[Nicholas]

I don't want to comment too much on the American pilot's opinion otherwise I might end up in a rant too. This type of derision is common in AVG (Flying Tigers) writings about their RAF counterparts in Burma. Suffice it to say that Franek's observation hits the button.

Books to add to Jim's list are:

'Carrier Pilot' by Norman Hanson (about flying the Corsair - training in USA and BPF ops. Well written and illuminating personal account)
'The Forgotten Fleet' by John Winton (comprehensive classic account of BPF)
'Task Force 57' by Peter C Smith
'Corsair KD431 - The Time Capsule Fighter' by David Morris (fascinating forensics on the FAA's surviving F4U + veteran pilot's recollections of flying)

Two further observations:

1. FAA were first at sea with the bent-wing bird - after USN said it couldn't be flown from carriers
2. FAA Avengers at Palembang were observed being flown "like fighters" and scored victories over Japanese fighters using their forward armament.