Monday, June 30, 2025

Vought OS2U Kingfisher. Lt. Ted Hutchins climbs out of his AC after coming back aboard the battleship USS South Dakota off Okinawa. Ensign Stark, in the back cockpit, had just been rescued after his Hellcat was shot down

 


7 comments:

  1. The most glorious day in Ensign Stark’s life….

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    1. He's thinking, "Someday I'll design and build a flying suit, of armor, with weapons; that will be able to take on the best fighters of the day... or if not me my son".

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  2. "...drop me off back at Pearl."

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  3. You can tell the engine is working right by the oil on the cowling!

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    1. The rust all over the body also bespeaks some really sterling aviation maintenance too.

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    2. Aluminum doesn't rust, it's corrosion is white. FWIW fresh water on a ship is usually in short supply...

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    3. Wire brushes are usually stocked by the gross, battleships have quite a large complement of sailors, and this example has a lovely shade of orange for "aluminum corrosion". But maybe it's just even more oil. Maybe Vought had their motors made by Harley or something.

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