P-47 snatch

[Baldeagle]

Was in the used bookstore at the Milwaukee airport today, and found a compilation of a WW2 publication called "Impact", a monthly or bi-monthly magazine from the USAAF. There were 6 or 7 volumes and I think they were $60 each, so didn't buy them, but they had some interesting photos and articles in them.

One article had some photos of a P-47 being snatched from the ground by a B-17 using a rig similar to what banner tow guys use (obviously a much heavier duty one), and the article said that the P-47 left the ground in about 500 feet. That must've been quite a ride for the P-47 pilot. Said they also used C-47s and B-25s to do the snatching, and also tried it on P-51s, as an experiment to return aircraft with failed engines back to where they could be repaired. I think the photos were taken at Muroc.




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[Matt Gunsch]

There were 8 volumes, and I can see $60 for the set, but not each. I do have a set if you are interested.

[P51Mstg]

Matt is right on... I can say $60 for the set is very reasonable. Its some interesting reading.

Mark H

[K5DH]

Didn't they try some kind of "snatching" with P-38s? Or am i thinking of glider towing?

[leo]

They are a pretty informative read. I bought them new and they were only $12 or so back then (1982).
Since the original magazine was intended for the aircrews it is full of target and strike pictures along with a lot of interesting "proposed" equipment and methods.
The P-47 they show had a harness attached to the prop shaft (prop removed) and there are several pics of it being snatched and towed behind a C-47.

[rreis]

Didn't they try some kind of "snatching" with P-38s? Or am i thinking of glider towing?

see http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... 0&start=15

and from wikipedia

Still another P-38E was used in 1942 to tow a Waco troop glider as a demonstration. However, there proved to be plenty of other aircraft, such as C-47s, available to tow gliders, and the Lightning was spared this duty.