2nd LT Richard L. Gillett and the P-35A

[Aristaeus]

In the early months of WWII inexperienced American Airman flying outdated aircraft fought againts experienced, battle tested Axis pilots flying the latest, most advanced aircraft their nations could field. These Americans and their aircraft held the line until men, supplies and the latest design in American fighter planes could arrive in theater bringing the war to the enemies doorstep. This is their story.

On Dec 8th 1941 2nd LT Richard L. Gillett and his wingman of the 17th
Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Corps, descended from gray overcast skies just East of Luzon Philippines. Below lay Lamon Bay and a Japanese invasion fleet. As Gillett descended to 900ft to count the number of invasion barges two destroyers opened up with anti aircraft fire. Just above Gillett was Petty Officer Toshio Kikuchi of the Tainan Air Group who was apart of the CAP for the invasion fleet.
When the Japanese ships opened fire Kikuchi dove to investigate. As Gillett evaded Anti aircraft fire a Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero leveled off from a descent just to the right of Gillett who immediately rolled right bringing his guns to bare. Gillett opened up and the Zero went into a dive with the P-35 in pursuit, Gillett immediately scored good hits and Kikuchi dove straight into the sea. Afterwards Gillett strafed the invasion barges sinking one. Out of ammo Gillett headed for home.
For his actions that day he was awarded the Bronze Star, and is the only P-35A pilot to score a kill during the war. On April 9th 1942 Gillett was among the Americans at Baatan Field that were ordered to surrender, he spent the rest of the war as a POW.

Resource: FLIGHT JOURNAL JUL/AUG 2003.

2nd LT Richard L. Gillett and his P-35A.

Seversky P-35A

Specifications (P-35A)
General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 26 ft 11 in (8.2 m)
Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (11.0 m)
Height: 9 ft 10 in (3.0 m)
Wing area: 219.5 ft² (20.4 m²)
Empty weight: 4,565 lb (2,070 kg)
Loaded weight: 6,105 lb (2,770 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 8,688 lb (3,940 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-1830-45 Twin Wasp radial engine, 1,050 hp (783 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 310 mph (496 km/h)
Cruise speed: 260 mph (418 km/h)
Range: 950 mi (1,530 km)
Service ceiling: 31,400 ft (9,570 m)
Rate of climb: 1,918 ft/min (9.74 m/s)
Wing loading: 27.8 lb/ft² (136.0 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.17 hp/lb (0.28 kW/kg)
Armament
2x 0.30 in machine guns; 2x 0.50 in machine guns; up to 350 lb (160 kg) of bombs

 

[Rookie1]

Very interesting.What a kick in the pants to be there at the very beginning of the war and then become a POW. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Aristaeus]

The AT-12 Guardsman was the P-35 converted to an advanced trainer. It's nice to see one still flying.:eusa_clap

[video=youtube;PszRNY1BYcw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PszRNY1BYcw[/video]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seversky_P-35

 

[Stearmen]

Pineapple AirForce

Sadly, MacArthur seemed to have little understanding of modern warfare! His hopes of holding out were destroyed on the first day when he lost his PT Boat spares, and most of his Air Force, and spares. Valent men, who fought with little or nothing, and of course the tank corp that was poorly deployed. If he had at least listened to the Air Men who begged to deploy south out of range, who knows.