US NAVY AIRCRAFT OF WW2

Any landing you can walk away from…..

Vought F4U-1D/FG-1D Corsair

A pilot is pulled out of the cockpit of his F4F Wildcat as it dangles from the edge of the flightdeck.

The aircraft was attempting to land aboard the Essex class aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16) on 21 May 1943. Lexington was brand new at the time and conducting her shakedown cruise. The aircraft had touched down on the flightdeck and successfully snagged the arresting cable. However, the arresting cable snapped and the F4F was thrown over the edge of the flightdeck. Luckily, it managed to snag the final arresting cable before going over the side. This suspended the aircraft from the flightdeck, keeping it from crashing into the sea.

A harness was used to pull the pilot from his aircraft, bringing him back aboard within seven minutes of the crash, completely unhurt. The F4F was cut free and discarded in the sea.

1 June 1902. Birth of Rear Admiral Clarence Wade McClusky, Jr., (d. 27 June 1976). WW2 US Navy aviator who played a critical role in the Battle of Midway. Leading 32 SBD Dauntless dive bombers, despite low fuel levels, he located and attacked the Japanese strike force.

The Boeing Stearman trainer was the backbone of U.S. primary training in World War II. The Museum's N2S-5 Kaydet, painted bright yellow to maximize visibility for new pilots, was used to train naval aviation cadets at Ottumwa Naval Air Station in Iowa.

Before and after of an SBD-2 Dauntless that was recovered from Lake Michigan in 2009 and restored to its former glory. ✈️