tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post2955528694522144723..comments2023-12-22T15:54:02.289-08:00Comments on Consider The Source: The Greatest American Hero You've Never Heard Of...mikeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13057701313718589322noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-25552752177947764542013-08-07T23:56:20.351-07:002013-08-07T23:56:20.351-07:00I knew it was Bong, & not 'cause of his (...I knew it was Bong, & not 'cause of his (now) unfortunate name, but I didn't know/remember that he plunged into NoHo in a P-80. I wonder how built NoHo was then.<br /><br /><i>My father eventually decided to stay in the US and marry my mom, while every other member of his class was dead before the attack on Pearl Harbor.</i> Yow. You're lucky to exist. <br /><br />I'm much more impressed by flying down Market below roof-level than mere flying "UNDER" the bridge.M. Bouffanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04519088858760760560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-47464763096253153502013-08-05T10:15:51.922-07:002013-08-05T10:15:51.922-07:00Actually, I think that's accurate, Thunder. Bu...Actually, I think that's accurate, Thunder. But the Hellcat and Corsair pilots were more willing to get into a classic turning dogfight with the Zeros because with their huge advantage in speed and horsepower they felt they could break off or reverse the turn anytime they wanted/needed to...mikeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13057701313718589322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-7355991485919796002013-08-04T22:05:50.012-07:002013-08-04T22:05:50.012-07:00I don't think any American fighter could turn ...I don't think any American fighter could turn with the Zero. It's wing loading was so much lower (due to lack of armor, and be lightly armed, and having a lightweight, but underpowered engine, etc. etc.). The later American fighters had so much more climb, dive, and level speed, they didn't need to turn with it.<br /><br />Even before the Hellcat came along, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thach_Weave" rel="nofollow">Thatch Weave</a> was developed, which let Wildcat pilots take the upper hand.<br />~ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©https://www.blogger.com/profile/06252371815131259831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-8045827159106501992013-08-04T19:16:00.754-07:002013-08-04T19:16:00.754-07:00Thanks Mikey. Yes, ZRM draw a shark mouth on the P...Thanks Mikey. Yes, ZRM draw a shark mouth on the P-38 and it's the winner every time.another kiwihttp://eusa-riddled.blogspot.co.nz/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-45462520579710014892013-08-04T18:13:15.190-07:002013-08-04T18:13:15.190-07:00It's my understanding that the Japanese didn&#...It's my understanding that the Japanese didn't rate survivability very highly. <br /><br />But, the P-38 just looked so fucking COOL.zombie rotten mcdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601960953323752278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-57390568638579122562013-08-04T18:11:07.226-07:002013-08-04T18:11:07.226-07:00you'd have to find yourself in Wisconsin first...you'd have to find yourself in Wisconsin first, so I think the Parks Department is safe for at least one of their signs.zombie rotten mcdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601960953323752278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-86669500052057436072013-08-04T16:20:55.583-07:002013-08-04T16:20:55.583-07:00I'd do that...I'd do that...mikeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13057701313718589322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-9397316700154997572013-08-04T16:19:38.796-07:002013-08-04T16:19:38.796-07:00In air to air mode in the piston engine era, the t...In air to air mode in the piston engine era, the twin engine fighter was not ever going to be the best dogfighter. The Germans had the ME-110, the British the Mosquito and the US the P-38. The advantages were range, toughness and the reliability afforded by that second engine on long missions over the Pacific. But the weight and size had a cost in maneuverability, requiring the development and uncompromising adherence to a set of tactics that never allowed the advantages of the enemy aircraft to beat you.<br /><br />The Lightning couldn't turn with a zero (until the Hellcat and Mustang, nothing could), but had much better high altitude performance, and could significantly out-climb the Zero, which gave it a tactical advantage in regaining energy in the form of speed and altitude. Also, the center-mounted combination of .50 caliber guns and 20mm cannon made gunnery easier than having to compensate for convergence with wing-mounted guns, and like all American combat aircraft, the rugged construction and robust armor gave the Lightning a survivability over water that was unmatched by the Japanese.mikeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13057701313718589322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-52917936848123681952013-08-04T15:14:10.994-07:002013-08-04T15:14:10.994-07:00ery few will come up with the name Richard Bong
U...<i>ery few will come up with the name Richard Bong</i><br /><br />Unless they lived in SE Wisconsin, and drive by the Bong Recreation Area.<br /><br />Of course, many stoners have taken to stealing the signs.zombie rotten mcdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10601960953323752278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8537045684820674531.post-11257211316826610742013-08-04T15:06:25.947-07:002013-08-04T15:06:25.947-07:00Thanks Mikey, I had forgotten about Richard Bong. ...Thanks Mikey, I had forgotten about Richard Bong. One of my Big Boy's Book of Fighter Aces had him in it. He was a great pilot from what I can gather. How does that P-38 stack up? I never see it in the lists of great fighters. another kiwihttp://eusa-riddled.blogspot.co.nz/noreply@blogger.com