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

[Mark Allen M]

Whilst I'm at it! ... Here's a few Guadalcanal photos of Air Group 11. Some reasonably rare photos here.












































This was a VF-11 Wildcat mishap in HI before heading to Guadalcanal


HI as well.

[Mark Allen M]

So here's a test video. Hopefully it worked. A little tricky so apologies if it's not worthy. I'll get it figured out sooner than later.

This clip shows a bit of Air Group 11 landing (rather hard a few times) on the USS Hornet.

http://vid1337.photobucket.com/albums/o ... kk60t1.mp4

[Mark Allen M]

This is an interesting clip. BTW these are all safe to load and view. You will have no problems on your end. Just click 'Open' and wait a few seconds. Not too thrilled to post them this way, but WIX is very limited as to how you can post videos. Not into Youtube so for now this is the best way.

http://vid1337.photobucket.com/albums/o ... hlijyl.mp4

[Mark Allen M]

Part 3 of many

http://vid1337.photobucket.com/albums/o ... isv5ly.mp4

[Mark Allen M]

Part 4 ... Guadalcanal footage. Air Group 11 and other good stuff.

http://vid1337.photobucket.com/albums/o ... 8pgj8e.mp4

[Mark Allen M]

Part 5 ... Guadalcanal footage. Some nice Ken Walsh footage as well.

http://vid1337.photobucket.com/albums/o ... svlj0r.mp4

[Chris Brame]

Interesting to see that old style Hamilton Standard prop used as a grave marker; considering the location, maybe from an early model Dauntless?

[Mark Allen M]

Part 6 ... Early Carrier OP's

http://vid1337.photobucket.com/albums/o ... km9hjp.mp4

[sdennison]

BTW there was some speculation that Air Group 11, during it's time on the USS Hornet, didn't have a night fighter wing. This photo below seems to prove otherwise.




VF(N)-174 I believe. Could be wrong here though. Can't recall what I was told the # was.

Dad mentioned playing football on the Hornets deck a few times. Again kind of cool to see photos of some of the things he stated. All new to me.

Brings a new meaning to the call, "Go Deep!"

[sdennison]

Hope you folks didn't mind the little stroll down memory lane once again. Today October 30, 1944 dad almost 'bought it' on the USS Franklin when this below happened. he was assigned to VF-13 Black Cats at this time during the second battle of leyte gulf.

Video here.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675 ... ing-planes

Whoa! Holycrapoly Batman. Those were some brave young Dudes! Surely that damage could not be repaired at sea and rendered the carier out of action? Sorry, land lubber here.

[sdennison]

Very true indeed. It's also always a pleasure for me to be able to dig up some photos for folks who don't have the capacity to find things themselves. Nothing negative intended but this type of research is not for everyone. I'm always glad to try to help, especially the vets and family members.

http://www.eleventhemovie.com

If you take a look at the video above, around the 1:28 mark, you will see a pilot and his crew chief standing in front of his wildcat at Guadalcanal. This VF-11 pilot (who's name escapes me right now) was KIA shortly after this footage was shot. His wife was pregnant at the time of his death. His daughter had never seen footage of her father until a short time ago when the filmmaker presented it to her. Obviously a very special thing to happen. Powerful stuff.

BTW anyone here who happens to be in the SF Bay Area November 11th. You will have a special invite to the premiere from me if you would like to attend. PM me anytime for details if you like.
Many of the veterans in the film, family and friends will be attending as well. Pretty good size event going to happen. Very special event.

M

Just seeing those Veterans makes me choke up. Mark, the opportunity to walk where your Pop walked and sit where he sat along with pictures that make it real, WOW! Wish I had that success with my Dad's stuff. Congratulations on your successful hunt and score.

[sdennison]

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.

50?! Just starting the back nine young Skywalker.

[sdennison]

This is an interesting clip. BTW these are all safe to load and view. You will have no problems on your end. Just click 'Open' and wait a few seconds. Not too thrilled to post them this way, but WIX is very limited as to how you can post videos. Not into Youtube so for now this is the best way.

http://vid1337.photobucket.com/albums/o ... hlijyl.mp4

So if they wanted to charge you for not turning in your 45 cal pistol, WTF they charge for the fighter pushed over the side????

[Jim MacDonald]

Mark,

Thanks for taking the time to work up the videos. I haven't had a chance to look through all of them yet, because I have to play them a couple of times to really check them out. Great stuff.

Mac

[Mark Allen M]

Thx Scott, Jim and others for taking the time to have a look. None of this stuff means much if it's not seen by people who respect and appreciate it. I know that whenever I post threads here on WIX I always have the right audience. It's really all for the vets as they have earned our respect and should always garner attention from all of us. My only wish is that as many folks as possible see these photos and videos as a testament to their efforts and sacrifices. They earned whatever attention and appreciation we can ever give them .... And IMHO it's never enough.

The combat footage is mind blowing that I hope to post soon, nothing I have ever seen before and nothing like what the movies or history channel has ever shown. I have so much more to post yet so if your interested in this type of stuff have a seat and stick around.

M