Post
by vmf214 » Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:17 pm
hotrodrock wrote:So what type of enemy planes do you shoot down while flying a float plane? Surely float planes weren't very maneuverable!
Name it. Some history:
The seaplane also served as an interceptor for protecting fueling depots in Balikpapan and Avon Bases (Dutch East Indies) and reinforced the Shumushu base (North Kuriles) in the same period. Such fighters served aboard seaplane carriers Kamikawa Maru in the Solomons and Kuriles areas and aboard Japanese raiders Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru in Indian Ocean raids. During fighting in the Solomon Islands, the Navy "Rufe" air aces Master Sergeant Kawai and Master Sergeant Maruyama shot down four American Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters. In the Aleutian Campaign this fighter engaged with P-38 Lightning fighters and B-17 Flying Fortress bombers. This aircraft was used for interceptor, fighter-bomber, and short reconnaissance support for amphibious landings, among other uses.
It is estimated that the Zero's performance was hampered by approx. 20% with the addition of the floats. That's still pretty good.

Positive B/S/T refs: hworth18, coreyeagle48, raiderad6, pickelhaube, JOC, american_grenadier, xddave, tmanthegreat