Performance modifications done at Squadron level.

[yulzari]

However, long range communications was usually by Morse (and in code), even in the 1980s we sent messages in Morse, although my signaller was using coded burst messages on the '319' which could be sent around the world, although he was keen on using a large length of copper wire thrown over a tree branch because he "got a much better signal" than the issue antenna!

Mike

A proper 'scaley' then. My signallers were always seeking to add more copper wire and find taller trees back in the 1980s.

 

[Buz101]

A proper 'scaley' then. My signallers were always seeking to add more copper wire and find taller trees back in the 1980s.

At certain times, I was sure my SIGS were part monkey, part Witch doctor and part pack mule.

Buz

 

[Reluctant Poster]

I posted on the sorry state of US aircraft radios previously:

"Actually the British made better radios than the Americans at least as far as aircraft were concerned. I was flabbergasted to discover that the USN was using still using obsolete HF radios at Midway when the RAF had started using the far superior VHF radios 2 years before. USAAF aircraft were arriving in Europe in 1942 with obsolete HF set which were replaced by British built VHF radios. The US VHF radio that they belatedly produced was a failure and the US pragmatically decided to produce the British radio. They did improve it by making it smaller.
The sordid story of US aircraft radios is presented here:
US Army TS Signals 2 The Test: Chapter 8: Signal Equipment: Wire and Radio (June–October 1942)
Scroll down to the heading "Signal Corps Provides VHF Command Radio for Army Airplanes""

 

[SaparotRob]

At least our radios didn't leak oil.

Gotta' go!

 

[Reluctant Poster]

I posted on the sorry state of US aircraft radios previously:

"Actually the British made better radios than the Americans at least as far as aircraft were concerned. I was flabbergasted to discover that the USN was using still using obsolete HF radios at Midway when the RAF had started using the far superior VHF radios 2 years before. USAAF aircraft were arriving in Europe in 1942 with obsolete HF set which were replaced by British built VHF radios. The US VHF radio that they belatedly produced was a failure and the US pragmatically decided to produce the British radio. They did improve it by making it smaller.
The sordid story of US aircraft radios is presented here:
US Army TS Signals 2 The Test: Chapter 8: Signal Equipment: Wire and Radio (June–October 1942)
Scroll down to the heading "Signal Corps Provides VHF Command Radio for Army Airplanes""

That link is dead. I was able to find a copy on the Internet Archive.

https://dn790009.ca.archive.org/0/items/TheSignalCorpsTheTest/TheSignalCorpsTheTest.pdf

 

[Frog]

Wow so interesting to read about Col Howard Willis playing a major role in this, being a former Lafayette Escadrille pilot! (?) if I'm reading that right? So it sounds like they didn't get clapped out fighters after all. They were also fighting hard in one of the most difficult periods for the Allied fighters, and engaging with Fw 190s. 33rd Fighter Group, to which they were attached, had a lot of problems when they first encountered these types. GC II/5 didn't have much time to learn the type though they were at least familiar with it's ancestor, the H-75.

Colonel Willis would have maybe been very embarassed had he known during Torch the Lafayette GC II/5 was credited with 8 confirmed F4Fs and 3 probables...

 

[Steamed_Banana]

Colonel Willis would have maybe been very embarassed had he known during Torch the Lafayette GC II/5 was credited with 8 confirmed F4Fs and 3 probables...

I'm pretty sure they knew, I've covered this short bit intense battle on here before. The US Navy certainly knew.