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TheElf -> (10/3/2003 12:06:53 PM)
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[QUOTE=Feinder]The British however, were very happy to take the time to develope proper landing techniques. They ended up approaching paralell to the CV's course, but to the side by 50 meters or so. At the end of the approach, the pilot would side-slip into the line of the flight-deck and touch down. The same technique was later adopted by the USN.
-F-[/QUOTE]
Hi,
This may have been a technique that the Brits used, but USN Corsair Squadrons used the same approach turn that we use today. The Day VFR Carrier pattern has not changed much in the last 50yrs.
It begins in the "break", or "Overhead". Offset slightly to Starboard, a single, section, or Division, breaks anywhere from the Stern to several miles upwind at 800'msl (1000'msl in WWII) with 30 sec b/w A/C (today we use 17-18 sec). Once "Dirty" and on downwind, the landing checklist is completed, and a descent to Pattern altitude (600'msl) is made. The approach turn starts at the "180", which is abeam the round down or LSO platform 180 degrees out from the Boat's heading.
The approach turn for the Corsair was probably different than the one we use today, but I don't fly Hogs so I can't tell you. Needless to say they probably had some wickets to meet to get to a good "90" and a good "start". What the approach turn (I'm going to guess b/w a 30-45 degree Angle of Bank) afforded the pilot was an unobstructed view of the LSO in the Crotch of the bent wing. Even after rolling into the groove he could still see the LSO. With that constant AOB the pilot could get signals from the LSO until the last moment when he leveled his wings, and lost sight of the deck for a few moments. At this point the pilot got one of 2 signals: 1. The Cut - a smart slice across the chest and then back across the throat. OR 2. the Wave off - Waving both paddles back and forth. If he got the wave off... max power, maintain Onspeed, and take her around. If he got the Cut,... chop the power to idle and strive for a "3-point" landing, which was the ideal attitude by which he "Set" the hook.
This approach was in use as early as MAR 43 when VF-17 began CQing in the Hog. SeaWolf is correct though. The real reason VF-17 didn't do its Maiden deployment aboard the Bunker Hill was due to supply. Once that decision was made most Corsairs went to the Marines, until there were enough of them in the inventory. At that point the transition to carrier ops was natural.
v/r
Elf
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