VF-11 F6F Hellcat ... well what da ya know! (videos added)

[Jim MacDonald]

Mark,

Congrats!! I bet that just made your day.

Mac

[Mark Allen M]

Thx Jim, yah that was kind of cool. Here's a few more Air Group 11 stuff. All these photos are solid gold IMHO. Grateful to have them.


BuNo 70680


Can't quite make it out but I think those are 500 lb'ers.


This stuff always looks dangerous.


Those who do the real work on a big boat.


Next few photos show lots of guys doing lots of stuff. Very necessary in those days.






Nice looking VF-11 Hellcat


Nice looking VB-11 Helldiver

I had mentioned in a previous thread that dad stated some bad weather caused some rough times. Here's why. Does not look fun.

[Mark Allen M]

VF-11 pilots coming on up deck side.

[PbyCat-Guy]

Mark, these are some fantastic photos. I'm glad to see them, and with your dad in some of them. My dad was in VQ-2 with the EA-3Bs, he told me of going through some rough seas, doesn't sound fun.

[Mark Allen M]

VF-11 pilot and crew member.


A small dent.


VF-11 Hellcat buzzing over some sanpans.


VF-11 splashing another bogie.


VB-11


VT-11

[Mark Allen M]

BTW I have quite a bit of crystal clear film footage of air operations by Air Group 11 on the Hornet c 1944, 45 and on Guadalcanal c 1942, 43 that will make your jaws drop. (for those who are interested in this old stuff of course). Never seen any of it and it has footage of pilots many of us would know by name and sight. Many surprises I never knew happened at Guadalcanal and gives an account of life and operations that I've never read in any books on the subject. Lots of birdcage Corsair footage, F4F's, SBD's, Avengers, PBY's, early B-17's etc. etc. Lots of close up detail footage of early Corsairs. Amazing stuff with lots going on. These films were dug up at NARA by a dear friend who I'm so grateful to foe his time and efforts.

Trying to figure out the best way to post some of it here for you guys to take a look see. (800 MB .mov files)

M

[DH82EH]

Loving this awesome thread!

Thanks folks.

Andy

[hang the expense]

AWESOME pictures.So cool to see you Granddad in them.I'm sure it made your day.

[Mark Allen M]

AWESOME pictures.So cool to see you Granddad in them.I'm sure it made your day.

Thx appreciate it, although I kind of wish he was my granddad, that would make me at least 20 years younger than I am lol. He's my dad making me stick with age 50

Almost have some video ready to post. Need to finish editing the size of the MP4 files. Some amazing stuff.

[TAdan]

Wonderful thread Mark! (I'm glad I finally clicked on it. ) I love the personal connection.

[lmritger]

It really doesn't get much better than this, does it folks. And I can't think of a more deserving member here on WIX to find such a definitive personal connection to these wonderful photos... Mark, this is truly amazing stuff.

Lynn

[Mark Allen M]

As always thank you all very much. I really enjoy sharing stuff that I dig up with those of you who enjoy it as well. Can't state it enough that it's never about me, only and always about the vets. God bless them all. More to come.

[Adam Kline]

I am the same age as you Mark and my dad was also a World War II Vet. I once found a guy who now owns a plane my dad flew in Norman, OK flight training, a Stearman by using his logbook and this website. Thanks for posting and good luck finding more pictures of you Pop.

[C VEICH]

Can't even begin to tell you how much I am anticipating the video Mark, bring it on!

[Mark Allen M]

Most all the photos I've posted in this thread came from a fellow who was a professional photographer who spent some time on the Hornet taking publicity photos. That's why the quality is so good. Many of the photos show various VF-11 pilots and crew doing what they did best. A few aces in the bunch as well such as Stimpson (16 kills), Swope (10 or so kills) Moranville, Fairfax (CO) etc.

The darn videos are becoming a bit of work as I have to split them up into smaller files so as to be able to post them here. Bare with me a bit longer on that little project.








































And once again the old man looking mean (sorta) lol


VF-11 pilots running for a publicity shot.