Rear view mirrors in fighters

[GT]

Update.

 

[Erich]

did some one say mirrors : on Me 262 jet killer from the 55 fg.

he will be coverd in the piston engine jobs against 262's later...

 

[FLYBOYJ]

OK !

Now that this question have been resolved to everybodys satisfaction, let´s return to my answer.

"Pilots did remove the mirror because of the vibrations which made it impossible to use as intended. The best way was as always to keep your head as a swivel and lift the wings to see what was approaching beneath".

Cheers (still fishing)
GT

Very true, although the fellow in the picture I posted earlier mounted his mirror higher, and if I remember right, he said it gave him better visibility and vibrated less.

 

[GT]

Update.

 

[Erich]

Birtceil shot down a Me 262 while flying this P-51 shown

 

[plan_D]

I have a picture of 347th FS, 361st FG P-51Bs and Ds - the Bs have their mirrors on.

1st Lt. Ananian's "Baby Mine" has it's mirror on, and he shot down his 262 in that.

A picture of two P-51Ds from 504th FS, 339th FG taking off both have mirrors on.

Cpt. Robinson's "Little One II" - 339th FG has it's mirror on

Major Tower's "Tar Heel" - 339th FG has it's mirror on.

They're just a from a few pictures I have. I seem to notice no restored Mustangs have mirrors on though. Well, you don't need to see a 262 riding your ass these days.

 

[plan_D]

Capt. Richard C "Slick" Penrose. 504th FS, 339th FG. P-51D "Beaver Chant". Carrying mirror{s}

 

[Erich]

Penrose was the spokesperson for the 339th fg and he is the one I was going to interview but alas he passed away at his home in Bend Oregon.

thanks for posting.........

 

[evangilder]

Darn, he has probably taken some great stories and info with him.

 

[plan_D]

I've been reading about the 339th FG recently. A remarkable unit, it was 3rd in kill tallies and 4th in jet kill tallies and it served in the ETO a year less than the 56th FG.

 

[R Leonard]

Well, for what they're worth,

Here's a couple of Spitfire VB from VCS-7 in June 1944 with mirrors

USN Photo

USN Photo

And over in the Pacific, here's an F4F-4, oh, along about 8 June 1942, aboard USS Hornet. Rear-view mirror is visible inside the windscreen at the top.

USN Photo (Pilot is my father, XO of USS Yorktown's VF-3.)

Rich

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Nice photos - tell us more about your Dad!

 

[R Leonard]

Rather than a long song and dance about my father, take a look at
http://www.centurytel.net/midway/appendix/bios/vf3_william_n_leonard.html

And on the subject of mirrors, here's some more photos of USN fighters that, if you look close you can see the rearview mirrors. Most are mounted inside the canopy, the F2A, though, has its mirror mounted over the top of the windscreen.

F4U-1 (VF-17) You'll have to look real, real close, but its there

USN Photo

F2A This photo was taken in August 1942. Pilot is Commander Joseph Clifton

USN Photo

F6F from VF-74 aboard USS Kasaan Bay during the invasion of southern France

USN Photo

Another F6F, this one from VF-38 piloted by Lieut Oscar Chenowith in 1943

USN Photo

And another shot of Chenowith in an F6F with a real good view of the mirror, note convex shape.

USN Photo

Regards,

Rich

 

[lesofprimus]

All great pics....

 

[evangilder]

Nice!

 

[buffnut453]

Rather than a long song and dance about my father, take a look at
http://www.centurytel.net/midway/appendix/bios/vf3_william_n_leonard.html

And on the subject of mirrors, here's some more photos of USN fighters that, if you look close you can see the rearview mirrors. Most are mounted inside the canopy, the F2A, though, has its mirror mounted over the top of the windscreen.

F4U-1 (VF-17) You'll have to look real, real close, but its there

USN Photo

F2A This photo was taken in August 1942. Pilot is Commander Joseph Clifton

USN Photo

F6F from VF-74 aboard USS Kasaan Bay during the invasion of southern France

USN Photo

Another F6F, this one from VF-38 piloted by Lieut Oscar Chenowith in 1943

USN Photo

And another shot of Chenowith in an F6F with a real good view of the mirror, note convex shape.

USN Photo

Regards,

Rich

Rich,

For some reason I can't see your pics (get a big red "X" for each of them). Do you (or anyone else reading the thread) have any ideas on what I need to do to view them?

Cheers,
Mark

 

[beaupower32]

You do realize this thread is 5 years old?

 

[buffnut453]

You do realize this thread is 5 years old?

Thanks Beaupower. That'll be the problem. Guess I should be more alert (awake?) when I post dumb questions.

 

[beaupower32]

Its all good, the pictures he posted are probably no longer there.

 

[Timppa]

wanna bet.............
yes they had them on 109's

I have never seen one.
You have any picture ?