Aircraft on WW2 Era Carriers

[syscom3]

Radial engined aircraft leak oil like they want to mark their spots. So I started wondering on how did the worlds navies handle the inevitable oil leaks on the carriers? On the hanger deck, were oil pans pushed under the engines to catch the drips? What about the flight deck? I dont see how putting pans on the deck would be safe or practical. Did the crew periodically try to clean it up? How safe could it have been for the oil to mix with the sea spray and then have sailors walk/run on it. Or aircraft skidding on it?

 

[EwenS]

Radial engined aircraft leak oil like they want to mark their spots. So I started wondering on how did the worlds navies handle the inevitable oil leaks on the carriers? On the hanger deck, were oil pans pushed under the engines to catch the drips? What about the flight deck? I dont see how putting pans on the deck would be safe or practical. Did the crew periodically try to clean it up? How safe could it have been for the oil to mix with the sea spray and then have sailors walk/run on it. Or aircraft skidding on it?

Drip trays were used. One solution is to put sand in the bottom of them to soak up the oil. But I don't believe the problem was quite a bad as your post would suggest.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Radial engined aircraft leak oil like they want to mark their spots. So I started wondering on how did the worlds navies handle the inevitable oil leaks on the carriers? On the hanger deck, were oil pans pushed under the engines to catch the drips? What about the flight deck? I dont see how putting pans on the deck would be safe or practical. Did the crew periodically try to clean it up? How safe could it have been for the oil to mix with the sea spray and then have sailors walk/run on it. Or aircraft skidding on it?

Not just radials, here's HMS Argus with drip trays under each Sea Hurricane.

 

[Tkdog]

As to what they did about the mess. "Sweepers, sweepers man your… um, mops". The Navy always has plenty of hands for cleaning.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Kitty-litter is your friend.

 

[syscom3]

Kitty-litter is your friend.

But was it available in WW2? And the amount needed on a carrier must have been considerable.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

But was it available in WW2? And the amount needed on a carrier must have been considerable.

I don't know if it was available but you really don't need much for your normal engine drips

 

[ThomasP]

"How Was Cat Litter Invented?"

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

But was it available in WW2? And the amount needed on a carrier must have been considerable.

I didn't realize it was that new -- invented after the war. Thanks.

 

[syscom3]

As to what they did about the mess. "Sweepers, sweepers man your… um, mops". The Navy always has plenty of hands for cleaning.

Sweeping the decks for debris is one thing. Cleaning oil spills is another.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Sweeping the decks for debris is one thing. Cleaning oil spills is another.

How about people smoking on deck with fueled aircraft nearby?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

How about people smoking on deck with fueled aircraft nearby?

View attachment 665592

The old rule of thumb was no smoking within 50' of fueled aircraft. A few of those folks look like Chiefs, so those aircraft wouldn't dare to explode!

 

[Admiral Beez]

As to what they did about the mess. "Sweepers, sweepers man your… um, mops". The Navy always has plenty of hands for cleaning.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Sweeping the decks for debris is one thing. Cleaning oil spills is another.

Again, someone posted a pic upthread with drip-pans under a/c, so this was not an issue so big that they couldn't deal with it. I'm Air Force and not Navy, but I think any vet got it pounded into them that cleanliness was next to godliness. Speaking only from my own experience that shit was drummed into us.

 

[Tkdog]

Again, someone posted a pic upthread with drip-pans under a/c, so this was not an issue so big that they couldn't deal with it. I'm Air Force and not Navy, but I think any vet got it pounded into them that cleanliness was next to godliness. Speaking only from my own experience that shit was drummed into us.

That was my point with the sweepers comment. If there is even a potential something is dirty, someone is assigned to clean it. That someone will come up with methods to insure it either doesn't get dirty to begin with or, worst case, is as easy to clean as possible. Slept wrapped in a blanket atop a made bed more than once. Stupid, yes. Easier than making it from scratch in the morning, also yes.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

That was my point with the sweepers comment. If there is even a potential something is dirty, someone is assigned to clean it. That someone will come up with methods to insure it either doesn't get dirty to begin with or, worst case, is as easy to clean as possible. Slept wrapped in a blanket atop a made bed more than once. Stupid, yes. Easier than making it from scratch in the morning, also yes.

Right, and I've taken part in FOD-walks, too. Brute-force solution to a simple but detailed problem.

 

[SaparotRob]

Right, and I've taken part in FOD-walks, too. Brute-force solution to a simple but detailed problem.

Gotta love the classics.

 

[special ed]

The first WW2 barracks I stayed in as a teen still had the cone shaped galvanized buckets of sand hanging on hooks for fire extinguishers.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Off topic, but did aircraft ever foul their nose or tail wheel on the raised arrestor cables? Ripping a wheel off would put some fluid on the deck.

 

[EwenS]

Off topic, but did aircraft ever foul their nose or tail wheel on the raised arrestor cables? Ripping a wheel off would put some fluid on the deck.

Yes they did or the round down. Not if it was fixed in the first place. For example this Seafire