Sorry for the delay had a couple of drinks with freinds.
What aircraft was nicknamed the DRUT ?

Hi David

That was the Douglas Skyknight wasn't it?

All the best

Rowan

Hi Rowan
Yeah it,s a F3D. Have to come up with a harded question next time.

Hi there

This one's probably pretty staightforward... what's this aircraft?:



All the best

Rowan

I think it's a PB4Y-2 Privateer

Ohh too easy!

Over to you David.

OK which world war II US Navy fighter squadron was first equipped with F4U Corsairs, then F6F Hellcats and finaly FM-2 Wildcats? The squadrons designation was changed when they received the Wildcats.

Anybody want a hint?

ok i'll guess

VF-17 Jolly Rogers

Sorry wrong answer, the squadron in question was however credited with victories against Germany and Japan.

David,

Wow this is a tough question. I have not found anything that links all three aircraft and air victories you describe.
The only Navy unit to score against both German and Japanese aircraft to the best of my knowledge is artillery spotting VOF-1 flying F6F's during Operation Anvil-Dragoon (six kills). They were later deployed to the Pacific and were redesignated as VOC-1 flying FM-2's and used again as artillery spotters for Phillipines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns (20 kills).
Your question indicates that the Corsair was the first aircraft used and from my guess work only two Navy squadrons were issued F4U's and then converted to F6F's one is already mentioned VF-17 and the other is VF-12 which traded their Corsairs for Hellcats as soon as they deployed in mid 1943 because the Navy had no logistics set up for them at the time. VF-12 stayed in the PTO for its entire service as far as I know.
I guess we need more hints :-)

Brian

Hi Brian

I think you might have it with VF-12... I think the unit was formed out of VF-9 which scored victories in North Africa and the Pacific.

I've got VF-9/VF-12 starting with Wildcats, "almost" converting to Corsairs and ending with Hellcats though...

All the best

Rowan

Brian you were right first time with VOF-1 / VOC-1. The rest is probably down to my poorly worded question. VOF-1 Successfully carrier qualified in the corsair before AirLant decided that Corsairs couldn't be operated from carriers!

David

David,
Not to worry it was a good question that sent me searching and searching for the right answer. Buy the way where did you find the reference for VOF-1 being issued Corsairs?

Merlin,
I think your right about VF9 changing to VF12 remember the Operation Torch question I had back a long time ago? that's what was stumping me with this question, Vichy French vs. German thing.

Anyway here is something I hope is different and entertaining can anyone identify the nationality and aircraft that this cartoon was painted on?



Brian

Its an Aussie TBM.

Brian,
Rhe reference for VOF-1 being issued Corsairs was, U.S. Navy Fighter Squadrons in World War II by Barrett Tillman. It is also mentioned in Wildcat: The F4F in WW II by Barrett Tillman.
David

As for the nationality it's a Kiwi.

As for the aircraft it's NZ2518!

Gee - must be more than one ? Or is it a Kiwi plane owned by an Aussie ?




http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/7553/mcfarlane.htm

Not posted as an answer to the question just a reference.

Chuck - don't be shy... your link even plays a tune! :-)

All the best

Rowan

My reference link doesn't play any tunes... http://rnzaf.hobbyvista.com/avecol1.html

But it has a lot of tips on how to build models of the TBF/TBM-1C:s (including information regarding the Aeromaster "Plonky" decals) http://rnzaf.hobbyvista.com/avemod.html

Edit: Ps. I love the flying Kiwi!!!

My bad, I didn't know my link played a tune, my browser is set to block Pop Ups :-)

Polar Bear,
The flying Kiwi is hillarious! :-)

David,
I guess I need to aquire both those books. Seem to have a wealth of information in them. Your right about New Zealand Aircraft.

Fire Storm 20,

Yes its a Avenger and since Aussie was close I'm going to give the question to you

If anyone wants to know the Aeromaster book and decals for the Royal New Zealand Air Force is terrific!

Sincerely,

Brian

What is the name of the Dassault Falcon that was donated to The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum?

Hi all!

That's what I found:
"One of the customs at Federal Express is to name each aircraft after a child of one of the airline employees. The name is now chosen at random, but the Falcon in the National Air and Space Museum was the first, and is named Wendy, after Fred Smith’s daughter."

Jean-Luc