A
Anonymous
Guest
That is true. I just wasn't aware it had ever actually been done.
F4U F6F P-38 P-47 or P-51 Which plane was best by war's end
- Thread starter Sal Monella
- Start date
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evangilder
"Shooter"
I forgot where I read about it, although I am sure I was reading about the battle of Okinawa at the time. Although I might have been reading it with one of the fighter group histories. It was the quickest way to get the P-47s where they needed them at the time.
evangilder
"Shooter"
Sorry, my bad, it was off of Saipan:
After loading 37 Army P-47 fighters, Manila Bay sailed 5 June for the Marianas. Steaming via Eniwetok, she reached the eastern approaches to Saipan 19 June. During the next 4 days she remained east of the embattled island as ships and planes of the Fast Carrier Task Force repulsed the Japanese Fleet in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and inflicted staggering losses on the enemy, thus crippling the Imperial Navy's air strength permanently.
On 23 June Manila Bay came under enemy air attack during refueling operations east of Saipan. Two fighter bombers attacked her from dead ahead, dropping four bombs which exploded wide to port. Intense antiaircraft fire suppressed further attacks; and, as a precautionary and rather unusual move which Admiral Spruance later characterized as "commendable initiative," Manila Bay launched four of the Army P-47's she was ferrying to fly protective CAP until radar screens were clear of contacts. The Army fighters then flew to Saipan, their intended destination. Manila Bay launched the remaining planes the next day and returned to Eniwetok, arriving 27 June. After embarking 207 wounded troops, she departed 1 July, touched Pearl Harbor the 8th, and reached San Diego 16 July.
http://www.answers.com/topic/uss-manila-bay
After loading 37 Army P-47 fighters, Manila Bay sailed 5 June for the Marianas. Steaming via Eniwetok, she reached the eastern approaches to Saipan 19 June. During the next 4 days she remained east of the embattled island as ships and planes of the Fast Carrier Task Force repulsed the Japanese Fleet in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and inflicted staggering losses on the enemy, thus crippling the Imperial Navy's air strength permanently.
On 23 June Manila Bay came under enemy air attack during refueling operations east of Saipan. Two fighter bombers attacked her from dead ahead, dropping four bombs which exploded wide to port. Intense antiaircraft fire suppressed further attacks; and, as a precautionary and rather unusual move which Admiral Spruance later characterized as "commendable initiative," Manila Bay launched four of the Army P-47's she was ferrying to fly protective CAP until radar screens were clear of contacts. The Army fighters then flew to Saipan, their intended destination. Manila Bay launched the remaining planes the next day and returned to Eniwetok, arriving 27 June. After embarking 207 wounded troops, she departed 1 July, touched Pearl Harbor the 8th, and reached San Diego 16 July.
http://www.answers.com/topic/uss-manila-bay
Nonskimmer
Captain
Interesting. 
wmaxt
Staff Sergeant
I belive all major single engine fighters were transported and flown off carriers in WWII. The P-39s had the most problems doing it.
I feel the P-38L must still be in the mix.
Except for speed 443mph isn't quite 460mph but a match for the Corsair in climb (C.C.Jordan has a AAF test showing 4.91min to 20,000ft and W.Brodie has released test results of about 5.0min 20,000ft) and maneuvering was very close if not as good. Load, range and acceleration were better in the P-38L as was high altitude performance.
The P-38 out climed, out ranged and carried more than the P-47 and was as nimble.
The P-38L exceled at both tasks, any altitude escort and low level attack/ground support. With the P-38 air to air combat at any altitude was possible on a compettitive basis.
Good arguments that it was the best AND most versatile!
wmaxt
I feel the P-38L must still be in the mix.
Except for speed 443mph isn't quite 460mph but a match for the Corsair in climb (C.C.Jordan has a AAF test showing 4.91min to 20,000ft and W.Brodie has released test results of about 5.0min 20,000ft) and maneuvering was very close if not as good. Load, range and acceleration were better in the P-38L as was high altitude performance.
The P-38 out climed, out ranged and carried more than the P-47 and was as nimble.
The P-38L exceled at both tasks, any altitude escort and low level attack/ground support. With the P-38 air to air combat at any altitude was possible on a compettitive basis.
Good arguments that it was the best AND most versatile!
wmaxt
A
Anonymous
Guest
I've never seen P-38 climb times like that for a combat configured aircraft. The best time I've seen is 5.9 minutes to 20K for a P-38j pulling 60" hg. of manifold pressure.
I don't think it is fair to compare a non-combat configured P-38 incarnation with a combat configured F4U-4.
On the other hand, the P-38j was in action over a year earlier than the F4U-4.
=S=
Lunatic
I don't think it is fair to compare a non-combat configured P-38 incarnation with a combat configured F4U-4.
On the other hand, the P-38j was in action over a year earlier than the F4U-4.
=S=
Lunatic
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
gut the corsair was an exeptional groud attack aircraft was well as the P-38, and i believe could go further on internal fuel, you take the drop tanks off a P-38 and you're going nowhere...........
The Jug Rules!
Airman 1st Class
I'd have to say the P-47n and the -4 Corsair
mosquitoman
Master Sergeant
That avatar's a bit big Jug
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
just a touch.........
Nonskimmer
Captain
Definitely an attention getter. 
cheddar cheese
Major General
YEah. Could you shrink it please?
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
although there has been bigger........
mosquitoman
Master Sergeant
Has there?
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
yes we've had a phull size photo once, although only for a few minutes.........
evangilder
"Shooter"
Please shrink that avatar. It really screws up the rest of the postings.
cheddar cheese
Major General
If deleted it for now. HE can adjust when he next comes on 8)
evangilder
"Shooter"
Thanks. Didn't there used to be a limit on the size of 100x100 pixels?
cheddar cheese
Major General
I thought there was. Indeed it sill says thats the limit. Perhaps theres some sort of error in the coding.
wmaxt
Staff Sergeant
RG_Lunatic said:
Those times are supposed to be Half fuel, amo ballast and guns. The graph in Planes and Pilots of WWII shows a clean (no drop tanks) climb time of just a bit over 5min to 20,000ft in WEP, 1,725hp, and a little over 7min to 20,000 in normal power, 1,100hp. this is a graph and a little intrepratation is required. A normal climb of 11min to 25,000ft @ 19,400lbs is shown in the flight manual for both J and L models.
As to range full internal fuel the P-38L is rated to 1,200mi @ 285mph, 30,000ft with a 50 gal reserve. Source P-38L flight manual. I belive that's a little more than the F4U-4 on internal fuel.
My bottom line is that these three aircraft could each be the best depending on the mission and or the Pilot. They all have advantages the others don't in certain flight regimes. The P-38L is perhaps the most versatile but that can hurt it at times too.
Wmaxt
