Civil Air Patrol L-bird U-boat Hunters?

[AirJimL2]

Over the years I keep hearing references to L-birds of various sorts being used for coastal patrols and U-boat hunters off the East Coast of the U.S. during World War II. I've even heard some carry depth charges. Can anyone direct me to more information on this topic.

Any Taylorcraft L-2s used in this role?

Thanks,

Jim

[Roger Cain]

Not sure if this stays in the realm of the type, but Wacos (various cabin models) and Fairchilds (F-24W's) were also impressed into CAP patrol service carrying bombs.

[Steve T]

Hi Jim--

Thought this rang a bell. Was almost right! Years ago I was given a bunch of vintage magazines, mostly Popular Aviation/Flying; I thought I recalled something like this in one of them. Close but no cigar: there is an article in the July 1942 Flying (vol 31#1, pp 18-20 and 100-101), on CAP use of light civilian aircraft to patrol for submarine activity off the US coast. Two photos accompany the article, one showing a lineup of Stinson 105s and the other what looks like a Cub on floats. These CAP ops had at the time already been credited with spotting Axis subs for military patrol bombers to go after; such employment of lightplanes was judged a success...but there's nothing in there about actual military L-birds doing the subhunting. (There is a hypothetical ref to light aircraft carrying bombs if necessary, but at least as of the writing of the article it had not happened...at least not for public consumption...but of course MUCH was kept under wraps in those tense days).

S.

[Tulio]

I found this link:

http://www.capmsi.org/downloads/adminguide/Atch8.pdf.

It has references to the patrolling activities of the CAP during WWII.

Saludos,


Tulio

[AirJimL2]

Tulio,

I'm getting a page not found for the link.

Jim

[dj51d]

Here's the corrected link http://www.capmsi.org/downloads/adminguide/Atch8.pdf

I am the CAP Wing Commander here in Florida and I can put in touch with some the subchasers I know.

Matt

http://flwg.cap.gov

[Matt Sharkey]

I am the CAP Wing Commander here in Florida and I can put in touch with some the subchasers I know.

Matt

http://flwg.cap.gov

The first post did have me logged in

[Tulio]

Jim:

I don't understand why the link doesn't work; the one posted by -51, is exactly the same link I posted!

Do you have Acrobat Reader in your computer? Because the file is a .pdf file (Acrobat) and if you have problems opening the file, maybe it is because of that. On the other hand, doing Google search on the subject, you can also open the file as HTML and you can see it with no problems.

If you still cannot see the file, please let me know, I will be glad to copy and e-mail the file to you.

Saludos,


Tulio

[AirJimL2]

Jim:
I don't understand why the link doesn't work; the one posted by -51, is exactly the same link I posted!

Tulio,

-51s works, yours doesn't. Might be the period at the end of yours? Again, thanks for the link.

Jim

[L2Driver]

If you have a copy of John McGuire's book, "More Silver Wings, Pinks, and Greens", there a section deveoted to CAP uniforms. Some of the supporting pictures show CAP members and cadets operating an L-2. From the photos, it appears to be wearing standard OD paint not CAP blue/yellow.

I do have some books showing DC-65's in CAP paint. Not the military observer model but the civil tandem version with the cub-like rear window.

[CAF Wing Leader]

Here is a link I think will answer your question. It is a link to the CAP history web page. Lots of good articles and information about coast watchers and their planes. http://history.nhq.cap.gov/

We are restoring a L9 (Stinson 10A) in CAP colors and markings. Go to our web site to see the progress and the latest photos Eric has posted. www.c4ever.com/keystone

[mustangdriver]

Here at the Keystone Wing of the CAF we have a L-9 that was a CAP sub chaser. It actually will and did carry a bomb under the centerline of the fuselage.