Warbird Information Exchange

Here's a few sequences of how crazy and dangerous US carrier operations were. No fatalities listed in any of the photos posted. Source NMNA archives.


F6F-3 Hellcat of VF-7 just launched from the deck of USS Hancock (CV-19) and is about to ditch 7-6-1944












F4U Corsair of VMF (later VMA) 211 after an errant launch from USS Saipan (CVL 48) c late 1940's


















Corsair hook mishap USS Suwanne 1945












F6F-5 Hellcat of VF-9 #23 burning on board the USS Lexington (CV-16) after a barrier crash. ENS Ardon R. Ives was the pilot 2-25-1945














F9F-2 of VF-112 aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) off Southern California ENS Anderson of VC-61 crashes, reportedly non-fatal c 1950's
















AD-2 belonging to Attack Squadron One Hundred Fifty-Five (VA-155) from USS Valley Forge (CV-45) too slow for wave off and plunges into sea. c 1950's






















The crash of an F4U-1A Corsair of VBF-94 on the flight deck of The USS Prince William (CVHE-31)








SB2C-4E of Bombing Squadron 97 (VB-97) making approach too low and slow to the USS Shangri-La (CV-38). Photo states pilot survived. Nothing said about the gunner though. 1945










TBM-3W Avenger, with Air Anti-Submarine Squadron Thirty-One (VS-31), crashing on deck of CVL-48 (USS Saipan) c 1950's








An F4U-5 Corsair aircraft of VF-81 too low ans slow crashed on the rear of the deck of the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) c 1950's










F6F-3 Hellcat from VF-19 number 26 states crashed into the elevator well on the deck of USS Lexington (CV-16) 1945


F4U-1 (FG-1D) Corsair belonging to VMF-522 that had a taxi accident with a "LADY" 1945

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SB2C-3 and another truck mishap on the flight line at St. Louis, MO 1945

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Thanks for posting those. I really enjoyed them.........John

I read an article that since the end of World War II, the United States Navy and Marines have lost 12,000 planes and 8,500 aircrew in carrier operations. I believe this also meant combat as well. That seems a bit high. Maybe over the entire history of carrier aviation including World War II?

The point of the article was how emerging nations want to get into the carrier game, but that carrier aviation is a very resource heavy enterprise in terms of planes and pilots. It mentioned that China is training a cadre of 100 pilots for their carrier, and that given the hazards of carrier training, that number won't last ver long.

Absolutely mind boggling that the aircrew survived some of those. US carrier aircraft were some tough birds!

Yes, carrier flying is dangerous...even in peacetime with jets. A friend's father was killed flying off a carrier in the 60s or 70s...I never asked her the details.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
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I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

SB2C-5 of Attack Squadron One-AVA-1A pictured rolling to the starboard during recovery aboard USS Tarawa 1945









FH-1 Phantom of Fighter Squadron (VF) 171 flown by Lieutenant Commander William Biggers launches from the aircraft carrier Philippine Sea (CV 47) 1948

















F2H-3 Banshee aircraft by McDonnell of VF-31crashed while landing on the flight deck of the USS Midway (CVA-41) in the Mediterranean Sea 1954























F8U-1 Crusader aircraft of VF-62 in accident off launch of USS ShangriLa (CVA-38). 74-Accident was not fatal. Pilot was CDR J. R. Davis, XO of VF-62

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

I'm a little hesitant to post some of these sequence series for the possibility there are indeed fatalities. If anyone objects to any photo I'll be happy to pull it out of this thread. Not interested in disrespecting or offending anyone.


F6F-5 Hellcat of Fighting Squadron 21 (VF-21) crashes on board USS Belleau Wood (CVL 24) 1944, pilot survived













RF-4B Phantom aircraft of Marine Corps VMFP-3 from the USS Midway (CV-41) is experienceing prpoblems with lowering its nose gear. 1965















F7U-3 Cutlass of VA-124 crashed on the flight deck, aft-port side, of USS Hancock (CVA-19) 1955 (Sorry there are known fatalities here so if anyone is offended PM me and I'll pull them out)

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More madness! ...


F4U-4 Corsair of VMA-312 crashing into water after being launched from USS Sicily for combat strike off west coast of Korea c 1952, pilot rescued.















This Corsair doesn't seem to be the same one as above. Another F4U-4 Corsair of VMA-312 crashing into water after being launched from USS Sicily for combat strike off west coast of Korea c 1952, pilot rescued as well.















F8U-1 Crusader of VF11 broken magnesium wheel strut bursts into flames upon high friction contact with deck of the USS Franklin D Roosevelt c 1960's



















Navy Grumman F8F1 Bearcat missing a landing aboard USS Antietum CV-36.





F4U-4 Corsair of VMF-323 in a fiery landing on the deck of USS Sicily (CVVE-118).


Navy Grumman F8F1 Bearcat in flames aboard a carrier.


SB2C of Bombing Squadron Nine (VB-9) plummets over the side of USS Lexington (CV-16) following an errant approach to the ship.


F8U-2N Crusader from VF-154 off the USS Coral Sea 20 miles out flames out due to small arms fire over VN

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More non-fatal carnage for you non-fatal carnage lovers ...


F4U-4 with too high an approach and losing control on recovery, or lack there of. c 1945









Lt Ken Ford of VMF-111 couldn't get his landing gear down and ended up in the drink off Samoa on 11 Jan 1943

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Holy jumpin' Mark.
Carnage indeed!
Carrier ops is such an unforgiving environment.

Thanks for posting, as always.

Andy Scott

The year on the RF-4B taking the barricade is incorrect. I think it was 1983 while I was in the Squadron.

Great pictures. Carrier aviation is always interesting.

I'd bet my bottom dollar some of the accidents in the OP are fatals.
And so what if they were? What would you do? Hide them from us? And what exactly is gained by hiding those photos from the members?

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"Welcome back Mr. Lasky."

Your more than likely correct. Only so much information to go with and it has been proven there are errors at times. Why, has someone complained about something? If so that's what PM's and moderators are for.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Great photos Mark. No need to pull any, accidents are part of flying.

In some of the shots where the Hellcats, Corsairs, Panthers, and Banshees went in fairly intact makes me wish we had the technology and $$$ to recover them and return them to the sky.

Chappie

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Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!