The 'infamous' White Walled Hellcats of Maui ...

[Mark Allen M]

... Actually I just made that up

For those who have sworn that Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats never wore white walled tires? (if anyone ever thought about it at all) Here's proof some actually did.


Photo states: "F6F Hellcats at NAS Puunene, Maui, Hawaii c May thru August 1945"

[Mark Allen M]

... and some of the hero's who flew them. States they were with VF-8? aboard the USS Bennington for a time.

[Mark Allen M]

Here's the original photo and I'll be damned if I can't find the ebay posting now. I'll find it and post it for those interested.

[Mark Allen M]

NAS Puunene, Maui


NAS Puunene, Maui




TBF-1C assigned to Torpedo Squadron Two (VT-2) pictured on the ground at NAS Puunene, Maui, TH

[Lightjug]

Wow. Any indication (or guess) how the damage was incurred on that last photo?

[Chris Brame]

In the words of Maindrian Pace, "You know those parking lot attendants..."
Interesting SNJ behind it; would that be flat medium sea blue?

[ALOHADAVE]

photos from my collection
The whole base area has returned to ag use

Attachments

[Jim MacDonald]

Looking at a larger version of this photo, it looks to me like the BuNo is 25119. I found the following info for TBM-1C BuNo 25119 of VT-2. Accident report only states "Crashed due to mechanical failure", 28 Jan 44 at Hilo. No injuries. No pilot's name mentioned.

This plane shows up on the Loss List for this date also, so the damage from this accident wasn't repaired & the plane was written off.

I found this info at http://ww2nar-pac.com (ok, I admit it. That's a shameless plug for my website).

Mac

[Lightjug]

In the words of Maindrian Pace, "You know those parking lot attendants..."
Interesting SNJ behind it; would that be flat medium sea blue?

Good one Chris

Looking at a larger version of this photo, it looks to me like the BuNo is 25119. I found the following info for TBM-1C BuNo 25119 of VT-2. Accident report only states "Crashed due to mechanical failure", 28 Jan 44 at Hilo. No injuries. No pilot's name mentioned.

This plane shows up on the Loss List for this date also, so the damage from this accident wasn't repaired & the plane was written off.

I found this info at http://ww2nar-pac.com (ok, I admit it. That's a shameless plug for my website).

Mac

Thanks Mac

Mark

[PeterA]

... Actually I just made that up

For those who have sworn that Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats never wore white walled tires? (if anyone ever thought about it at all) Here's proof some actually did.


Photo states: "F6F Hellcats at NAS Puunene, Maui, Hawaii c May thru August 1945"

...as did the Spitfires of 1 CAACU.

TE476 seen here at RAF Hendon in the mid 1950's.

The eagle eyed may have spotted this surviving Spitfire is currently with Kermit Weeks.

PeterA

Image by Eric Watts.

[JohnB]

Years ago some C-5s of a Reserve unit (based in NY) painted white walls on their C-5s.
Considering the number of tires each aircraft has and frequently they're changed, that's a lot of work.

[Mark Allen M]

SBD-6's pictured on the ground at Douglas Aircraft Company's El Segundo Plant.

[4RG.I.'S]

Not knowing the reason for the white walled tires on these various aircraft, it makes a bit of sense on these SBD's as the color would blend very well into the lower wing with the gear retracted (as long as no one sees the huge star and bars... .

SBD-6's pictured on the ground at Douglas Aircraft Company's El Segundo Plant.

[Scoobs]

Great photos - got any of the same time period from NAS Kahului also on Maui? My Grandad, then LT(j.g.) Jack Scott, was there there finishing up workups in F4U-4s with Bombing Fighting Squadron NINETEEN (VBF-19). He was a dive-bomber veteran who had previously passed through Kahului in the spring of '44 on his way to WestPac flying SB2Cs with VB-19 aboard USS LEXINGTON (CV-16).

-Scoobs

[JohnB]

Not knowing the reason for the white walled tires on these various aircraft, it makes a bit of sense on these SBD's as the color would blend very well into the lower wing with the gear retracted (as long as no one sees the huge star and bars...

Why the white tires?
It just saved the time it took to mask off the tires before painting.

I don't think anyone at Douglas or the USN was stupid enough to think by hiding the black of the tires the airplane would be less visible.