Navy Vengeances & Spitfires, Confirming the details

[Martin Edwards]

Photo by Bernie Delaney via Kim Dunstan
A58-691 still marked as MV510 in the background
It looks like AH9 painted on fuselage side

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[Luig]

Reviewing the great photos and comments on this thread I'll add to the question posed by 'Brendan Cowan':

"...On reflection, I wonder how the Spits would have gone as deck handling trainers on hot day given the Merlin's propensity to overheat.

They must have been fairly short training sessions!..."

As shown subsequently in a great photo afterwards, [Gordy photo: http://www.adf-messageboard.com.au/invboar...-1333958495.jpg ] these aircraft would have been 'manhandled' / pushed around a lot, no engine required; however a brake man would be in the cockpit. Similarly A4Gs were pushed around the deck of HMAS Melbourne. We almost lost one 'brakeman' when A4G 886 went over the side during a storm. He had an inflatable vest which kept him alloat before being rescued miraculously despite the bad weather.

(IMG:http://www.adf-messageboard.com.au/invboard/uploads/post-7-1333958495.jpg)

This post has been edited by Luig on Nov 12 2012, 07:14 AM

[Luig]

The 'Deck Handler' rating was lost when fixed wing FAA aviation was lost. It has re-emerged with the LHDs. I'll guess there won't be much man-handling as shown in this 'bingle barrier' Sea Fury photo aboard HMAS Sydney back in those days. Note the safety clothing.... Note a 'brakeman' is in the cockpit. No that is not the pilot in white shorts and sandals 'supervising'. ^_^

This post has been edited by Luig on Nov 12 2012, 09:40 AM

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[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Bernie, Martin & Phil,

That's a few more pieces falling into place.

I'll add this all to the page at next update.

:D

BC

[Luig]

A4G 877 being pushed around on deck. Pushing on the slats with them even UP (not just down) was actually not allowed in NATOPS however the practice could not be stopped except by some draconian means (due a history of doing so otherwise). At least as Squadron Duty Officer (sometimes around when A4Gs being pushed as shown) I would attempt to educate everyone involved about how to push the slats up slowly and not put to much individual weight on them but collectively push. And I would explain why having 'damaged' assymetric slats was not a great idea in flight. Pilots check flighted the slats by gently pushing them closed (from the centre of their span) and allowing them to drop gently to check that there was no 'hangup'. Some aircraft had to be regularly 'slat checked' even ashore. In flight it became SOP to check slats before ACM for example (along with pilot G tolerance test).

The group pushing are not only 'deck handler' ratings (supervisor would be a P.O. Deck Handler) included are VF-805 squadron maintainers and anyone nearby who can lend a hand. Pushing the slats with maximum number of hands reduced load on them. Pushed aircraft proceed slowly - with slow gentle starts. The brakeman will stop aircraft on command.

Pushing on the drop tanks was also a NoNO! I was not there - NOT ME CHIEF!

This post has been edited by Luig on Nov 14 2012, 03:26 PM

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[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Guys,

I've updated the RAN Spitfire Page today.

Please let me know if I've missed anything.


Cheers


BC