Obviously, a taxiing, not a landing accident ... the second guy likely lost brakes, or too much throttle, or tired pilot after 6 hour hop, or slippery deck and ship maneuver, etc., and looped stopping while other was parking. I've seen them all.
Note the prop gouges in the wood deck, and the tiedown strips between planking, braided hemp tie lines (NOT ropes per BJM!), large support loiter tank still attached after mission, and how risky it was to flight deck handlers,
all needed! Though there's signs in the ready rooms:
"Beware of Post-Trap Relief ... the flight's not over until the chocks and tie-downs are on, the Master is off, and the debrief drink is in your mitt!"
The opposing triangle fin/wing markings designated Air Group 83. AVG-83 replaced AVG-4 on Essex in '45. The air group comprised four squadrons, VT-83 (TBM-3's), VB-83 (SB2C-4's), VF-83 (F6F-5's), and VBF-83 (F4U1-D's) for last gasp of Japan. During this time AVG-83 had the distinction of leading the Task Force in enemy aircraft shot down with a remarkable score of 182 confirmed kills (VF-83 with 122 & VBF-83 with 60). In addition, both VT and VB-83 played a key part in the attack and sinking of the Japanese battleship Yamato. The F4Us were usually given ground support roles due to need with less air threat and heavy troop help needed, and their ordnance superiority.
I Carqualled off the
Essex (and the
Lex) in the Gulf in the '60s after SBC27 angle mod, and also three traps on the still axial
Lake Champlain, flew constant two 9-hour ASW AD-5 missions a day for 2 weeks off the
Wasp during our Cuban fracas, (screw you, Rep. Jayapal,
especially representing a US Naval District!), and had done a SoPac tour with VS-33/VS-38 off
Bennington just prior.
Thirty-two
Essex-class ships were ordered, twenty-four commissioned, and the
Lex served until '91. Our last major "wooden ship!" Be sure to visit one of the many museum ships.
