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Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:20 pmby 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
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:25 pmby 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.
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:28 pmby Smoke2much
Me too Woody. I've met plenty of Stringbag navigators but no pilots as yet. Odd....
Will
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sat Nov 22, 2003 8:29 amby 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.
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 2:41 pmby Wing Nut
Cool story! What's a string bag?
Bag
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 3:07 pmby ScorpiŠ¾n
A Swordfish or the like, I think.
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 3:35 pmby Hagar
[quote]Cool story!
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:15 pmby Woodlouse2002
[quote]Cool story!
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 5:22 pmby Hagar
Excuse my friend Woody. He's pulling your leg. A string bag is a bag made of string. This is a Stringbag.
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 7:53 pmby d0mokun
mmh.. Swordfish.. mmhm.. pilots waving from rear seat airshows.. mhmm.. swordfish.. mhmm
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:09 pmby 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. ::)
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:21 pmby 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
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 9:42 pmby 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.
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Sun Nov 23, 2003 9:55 pmby chomp_rock
Give me a stringbag anyday as well! I never liked american torpedo/dive bombers.
Re: Fleet Air Arm
Posted:
Mon Nov 24, 2003 10:29 amby 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....