Guadalcanal TBF Avenger questions

[Dan K]

Again, yes I agree. I have really appreciated the WIX feedback and discussion on this, it has been great. I wish i could get that USMC link to work, as they would likely be a good place to find that primary sorce material...

Reference Branch
Marine Corps History Division
3078 Upshur Avenue
Quantico, VA 22134
(USA)

Telephone: 703-432-4874

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Tailspin, I thought that was the case with the internal access. The TBM that was here in NZ in the 1990's had a seat in that second cockpit I'm sure because when I flew from Wigram to Wanaka in it's turret one of the mechanical staff was in that cockpit behind our pilot for the flight.

Thanks also Dan for that physical address, I appreciate that.

[Invader26]

That TBM [I owned here in Oz] had a second control column in the middle seat. That's an emergency stick to enable the aircraft to be flown possibly out of harms way towards a safe bailout or ditching area in case of pilot incapacitation etc. The Douglas A-20 and some other aircraft had a similar setup.

The US Navy crewing was normally a pilot [who also did the nav. with a plotting table fits in the instrument panel and pulls out]. A radio operator who also manned the radar and in earlier aircraft the lower .30calMG. The turret gunner lived in his turret although easily able to enter and exit in flight. The bailout for him was by removing the side panel in the turret.

The RN operated a bit differently but that is not unusual in many aircraft types that were flown by different services. Nothing unusual about that.

[JDK]

Thanks 'Invader', interesting additional data. Another 'emergency stick' type was the Douglas Dauntless. In the latest Aircrew we did for Aeroplane magazine, we featured the guys who went downhill backwards into battle in the SBDs.

One account we were able to briefly mention was:

In August 1942, SBD pilot Ensign E.A. Conzett was severely wounded in his right leg by a 20mm shell, and lost consciousness. Gunner Cales flew the aircraft until Conzett eventually came to and was able to land at Cactus field.

[Dave Homewood]

I had the opportunity this week to talk to a chap who was a Wireless Operator Air Gunner, posted to No. 31 Squadron RNZAF on the Avengers. So I asked him about the crew positions and he said as he was the air gunner in the Avenger he hopped into the turret before take off and remained there till they landed. I asked if therefore the Observer/Navigator operated the wireless set, and he said no, there was no need because on strikes they always maintained strict radio silence.

I'm sure in an emergency situation if the wireless had to be used the Observer or the WOp/AG was equally capable to do so. if they had a straight Navigator aboard however he won't have been so proficient in Morse as the Wop/AG.

This chap later went onto Venturas where he was the Wireless Op. So he got to use each side of his trade on two Pacific tours.