Coronado shoots down Betty

Baldeagle · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2015 2:27 pm

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

(I think it's a Betty?)

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Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7821

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

Rick65 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:58 pm

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 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7821

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 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2015 11:39 pm

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 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2015 8:42 am

Mark Allen M wrote:

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 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:57 am

This would be great subject matter for some aviation art!

JOMiller · **Joined:** Mon May 30, 2011 8:27 am **Posts:** 321

Is the Coronado BuNo known?

maxum96 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2015 12:00 pm

Mark Allen M wrote:

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.

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7821

maxum96 wrote:

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 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7821

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 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:31 pm

"altitude advantage and surprise"

Thanks for the good information Mark.

Kyleb · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2015 9:43 pm

Rick65 wrote:

"altitude advantage and surprise"

Richthofen would be proud...

Rick65 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:24 pm

And Mark too, so close to his post footer.

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Coronado shoots down Betty

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