Question #2 answer
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McCampbell
F6F Hellcat

So it was the hellcat then? thought it was, but didnt wish to push the subject as i know next to nothing about it.

The guy was a pretty damn good pilot!!:grin:

It only mentions his achievement of being an "Ace in a Day" during the Marianna's Turkey Shoot which had nothing to do with the invasion of Leyte. Both of those took part in two different areas of the Pacific.

If you read the book, "Last of the Tin Can Sailors", then you'll know that no F6F Hellcats took part in Leyte because Leyte was a diversion/bluff. And that it was just to try and see what the Japanese Navy was doing. The video I gave, will explain it better than I can at the moment. (Another 4hrs of over time is killing me. :()

EDIT: Here is the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Read over the Battle off Samar section, and the whole thing for that matter. It mentions FM2s, not F6Fs.

From what i can gather the USS Essex was covering the leyte landing and did have hellcats. The MAJORITY of taffy 3 was made of of wildcats and avengers, but not all of it ;)

i have to stop here though because i REALLY dont know that much about it because its not my thing. Only what ive seen on tv and in a few books. Someone else is better discussing this one.

The Hellcats, were used as a cover. Since the Japanese didn't have many fighters at Leyte (5 total maybe!?), the Hellcats never saw action. Just wanna clarify that. :) The air battle that took place at Leyte Gulf was the Battle off Samar between FM2 Wildcats, and the Japanese Battleships.

Seriously FOZ, if you want to know more about Leyte. Read "The Last of the Tin Can Sailors". It's all about Samar, and Leyte. :D :cool:

the battle of the samar sea had the standoff between Taffy 3 and the Yamato task force didnt it? the guys on the USS Jonston (thats spelt wrong aint it?) were true heroes.

yup sure did. I know little about all this theatre which is why i dont really know if it was the hellcat/wildcat.

But taffy 3 was extremely heroic. The USS Johnston did an incredible job along with the USS Samuel B Roberts(??) in causing mayhem and damage to the japanese fleet.

yeh oh by the way i know tones on the pacific theatre so much that i know the japs coulda won the war if not for a few morons at midway

To be honest i dont think Japan would ever of won the war in the pacific, they would of just dragged it out for a few more years maybe? In the end resources and materials ran out and in america they didnt. From start to finish Japan was on borrowed time.

A very commited enemy though and loyal to the emperor of japan. A nasty enemy to go up against, very determined.

thanks to participate guys
it is very very good to see people who loves world war2 planes!
thanks a lot guys and exuse me for my bad english(ah!!the frenchies!!!)
replies:sunday 25th (otober)