Ace For A Day.: Major Archie Donahue distinguished himself during World War II as a Marine Corps fighter pilot and leader. He shot down 14 enemy aircraft primarily flying the F4U Corsair and twice became an ‘Ace in a Day’ by downing five airplanes in one day.
Donahue’s reputation preceded him when he began training a new generation of U.S. Marine pilots to operate the Vought F4U-1D Corsair from aircraft carriers in 1944. At the ripe old age of 26, he was one of the early birds who had fought the Japanese in the Solomon Islands, enough in itself for the newer squadron members to regard “the Old Man,” as they called him, with reverence. Moreover, Donahue was one of only seven Marines credited with downing five enemy planes in one day-a distinction that may have been marred by one being listed as a “probable,” but which he would make up for later with a second quintuple victory. Regardless, it was Donahue’s reputation as a battle-seasoned flight leader that impressed his squadron mates the most. “The guys liked to fly with him,” said Philip S. Wilmot, “because they knew Archie always came home.” “Before each mission, Archie used to put coins in a Buddha on his desk,” recalled Charles H. Hodson. “He said it covered all the luck we’d need.”
In February of 1944, Donahue was assigned to the newly formed Marine Fighting Squadron 451 (VMF-451) at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave. The squadron was attached to the USS Bunker Hill, taking part in raids over mainland Japan and supporting the Marine landings at Iwo Jima. The squadron then participated in bombing missions on Okinawa, just prior to the invasion. Several Marines with the squadron were shot down and killed, and Donahue was made the executive officer.
On April 12, 1945, Major Donahue finally earned the title of ace in a day, personally shooting down three Vals and two Zekes with his F4U Corsair off the coast of Okinawa. This feat made Donahue the first carrier-based Marine ace in a day. Donahue was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions that day, and the award was personally presented to him by Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher.
On the morning of May 11, Donahue had just returned from a flying mission when the USS Bunker Hill was struck by two kamikazes and over 390 sailors and Marines were killed, including one pilot from VMF-451. Donahue survived the kamikaze attack unscathed, but the attack ended the war for his squadron. He finished the war with 14 aerial victories to his credit. Besides his Navy Cross, Major Donahue was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses and five Air Medals.
General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)
Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)
Wing area: 314 sq ft (29.17 m2)
Empty weight: 9,205 lb (4,238 kg)
Gross weight: 14,670 lb (6,654 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 14,533 lb (6,592 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18W radial engine, 2,380 hp (1,770 kW)
Propellers: 4-bladed
Performance
Maximum speed: 446 mph (717 km/h, 385 kn)
Cruise speed: 215 mph (346 km/h, 187 kn)
Stall speed: 89 mph (143 km/h, 77 kn)
Range: 1,005 mi (1,617 km, 873 nmi)
Combat range: 328 mi (528 km, 285 nmi)
Service ceiling: 41,500 ft (12,600 m)
Rate of climb: 4,360 ft/min (22.1 m/s)
Armament
Guns:
6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns, 400 rounds per gun or
4 × 0.79 in (20 mm) AN/M3 cannon, 231 rounds per gun
Rockets: 8 × 5 in (12.7 cm) high velocity aircraft rockets and/or
Bombs: 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg)
#f4u #corsair #F4UCorsair
21 июн 2023
