Warbird Information Exchange

These are a few pictures from my late grandfathers collection, taken during his time in VF-83 aboard the Essex. I've been trying to get around to scanning them for some time now. As I get them done, I'll share those that may be of some interest to you all.

Enjoy,

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."

Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing. Neat to see other facits of life aboard ship preserved.

Also found interesting to see how they store their Hellcat drop tanks hung up along the perimeter bulkhead.

Thanks again

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Bounce passes off the Hellcat not allowed.....

M

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Mark Morris

This would make a great museum display.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

They're going to need more than one ball if they leave the door open like that...

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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Amazing series, Curtis! Sharing stuff like this is one of the greatest things about the WIX. Life aboard ship and on combat air bases around the world somehow always became a little part of home.

Scott

That explains some of the odd battle damage, which looked like the a/c had been hit by a basketball...


Robbie

Neat to note the wing tanks strapped to the wall- Also, is the a Corsair or Dauntless way back there?

Robbie

Reminds me of the three people I have met who served on the ESSEX.
One was an AC Mech. during WWII- said they pushed AC straight off the deck if they landed during a strike recovery with:
1. damaged windescreens in the bulletproof glass sections
2. Jugs missing and/or were puking oil

The other fellows were two Corsair pilots during Korea.
I got Joe McPhail's autograph at LSFM but I wasn't thinking in those terms when I met the NICEST docent at Silver Hills, MD.

I am sending this to the AC Mech's son to see if he can pick out his Dad from the crowd.
Many thanks for posting!

SPANNER

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Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.

The wings did not fold on a Dauntless. I would say Corsair.
Rich

I learn something new all the time on here...I don't know why, but I never realized before that the wings on a Dauntless don't fold. Thanks for the info!

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I'm looking for that buried Corsair(s) that I can dig up, pressure wash, and fly!

I am thinking Helldiver in the background.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

My mistake- I thought there was one of the Dauntless'(or one of the other dive bombers/torpedo bombers) which had folding wings. Was the Corsair the only one with wings which folded straight up like that?

Robbie

Robbie-

The SB2C Helldiver also had upward folding wings.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

Thanks for the interest and comments.

Personally I've always liked these particular photos. I wasn't really sure how much interest they would generate here, as the main focus is not on aviation.

That being said, I have many more photos of the men of CVG-83 and the Essex in everyday life. Many of these photos show no obvious aviation connection. I do feel however that they do deserve to be seen. With your approval I would like to post them here with the others on the main WIX page. I've got some great aircraft and ship shots as well.

As for the aircraft in the background, it could be a Helldiver or a Corsair, as both types were on board at the time. More photos of them later.

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Curtis Block

I've seen too many airplanes destroyed by the term "Static Restoration."