Some 7th AF documentation of fighter escort for B29's over Japan.

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

Wings/Airpower did a very good article in January 1977. I found my copy. Sentry Publications Copyright. If I'm violating the forum protocol by posting two pages, would one of the moderators please delete. It was a long article, if it is ok, I'll post the remainder.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7364 page 1.jpg
    126 KB · Views: 165
  • IMG_7365 page 2.jpg
    106.5 KB · Views: 161
Last edited:

Please share the balance if that's ok? I've seen a similar article in (Flight Journal, Ridgefield CT, Summer 2002) by Barrett Tillman, Mustangs of Iwo Jima
 
I found 7th Fighter Command History by Major James B. Tapp to be interesting. Especially this passage: "The Command had begun using the 115/145 Octane leaded gasoline." Unfortunately, I never found the time to dig deeper into that topic.
 
Last edited:
The following Encounter Report of an Iwo Jima based P-51 pilot is of interest because it mentions combat tactics of both sides as well as aircraft comparisons. The Mustang pilots frequently mention employing "mutual support" in these reports. Scissoring is often used as a tactic. Of note is the pilot stating "I didn't have any trouble turning with, or out turning the Franks or Georges at any speed over 300".

 
After reading through some Encounter Reports and Mission Reports of Iwo Jima based Mustangs, I became curious as to how the competing aircraft compared. Attached please find some performance charts comparing basic performance of some of the principal contenders. The TAIC data sets leave something to be desired, however, they are readily at hand and will have to suffice for this exercise. I'm leaving off the Zekes and Oscars for now as they were largely embarrassed by the Mustangs. The Georges, Franks and Jacks certainly look competitive on paper to me. It appears in practice, however, that the Mustangs somehow seemed to get the better of it.

 
A couple of interesting thoughts. Japan's fighters had good performance however they were as Germany was, at a point of diminishing returns on pilot quality and production. As with Germany, you get great performance out of a "light" fighter with a big motor however it has no legs. Those long legs aren't needed when you are fighting over your flag vice your enemies. Another curious point is the legs on the Mustang allowed carrying rockets all that distance (high drag items) and still fight for a bit then fly home. Does anyone know if the USN was supplying any type of GCI to either their folks or the USAAF?

Cheers,
Biff
 

Agreed, the Iwo Mustangs are a bit overlooked in the grand scheme of WWII. Here is a pretty decent site for some of them though: 506th Fighter Group Home: 506th Fighter Group, 457 Fighter Squadron, 458 Fighter Squadron, 462 Fighter Squadron Iwo To Japan
 
BiffF15 said:
Does anyone know if the USN was supplying any type of GCI to either their folks or the USAAF?
Click to expand...

From the action reports I've read, US Naval squadrons were basically on there own once they arrived over the main islands. The various Fleet CGI radars had ranges of up to 30 miles so they was of little use once the pilots made it further inland. I have heard of airborne early warning radar sets carried by Avengers which had a detection range of up to 100 miles, but I know little about it's actual wartime application. This was basically the beginning of the AWACS concept.
 
"Zekes within a 15km radius of Osaka"

Could be Zeros belonging to No. 332 kokutai flying out of Naruo airfield north east of OSAKA city on Osaka bay.



Note all the 332 ku Zeros minus props lined up at bottom right. Japanese air forces were still very potent force even by the time of the surrender when this photo was taken. The only problem was they could not sustain heavy losses as the B-29 raids had all but wiped out the A/C manufacturing plants.

James
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Similar threads

P
Skyraider suitable for escort carriers??
Replies
13
Views
608
EwenS
E
Best piston engine(s) for fighters of 1945?
4 5 6
Replies
106
Views
8K
drgondog
S
Aerodynamics of Japanese fighters
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
GregP
T
Early records of UK preparation for WWII
Replies
1
Views
266
EwenS
E
V
P-51Ds over Normandy June 1944
Replies
1
Views
356
Geoffrey Sinclair
G
Menu
Log in
Register