Splash One Zero!!!

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:35 pm

Thought ya'll might enjoy this shot.
This is a still from my cousin's wingman's gun camera. You can see my cousin Capt Don Owen pulling up after making a firing run on a Japanese Zero over Kanoya A/F Japan on March 19, 1945. This was Don's 5th Kill making him an ace. He was lost on a CAP about a month later. He was the Flight Officer (3rd in command)of VMF-112 Wolfpack under Maj Hap Hansen on the USS Bennington.

Rob Mears · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:30 am

Never in my life have I seen an F4U and a Zero in the same frame of gun camera footage. The fact that its a cousin of yours makes it all the more sweet!

Do you recall off hand what markings were carried on the VMF-112 Corsairs at that particular time? Seems like it would be a fitting 'ace' scheme for a surviving aircraft, especially with the photo to go with it. Very nice stuff

Thanks Jack.

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:37 am

That is a great shot. Like nothing I've seen. That is priceless to anybody BUT it has to be a Treasure to you. Thanks for posting it.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2005 9:59 am

I thought about putting the screws to Brian R. re the paint job on his FG
but just didn't want the constant rememnder of the great role model I didn't have growing up. The squadron book F4U in Action has a photo of Don's #3 Corsair on the Bennington with the arrowhead emblem on the tail.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:17 pm

you are lucky to have footage of aerial combat that involves a family member!!! how did you get it???? i would deem that nearly impossible to have such a treasure!! best, tom

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:43 pm

Quote:

you are lucky to have footage of aerial combat that involves a family member!!!
how did you get it???? i would deem that nearly impossible to have such a treasure!!

One of the surviving pilot of VMF-112 sent me a print.
It is a cool picture isn't it!
I wish I had one of him over Guadalcanal downing a Zero in his Wildcat!

vanguard · **Joined:** Sat Apr 16, 2005 3:00 am **Posts:** 114

I wish I had one of him over Guadalcanal downing a Zero in his Wildcat![/quote]

I once asked a fighter pilot friend of mine about what it was like to dog fight and shoot down the enemy. he replied "THEY HAVE GUNS TO" and they want to shoot you as much as you do them.

Mike Schneider · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:43 pm **Posts:** 79

Awesome Picture! Thanks for sharing!

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Splash One Zero!!!

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