Recent content by Errolwi

The fact that there are two/three rather makes the point! I don't think Park is diplomatic enough to wrangle NZ G-G, but Auckland International might get named for him (he pushed for its development).

<Cough>enhagen.

<pours one out for Rear Admiral Sir Christopher George Francis Maurice Cradock KCVO CB SGM>

But there were no design compromises in using MPAs to drop stuff off while they are there. I saw a bunch of formal silverware in a P-3 once - if you are going there anyway and you can pass it out the door, why not? There was a lot of fear in the 1930's of hiding bombers as transports.

The foundation continues to the built, good detail, thanks.

Perhaps "the Allies" is the polite translation for the term actually used?

FAA used radar Swordfish(?) to drop flares "behind" the target in the Med I think, not sure of timing. Need to practice with the torp carriers, which I'm sure the practical Kiwis at the top and bottom of the chain of command (many Vilde pilots were Kiwis as they did their training in NZ on them)...

Some explanation in this scanned wartime booklet(?). Neat forum discussion on Vildebeest, Swordfish, dive-bombing etc too. Dave H and James (JDK) are mates of mine, and top blokes. https://www.key.aero/comment/944827#comment-944827

We have Vildebeests (quickly decided that they were only usable at night), not Swordfish. But take a look! https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/109802597-new-bombers-new-zealand The RNZAF had a pre-war display team. https://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Airshow_Display_Teams_Misc.htm

While there are possibly a handful of US torpedoes available, remember that at Singapore the trained, equipped and ready torpedo strike force is...

The alternative torpedo carriers are Vildebeests, which were trained with. They didn't do well. PBYs are good long range patrollers.

Assuming that they PBY crews haven't trained properly on torpedo attacks, I would suggest that they are better used on tasks other than a low-chance highly dangerous torpedo run.

Didn't the USN operate on Hawaii time in the Pacific? Which got confusing for e.g. the Aussies. With Singapore getting the authority to decide late afternoon on the 6th, the earliest reports could possibly come out of Thailand would be the 7th. So easily conflated with Pearl.

This is correct. I'm sure it's covered in more detail in one of Chris's videos. https://www.youtube.com/@MilitaryAviationHistory/search?query=stuka

Depends on if you have planned in advance to delegate conditional authority to execute. The starter pistol is handed over and cocked, but not yet fired. I'm sure senior UK commanders are ecstatic to receive orders that Winston drafted himself, always crystal clear <cough>Coronel<cough>.