Aces against the Kamikazes

[James A Pratt III]

Ospry has a book out Aces against the kamikazes does have any information on USN ace Norman Mollard? I think he does qualify as one. Here are his claims:
7April 1945 Nick possibly a KI-46 Dinah that was on a kamikaze mission.
14 April 1945 Val a fairly busy day off Okinawa
16 April 1945 2 Vals 2 Zekes and a betty probable during Kikusui 3

thanks in advance

[Pilot]

USN ace Norman Mollard is interesting but I can not find any images of his Hellcat, so the book you mentioned could be interesting

[Buckeye30]

The book is no. 109 in the "Aces" series, Mollard's claims are mentioned and there is a photo of him in his F6F. He is credited there with 6.
He flew with VF45 on "San Jacinto" and their symbol at the time was a white rectangle on tail and top wingtip. A/c number in black on tail symbol.
He no doubt flew what plane was spotted on deck in his flight position.
Nick

[Pilot]

Thank you Nick

[Buckeye30]

Hi Srecko Osprey also did one on Hellcat aces in the "Aircraft of the aces" series ( no.10 , 1996); but Molland not included.
You can see all the different series at
www.ospreypublishing.com
Incidentally the Kamikaze one covered USAAF aces as well as Navy-Marines.
Air Group 45 comprised VF45 (F6F-5/5P) and VT-45 (TBM-3) at this time.
Regards
Nick

[Pilot]

Thanks again Nick

[James A Pratt III]

I met Mollard a few times before he died a few years ago and got a Xerox copy of his log book of this period. He seems to have flown almost a different plane every day, mostly F6F-5 with a couple of -3s. Here are some of the Bu no.s:
7 April 45 72950
14 April 45 72522
16 April 45 71737 push over the side do to damage

He seems to be somewhat of a bullet magnet so to speak:
6 jan 45 72198 ditched do to AA fire and picked up a destroyer
1 mar 45 72364 brakes shot out hits island of CVL when landing
28 Mar 45 night operation pushed over the side do to damage

I hope this of some use or interest.