Coronado shoots down Betty

[Baldeagle]

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Content ... =R:IM11086

(I think it's a Betty?)



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[Mark Allen M]

Indeed it is. VP-13 encounter with a G4M 'Betty' bomber 12 May 1944

[Rick65]

Can anyone expand on this surprising incident.
Early models of the Betty had a cruising speed much the same as a Coronado's top and a 20mm in the tail should have been effective if the Betty crew were awake.

[Mark Allen M]

I think you'll notice that the starboard engine seems to be stopped, but doesn't look to be feathered. So this Betty could already have been in trouble and most likely not traveling anywhere near it's capable speed. The tail gunner could also have been knocked out at that time. Just a theory.

[Rick65]

Thanks Mark, would be interesting to know how the engine was taken out initially.
I enjoy your photos and even more the infill information that others provide on seeing them.

A quick internet search found more than one reference to the Coronado having claimed as many as 5 Bettys.
From AviaStar
"My father, Commander Roger Alyn Wolf, Sr. piloted a Coronado in VP-13 during WW2. His plane was called the Jolly Roger. He was all over the Pacific having participated in the bombing of Wake Island, the Battle of Midway, and operations from the Marshall Islands and Eniwetok Island. I understand that VP-13 Coronados gunned down 5 Japanese Betty bombers while operating out of the central Pacific...."

[Kyleb]

I think you'll notice that the starboard engine seems to be stopped, but doesn't look to be feathered. So this Betty could already have been in trouble and most likely not traveling anywhere near it's capable speed. The tail gunner could also have been knocked out at that time. Just a theory.

I bet there is an after-action report that details the incident. It would be interesting to read it.

BTW, what is that sticking out of the water in the last picture? Looks like a stabilizer to me, but I guess it could be a wingtip.

[Rob Mears]

This would be great subject matter for some aviation art!

[JOMiller]

Is the Coronado BuNo known?

[maxum96]

I think you'll notice that the starboard engine seems to be stopped, but doesn't look to be feathered. So this Betty could already have been in trouble and most likely not traveling anywhere near it's capable speed..

I don't think the starboard engine was stopped. The prop blades are slightly blurred in this picture. A high shutter speed will stop motion a prop. And I would expect the cameraman to be using a high shutter speed given the situation.

Last edited by maxum96 on Thu Jan 15, 2015 2:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mark Allen M]

I don't think the starboard engine was stopped. The prop blades are slightly blurred in this picture. A high shutter speed will stop motion a prop. And I would expect the cameraman to be using a high shutter speed given the situation.

I thought that as well. Could be either way.

All the photos I posted came from the SDASM archives in this album
https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=49487266@N07&q=VP-13


I don't think this is the same Betty as in the previous photos above, but rather another Betty downed by VP-13.

[Mark Allen M]

I haven't taken the time to look too deeply, but the answers may be found here as to the story behind the Betty shoot down. Worth a look anyway.

http://www.vpnavy.org/vp13_1938_1944.html

Yep! there's some good reading here ...

http://www.vpnavy.org/vp13/vpb13history ... ec2006.gif

http://www.vpnavy.org/vp13/vpb13history ... ec2006.gif

http://www.vpnavy.org/vp13/vpb13history ... ec2006.gif

http://www.vpnavy.org/vp13/vpb13history ... ec2006.gif

http://www.vpnavy.org/vp13/vpb13history ... ec2006.gif

[Rick65]

"altitude advantage and surprise"

Thanks for the good information Mark.

[Kyleb]

"altitude advantage and surprise"

Richthofen would be proud...

[Rick65]

And Mark too, so close to his post footer.