American Aircraft

[CP_Admin]

Dear Pilots,

Feel free to share any information, resources or references about American aircraft that fought in the Pacific Theater 1941-1945. We have great references, but could always use more.

Thanks in advance!

The Combat Pilot Team

[Esco]

I live on Oahu. The Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor has a P40, Wildcat, SBD, Zero, and B-25 on display. If you need external pictures for reference, I would gladly get some.

[Docjonel]

On 5/18/2023 at 5:01 PM, Esco said:

I live on Oahu. The Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor has a P40, Wildcat, SBD, Zero, and B-25 on display. If you need external pictures for reference, I would gladly get some.

Same here. 

I live in Connecticut and have some up close photos taken at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, Mass. of the landing gear and wing folding mechanisms of a TBM Avenger and a later war FM-2 Wildcat which should not be that much different than the original model. 

They have also acquired a Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless and have a P-40B on display that actually survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, being in a maintenance hanger at Wheeler Field during the attack:

https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/aircrafts/curtiss-p-40b-tomahawk/

 

If reference photos would be of help, I'd be happy to travel back to this amazing facility to take any photos you need. 

https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/

[Boom]

America's Hundred Thousand is an incredible reference book. One of my most cherished.

Also have a large range of other books that deal individually with all of the USAAF and USN aircraft of the War.

[Trooper117]

Yes, great book... 

[BlitzPig_EL]

I have a number of copies of flight test reports that I obtained from the Library of Congress and or NASA all relating to the Curtiss P36.  I gathered this info many years ago and passed it on to the '46 dev team when they made the Hawk 75/P36 flyable.  If you need it in future let me know.

Edited June 15, 2023 by BlitzPig_EL

[WWSandMan]

I'm a couple hours' drive away from Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Mn. Give me a reason to go back and grab more detailed photos... please! (LOL)

Here's a few photos I took from a visit in '21 and a visit last summer: 

 

[WWSandMan]

Almost forgot about the larger birds... 

 

[WWSandMan]

Not sure if this video link will work (it's a Facebook posted video, so will require you to be logged into FB to see it), but it's from the Fagen Fighters people regarding the work progressing on their restoration of an SB2C HellDiver: 

https://fb.watch/lPQfJcSJaX/

[BlitzPig_EL]

Video worked for me without Facebook.

[Boom]

I have two books that may be useful to the developers, when it comes to modelling the actual engines (and operation of) of the Allies.

[Mysticpuma]

On 4/3/2023 at 9:19 PM, CP_Admin said:

Dear Pilots,

Feel free to share any information, resources or references about American aircraft that fought in the Pacific Theater 1941-1945. We have great references, but could always use more.

Thanks in advance!

The Combat Pilot Team

https://forum.combatpilot.com/topic/404-will-the-p40c-be-relevant-i-have-high-resolution-cockpit-photos-if-useful/#comment-3699

[SOLIDKREATE]

I’m planning on going to the museum here in WA. It’s the Flying Heritage Museum. We have the only Type I Oscar in the entire world. We also have two Zeros as well. Maybe I can sweet talk the docents into letting me take photos. I can see if there is a formal request form if some kind to gain close access to the aircraft.