Fleet Air Arm

[Smoke2much]

Did you know that the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm had squadron's of Avengers?  I didn't but I do now on account of meeting one of the gentlemen who flew them.  He says they were unstable, difficult to fly and built like tanks.  Apparently the best part was the enclosed cockpit which his colleagues in string bags missed out on!

Will

[Woodlouse2002]

The FAA called their Avengers "Tarpons".

Just by the look of the things i'm not suprised they flew badly. Gimme a Stringbag anyday.

[Smoke2much]

Me too Woody.  I've met plenty of Stringbag navigators but no pilots as yet.  Odd....

Will

[HawkerTempest5]

FAA Tarpon fact. An FAA Avanger, Tarpon or whatever you call it, shot down a V-1 that flew past it whilst heading back to England. It was shot down by the rear turret gunner as it came over the Avenger and was the only V-1 claimed by the Royal Navy.

[Wing Nut]

Cool story!  What's a string bag?

[Scorpiоn]

A Swordfish or the like, I think.

[Hagar]

[quote]Cool story!

[Woodlouse2002]

[quote]Cool story!

[Hagar]

Excuse my friend Woody. He's pulling your leg. A string bag is a bag made of string. This is a Stringbag.

[d0mokun]

mmh.. Swordfish.. mmhm.. pilots waving from rear seat airshows.. mhmm.. swordfish.. mhmm

[Wing Nut]

You mean the same Swordfish that sank the Bismarck?  I know what one of those is.  I just don't speak British too well.  ::)

[Hagar]

That's the one.
Stringbags didn't actually sink the Bismarck. They damaged the rudder which allowed the RN to find it & finish it off.

You'll be asking me what a Shagbat is next. I'll save you the trouble.
http://www.cebudanderson.com/downdrink%201.htm

[Wing Nut]

You're right of course...  I forgot about that one.  But I have always been fascinated by the thought of obsolete biplanes taking on the pride of the German Navy.  If it weren't for those 'Stringbags' the Bismarck might never have been caught.

[chomp_rock]

Give me a stringbag anyday as well!  I never liked american torpedo/dive bombers.

[Felix/FFDS]

That's the one.
Stringbags didn't actually sink the Bismarck. They damaged the rudder which allowed the RN to find it & finish it off.

You'll be asking me what a Shagbat is next. I'll save you the trouble.
http://www.cebudanderson.com/downdrink%201.htm

Now - is it verified that it was a Stringbag that disabled the Bismarck, or was it a Blackfish?

Enquiring minds want to know....