USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) Escort Carrier Prepares For War in 1944; Wildcat, Avenger National Archives скачать в хорошем качестве

USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) Escort Carrier Prepares For War in 1944; Wildcat, Avenger National Archives

USS Kitkun Bay, CVE-71, was new when her FM-2 Wildcat and Avenger pilots practiced arrested landings, and takeoffs in March 1944, as seen in this Navy footage from the National Archives. There are some real bounders, and one Wildcat chews the new wooden deck into splinters. The FM-2 version of the Wildcat was produced solely by Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors under contract. The FM-2 is instantly recognizable with its taller vertical fin, made to complement its use of a Wright R-1820 engine instead of the Pratt-and-Whitneys used on earlier Grumman F4F Wildcats. The FM-2 boasted more horsepower and a lighter empty weight than earlier Wildcats, and was nicknamed the Wilder Wildcat. Some of that weight reduction came in the form of only four .50-caliber wing guns, where the earlier F4F-4 Wildcat had six. You can see taped patches covering the wing gun muzzle openings on some of the FM-2s in this film. Several reasons are given for taping the gun ports of World War II aircraft, ranging from keeping foreign matter out, to signaling the guns have been serviced and are ready for a mission. Some say the taped openings create less drag for the fighter. The first time the guns are fired, the tapes are blown open. The FM-2 had a top speed listed as 332 miles per hour at over 28,000 feet, where the F4F-4 could muster only 318 miles per hour at 19,400 feet. The FM-2 could be fitted with underwing racks for six five-inch diameter High Velocity Aircraft Rockets. Wing shackles could also carry drop tanks or 250-pound bombs. Recreation at sea included a well-attended and refereed boxing match between sailors. And the reel of film ends with shots taken at Espiritu Santo. Kitkun Bay took a load of Marine torpedo bombers into the Pacific for delivery, and then a load of cargo from Espiritu Santo in February. This footage may or may not be from that cargo run. It shows the level of activity and the completeness of shops built up on Espiritu Santo as the U.S. prosecuted the war in the Pacific. The USS Kitkun Bay was scrapped in 1947. Part of the huge 50-ship Casablanca class of escort carriers, none survive today. Thank you for watching, and thanks especially for subscribing to the Airailimages Channel. Check out the channel.