A MENTION IN AIR CLASSICS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF A TERRIFYING WORLD WAK pair ACCIDENT After reading V39/N5.

A MENTION IN AIR CLASSICS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF A TERRIFYING WORLD WAK pair ACCIDENT

After reading V39/N5, my World War pair pilot, John Colt, called me and told me to anticipate at the issue for any historical material about our squadron. I got the issue and saw the piece about the diary that Jack Kosko a match squadron crewmate, had submitted about his time with VT-23 aboard the USS Langley (CVL-27) We were the horde that was mentioned in the 1 May diary entrance Our TBM-3 Avenger flight set consisted of Ens. John young horse Lyman Fix ARM3c, and Herbert Hawkins AMM3c. The following is my account of what happened forward 1 May 1945.

We were forward our way back from our 14th combat mission from one side of to the other Okinawa and headed for the Langley, not aware that our day was far from from one side of to the other It was always a heart-warming sight to descry the task force come into view and deflect into the wind to take the returning planes aboard. We made our approach upon the port side and came into the channel which meant that we were right through the wake of the ship. We prepared to reclaim aboard the carrier.

I could betray that we had gotten the landing signal as the plane began to very little to the flight deck. We made contact with our usual belabor - no parts fell off! - and felt the tail bent holder make contact with the arresting cable. I relaxed, feeling "Well, we made it between the walls of another catapult launch, combat mission, and carrier landing."

But almost immediately, the plane began to come round to the port side. As it did, I could thinking principle that something was wrong moreover I did not realize what was happening. Those of you who are familiar with the Avenger know that the radioman was not exactly sitting in a fish goblet with a good view of what was going forward Fortunately, I always kept my seat belt and shoulder harness fastened until Mr young horse cut the engine after landing - an action which undoubtedly saved me from serious injury.

Suddenly the port wing dipped down and we were tilted at a soak angle. I could hear the screw hitting the edge of the flight robe - causing a tremendous vibration between the sides of the airframe. I knew my chance of survival was naught for if we went throughout the side, the water press would not allow me to exhibit my side door. It appeared liked we stayed at that angle for a not many seconds and then the plane flipped above Needless to say, I was busy praying for all of us to somehow or other come out of this alive.

The Avenger settl down forward top of a gun soar and the mount equipment began to break from one side the skin of the plane. Remember, we were now hanging upside down! 1 ventureed my head back to avoid injury and prayed that I wouldn't master my body or my leg smashed as the plane continued to establish on the gun mount. I could descry daylight through the broken fuselage and could hear the water lapping against the side of the Langley, Above all, it was deathly quiet for a moment

Then I heard voices from the flight robe "Get those guys out of there before she (the plane) thumps up!" My intercom was not at home so I called down to "Hawk" and asked him about his condition. he said he was okay, still could not get leverage to come by out as he was upside down also. I could not prompt him so I told him I would get by heart out and get some help - his replication was "Hurry!" I released straps and belts, ferocious down to the roof of the plane, useed rightside up, and opened the door by the agency of using the emergency handle. I don't know for what reason far above the Pacific we were still whatever the distance it was too close!

I then stood upon top of the door frame, crawled throughout the belly of the Avenger and leaped onto the flight deck. a certain of the flight deck gang asked me how I was and I replied "Good nevertheless get in there and struggle my gunner out." They crawled athwart the Avenger, got inside and twitched Hawk out. Neither of us were injured moreover we both had some facultys and bruises. At that time, we did not know that the plane was balanced between the fire-arm mount and the antenna. Hawk and I shook hands, embraced each other, and thanked the creator for our being alive. all of this time, neither Hawk nor I had any idea as to what Mr Colt's situation was.

The redemption to bring Mr. Colt aboard began and he has his confess story to tell about. "Wc caught about the number sum of two units wire," recalled John. "Wc bounc probably blew a tire, flipped across into the catwalk. Looking up I saw the white caps of a real rough sea. I spoke with Lyman and Hawk and knew they were okay. an of the ship's crew got a tie to me after I told them I did not want to small quantity into the sea and commit to memory picked up by a Tin Can. Releasing my shoulder harness and holding in succession the rope I did a Tarzan swing onto the hangar beautify Actions and reactions like that can solely happen when one is young and has more self-confidence than timidness."

Bob Thorne, PHOM3c was the squadron office photographer that day. He knew which plane we were in and he was going to take near pictures of us coming in. Little did he and we know what was about to happen. The nearest day he came back to the after ready play and showed me the pictures of the crash. We made several flights after this accident and each time we came in for a landing, the memory of the upside down landing was vivid. Mr young horse was an excellent pilot and the accident was not to be paid to pilot error but befitting to a blown tire.