Most Beautiful Aircraft of WW2?

[Donivanp]

That's a TO-1.

Not arguing but how did you come by this conclusion? Looks like AF and doesn't say NAVY. Just asking. Could be tail could I guess. In the end they all became F-80's

 

[GregP]

Interesting photo of the P-80.

I have all 1,731 serial P-80A/B and tail numbers for A/B and none end in 905!

There is a P-80C with a 905 S/N, but I don't have the tail numbers. I'll guess a P-80C-1-LO.

Makes me curious, it does.

 

[GrauGeist]

The tail code "WJ" indicates it's Navy.

"WJ" was JTU-1, an interim jet training unit circa 1948, based out of NAS Whiting Field, Florida.

 

[Barrett]

Nominations end with this quote from a late friend of the Hellcat persuasion:
"That PBY was THE most beautiful airplane I ever saw."
You may imagine the circumstances that generated such heartfelt admiration.

 

[GrauGeist]

Yep.

See this post further up in this thread:

Most Beautiful Aircraft of WW2?

Then the OS2U was a beauty as well. Especially this Kingfisher just outside of Truk Lagoon, May 1944.

ww2aircraft.net

 

[at6]

een there. My wife finally agreed to fly to Roswell NM to my 40th reunion. In 2021. Did not make it to the 10th due to Desert Storm, 20th because of 9/11, 30th because of a kay off. The week before, we got Covid. Looking forward to the 50th.

If the "Sky Typers" are using that engine in their T-6s, I agree. Every so often they fly over on the way to the beach. It's a wonderful concert.

All T-6s use that engine and I nearly have a male orgasm when I hear one or more together.

 

[FrL]

That's a TO-1.

Yes, exactly !

 

[GTX]

Hard to beat:

 

[Elvis]

I remember standing next to a PBY parked on the side of the runway of a local airport when I was 10 years old.
The tires were as tall as I was!
Still one of the most impressive things I've ever stood under.

Did anyone ever mention?....

...and in case I failed to mention my favourite observatoini/liason aircraft...

...of course, its my sig, so maybe I mention it every time I post something?

 

[ThomasP]

This one gets my vote - very brief service though (only 2 days?)

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

This one gets my vote - very brief service though (only 2 days?)View attachment 758678

They even managed to get some great shots from when they splashed a couple of Zeros. Salute to these brave US Navy pilots!

 

[Donivanp]

It's an insult to degrade a Texan to a Zero!

 

[SaparotRob]

I'm good with more A6Ms being built.

 

[ThomasP]

I wonder if there are any NK1C Sakae 12 engines available for rebuild?

 

[Donivanp]

Like the Me262's. A6M's but to convert AT-6's to look like Japanese warbirds, not so much.

 

[Donivanp]

I wonder if there are any NK1C Sakae 12 engines available for rebuild?

Bottom of the ocean?

 

[Elvis]

This one gets my vote - very brief service though (only 2 days?)

I just saw that movie the other day.
Were you one of the sailors?

 

[The Stannum Liberator]

The J22 was made (partially) of wood. I don't believe any armour was attached.

Yes, it had a welded steel tube fuselage with plywood panels. On the topic of fuel tanks, they were manufactured by AB Platindustri, don't know if it is self sealing or not. And it DID in fact have armor. On page 202 of Mikael Forslund's Swedish Fighter Colours it states: "The armour plating behind the pilot's seat was deemed too narrow," this was during operational trials in 1943 by the way. They also added after, the report this is referring to, a 60mm armored front screen. So the J22 was armored.

 

[The Stannum Liberator]

It appears that the J22 was never equipped with either feature.

I just commented on Elvis's post, but to say it quickly, they had armor on the pilots seat and cockpit.

 

[The Stannum Liberator]

Did the J22 have self sealing fuel tanks and armor?

Explained this to elvis, but J22 had a plate on the seat, and cockpit stuff, (see above )