Flying Combat Aircraft of the USAAF-USAF

172 Pages·1978·22.26 MB·English

by  Robin Higham

shining air-
plane through
the blue has
always been
a special
;
part of the
I
American
iDream.
he heroics,
anguish, and
undeniable
glamour of
men
military
who
achieved
that dream
make /
THUNDER IN THE SUN USAF Photo by Kenneth Hackman
Combat
Flying Aircraft
of the USAAF-USAF, edited by
ROBIN HIGHAM and ABIGAIL SIDDALL,
a book to be savored by veterans and
J
armchair aviators alike!
T
FLYING
COMBAT
AIRCRAFT
OF THE
USAAF-USAF
1*

FLYING
iCOMBAT
AIRCRAFT
OF THE
USAAF-USAF
edited by
Robin Higham Abigail T. Siddall
/
AEROSPACE HISTORIAN, sponsorof this book, is an international jour-
nal foraerospace history and the official journal of the Air Force Historical
Foundation. Established in 1954, it has been published since June 1970 at
the Department of History, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
66506.
This book, the first of a proposed series on American aircraft, is de-
signed to helpreaders ofall ages appreciate the role USAAF-USAF combat
aircraft have played in our country's history and respectthe gallant men
who have flown them in times ofwarand peace.
By obtaining such personal recollections now, our knowledge of these
memorable times can be preserved for the future.
©197.5 Airforce Historical Foundation
All rightsreserved
Composed and printed by
The Iowa State University Press
Ames, Iowa50010.
First edition, 1975
Secondprinting, 1978
LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData
Main entryunder title:
FlyingcombataircraftoftheUSAAF-USAF.
Mili1t.aryA-iUrpnliatneeds,StMaitleist-aHriys—toHriys.toryI.. H2.ighAaemro,naRuotbicisn,
I) S. II. Sidilall, Abigail T., 1930-
UG1243.F55 358.41'8'3 75-8932
ISBN 0-8138-0325-X
CONTENTS
PREFACE vii
B-25 MITCHELL 3
Arthur J. Thomas
B-26 MARAUDER 11
Douglas C. Conley
B-29 SUPERFORTRESS 19
Haywood S. Hansell, Jr.
B-58 HUSTLER 29
Robert E. Hinnant
COMMANDO
C-46 37
William S. Woznek
C-47 DAKOTA AND AC-47 43
Robin Higham and James L. Cole, Jr.
C-54 SKYMASTER 53
John F. Ohlinger
F-80 SHOOTING STAR 61
John W. Keeler
F-84 THUNDERJET 66
Charles D. Bright
F-86 SABRE 73
Cecil G. Foster
F-89 SCORPION 79
Wayne C. Gatlin
F-105 THUNDERCHIEF 8*
Jerry Noel Hoblit
F-106 DELTA DART 91
Jack Gamble and Patrick Gamble
F-lll AARDVARK 101
Peter M. Dunn
CG-4A GLIDER 108
Arthur J. Thomas
0-2A SUPER SKYMASTER 119
Timothy Kline
OV-10 BRONCO 125
James A. Richmond
P-38 LIGHTNING 131
Royal D. Frey
P-39 AIRACOBRA 141
Richard D. Kent
SPITFIRE VIII vs P-51 MUSTANG 146
Charles M. McCorkle
XR-12 RAINBOW 154
L. L. Brabham
VI
THE informativeand entertainingpieces presented here are both orig-
inal documents and fallible memoirs. It is admitted at once that they
represent one school of thought only as to the proper way to handle a
particular plane. Another pilot in another war theater may have flown
thecraftquitedifferently (or thought he did), so no claim is made that
these chapters are absolutely reliable guides. We do say each has been
preparedbothconscientiouslyandlovinglyandhas, whenever possible, been
checked against an appropriate authoritative manual.
Weacknowledge also thatan ingredientofflying life is the tendemv
to "shootaline." Thus, even though theauthors believe some of the stories
related here to be completely accurate, they may not be. In any event, we
hope readers will find these accounts enlightening, stimulating, and some-
times amusing—all to be recalled, in the case of veterans at least, with fond
memories, ifnot complete agreement.
To include chapters on all combat aircraft was of course impossible
because of lack of space and the difficulty of finding authors. We hope to
correct omissions in a subsequent volume.
Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs are courtesy of the
UnitedStatesAirForce.
R. H. and A. T. S.
VII