)...

Absent strategic bombing, and specifically the Combined Bomber Offensive, several things would seem true: The Soviets would only accept an Invasion of France as a commitment to a second front. An invasion of France conceptually would fail absent Allied control of the air. Look to Anzio and...

The British were receiving pre-Dec 7 commitments by FDR, In May 1942 Arnold and Tower were on their to GB to re-negotiate the agreed allocations, things were 'tense' in Middle East. Bolero and defense of Hawaii and US west coast were number 1 in summer 1842 even after Battle of Midway, Training...

No, the personal story was not that compelling, but it seemed to be the focus rather than a focus on the 8th AF story - I am in complete agreement with respect to the facts, or lack of them. As to the escort theory, it was sad that the 332nd had to be forced into the 8th AF story when they...

I kept expecting the production to demonstrate strong historical knowledge and fact and was disappointed in the number of errors. The personal story if taken without context was fine.

Good summary. Would add that originally, it was estimated that the number of escort fighter groups should equal the bomber strike force Groups. Also not mentioned by many is the RAF was actually fighting the LW during August 17 penetration, namely LuftFlotte 3. It is also lost on many...

The reason that F-4/F-5 deliveries were 'down' after September 1943 is that Arnold ordered Recon versions of the P-38J and P-51B suspended until further ordered. The issue was the upcoming ARGUEMENT campaign and forecast needs for escort fighters. Both Eaker and Spaatz were 'optimistic' in...