TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

Hi guys

A TBF Avenger of VT-10 (No.45) flown by Lt (jg) Largess from USS Enterprise was attacked and damaged by an F6F Hellcat off New Guinea.

Can anyone please advise the date of the incident, and perhaps the identity of the F6F pilot?

Cheers
Brian

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

Brian,

When you mention New Guinea and USS Enterprise, then presumably in the 21-24 April 1944 timeframe when the carrier was involved in the Hollandia landings.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

The incident happened on April 23, 1944 and the offending Hellcat pilot was LtCdr. E.C. Outlaw, C.O. of VF32, off Langley.

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

Many thanks leendert and George

Another query satisfactorily closed.

Cheers
Brian

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

George,

Eddie Outlaw being an ace, I would be very interested in a source for your comment. I checked my VF-32 records and found no reference. I do not yet have the VT-10 records, and have not looked at the CVG-10 records to see if there is a reference there.

Frank Olynyk.
Historian, American Fighter Aces Association.

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

Hi Frank

Is the name OUTLOW or OUTLAW?

Cheers
Brian

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

Brian,
Sorry about that. It was a typo on my part, now corrected. His name is in fact Outlaw. He eventually made Rear Admiral, and died in 1996.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

Thanks Frank

Was Outlaw an ace when he engaged the Avenger?

Cheers
Brian

PS: I have just Googled and found an entry for him. On 29/4/44 he led eight Hellcats against 36 Zeros, of which 22 destroyed and eight probables were claimed! Five and one probable by LtCdr Outlaw!! How do these claims stand up against Japanese losses?

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

Brian,
As you noted, he claimed 5/1/0 on April 29, 1944 at 0750 at Truk, and a sixth on June 11, 1944 at Saipan. I have no idea how well these claims match Japanese losses. You could check the original edition, from USNI, of Hata and Izawa's book on Japanese Naval Units and Aces; or wait for the second edition coming soon from Grub Street.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: TBF Avenger of VT-10 damaged by F6F
 

Thanks again, Frank

Trust you are well.

Cheers
Brian