Great Lakes Aircraft Carriers WWII

Michael R. · #1 05-05-13, 02:54

http://warbirdinformationexchange.or...hp?f=3&t=48962

Interesting images at the above URL of the training aircraft carriers that operated on the Great Lakes during WWII. No fear of an Exercise Tiger on Slapton Sands attack disaster here.

Phil Waterman · #2 05-05-13, 16:12

Hi Michael

Interesting set of photos that's the first time I have seen a SNJ / Harvard equipped with arresting hooks. Now are the USN version of the SNJ and the Harvard as used in Canadian Air Force the same?

Cheers Phil

lynx42 · #3 06-05-13, 09:47

Hi Michael,

What a great thread. I had always wondered just where and how the carrier pilots did their training.. Well that's has been partly answered. Thanks Michael.

Great photos, really clear.

Regards Rick

Mike Cecil · #4 06-05-13, 20:07

For more info on the US Navy aviator and Marine Corps pilot training that was conducted in the Great Lakes, see this website:

http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org12-6i.htm

An interesting story, and the results, along with trained flight crews, was a lot of aircraft wrecks on the bottom. Also a German U-boat from WW1.

Mike C

motto · #5 07-05-13, 14:06

Thanks for the link Mike. Because of all the accident photos I was wondering about the loss of life. Only eight pilots killed seems a very low figure considering 148 aircraft were lost.

A total of 200 accidents seems a low figure also when the weather in that area and the total number of landings and take offs are considered. I20,000 landings (and an equal number of take-offs) and 35,000 pilots qualified between the two vessels is an incredible effort.

Dave

sapper740 · #6 13-06-13, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi Michael

Interesting set of photos that's the first time I have seen a SNJ / Harvard equipped with arresting hooks. Now are the USN version of the SNJ and the Harvard as used in Canadian Air Force the same?

Cheers Phil

Phil, I'm not so sure the U.S. Navy ever equipped their SNJ's with an arrestor hook. The Harvard/SNJ/Texan was famous for it's low stall speed (60 knots) due to it's having full length flaps across it's entire wingspan. Steaming (10-15 knots) into a headwind of 10-15 knots meant a delta of only 30-40 knots when the plane landed. A light tap of the brakes was probably that was ever needed.