While Carrier Divisions 1, 2, and 5 were conduction the Hawaiian Operation, Carrier Division 4 was assigned to support Japanese operations in the Philippines. At the time 4th CD was comprised solely of the light carrier Ryujo (Shoho would soon join as the Division’s second ship). Ryujo was equipped with a mix of B5N1 and B5N2 Kankō and A5M4 “Claude” fighters. Seen here are a pair of Ryujo Kates passing by Mayon Volcano in the Philippines on 12DEC41. The nearer Kate is a B5N1, further is a B5N2 with the characteristic narrower cowling. “D-301” wears a yellow fuselage stripe and three yellow command stripes on her tail, denoting the aircraft of Ryujo’s Hikotaichi LT Murakami. The photo appears to show both aircraft wearing a two-tone segmented upper camo scheme, but profiles only depict Ryujo’s Kates with a dark green camo. The inscription reads, “Near Muyon Fire Mountain Legaspie 16-12-12”.One of Akagi’s Kates seen over Rabaul on 20JAN42, carrying an 800 kg bomb.Ryujo’s Kates again, this time seen over Sumatra in February 1942 with empty bomb racks. Again, these are a mix of types, a B5N2 with a narrower cowling in the foreground with a B5N1 behind. The caption reads, “The ship burns after being hit directly. ‘Banga’ Strait (someone who can escape from Singapore) 17-12-13”.The Kido Butai (less Kaga) departs for “Operation C” (the Indian Ocean Operation) on 26MAR42, seen from the flight deck of Akagi.Seen recovering aboard Akagi on 09MAR42 after the raid on Trincomalee, Ceylon, these two photos show the B5N2 Kate of observer LCDR Misuo Fuchida, pilot LT Mitsuo Matsuzaki, and radioman PO1 Tokunobu Mizuki. Fuchida led the Pearl Harbor Raid from this same aircraft which was marked with red tail surfaces and three yellow command stripes for easy recognition in the air. While the dark green camouflage was fresh at the time of the Pearl Harbor Raid, it has flaked badly in the ensuing months.Another Akagi Kate seen during the Indian Ocean Operation, this is the Kankō piloted by LT Jinichi Goto. AI-308 would be marked with a single yellow command stripe below the tail codes, here obscured by the wing. The aircraft is carrying an 800 kg bomb for use against land targets and also shows pealing of the upper surface dark green camo paint.A torpedo-armed Kate is seen on the flight deck of Zuikaku during the battle of Santa Cruz on 26OCT42. Visible are the yellow stripes applied in September 1942 to the leading edges of the wings as an aid in identifying approaching aircraft.A second photo showing a Kate lifting off the flight deck of Zuikaku. Many sources cite this photo as being taken during the Pearl Harbor Raid, but given that the sun appears to be directly overhead like the previous photo Santa Cruz seems more likely. In any case, this is a typical launch sequence as Kates leave the flight deck in rapid succession.No doubt about this one as a pair of Zuikaku Kates leave the area after launching their torpedoes at USS Enterprise (CV-6). In the background is the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57), who set a record which still stands to this day – 26 Japanese aircraft were claimed to have been shot down by South Dakota’s gunners, although this was later confirmed to have “only” been 13 by all the screening ships. In any case, fast battleships became an integral part in USN carrier task force screens to provide anti-aircraft protection for the remainder of the War.60 kg bombs are seen on the apron and loaded onto this B5N2, the Kate could carry up to six of these. Imperial Japanese Navy bombs were painted a light gray-green while Imperial Army bombs were generally black.IJN armorers are seen adjusting the sway braces to a 60 kg bomb.A Type 91 aerial torpedo is maneuvered into position under a Kate of the Tateyama Naval Air Group. This view shows details of the loading cart.A torpedo in place underneath a Kankō, note the retaining straps and sway braces.
On 08DEC41 Tokyo time the Japanese began the “Hawaiian Operation”, known to Americans as the Pearl Harbor Raid. By this time the Imperial Japanese Navy had replaced their B5N1 Kankō with the improved B5N2, and the A5M4 “Claude” with the superb A6M2 Zero on the large carriers, although both types soldiered on aboard some of the smaller carriers of the 3rd and 4th Divisions. Here a B5N2 is seen launching aboard Akagi to the cheers of the deck crew while a formation of nine other aircraft is just visible in the skies above, some references indicate this photo was taken during the raid on Ceylon on 05APR42.A still from a Japanese newsreel shows a Kankō launching from Shokaku during the Hawaiian Operation while another gains altitude in the distance.A Shokaku Kate is seen climbing out over Kaneohe Naval Air Station with empty bomb racks while hangers blaze in the background. Carrier Division 5 (Shokaku and Zuikaku) were relatively new to the fleet and had not trained extensively in shallow water torpedo attacks, therefore they were assigned to bomb airfields and shore installations during the Pearl Harbor Raid. Shokaku’s Kates were to attack Kaneohe NAS and Ford Island.A group of Kates with empty bomb racks gather for the return flight back to Shokaku. Shokaku Kates wore a dark green mottle over a gray-green base. Markings were a single white fuselage stripe and red tail codes beginning with “EI-“ prefixes, (“E” = 5th Carrier Division, “I” = first ship).Zuikaku’s Kates were assigned to bomb Hickam Field. Zuikaku’s Kates were reassigned from Kaga shortly before the ships left from Japan and several show signs of a hasty repainting of their markings. Upper surfaces wore a solid dark green with the vertical tail painted brown. Zuikaku’s markings were two white fuselage stripes and tail codes beginning with “EII-“. This Kate is seen during the raid above Hickam Field with ships along Battleship Row burning in the background.A clear view of a Kate from Hiryu carrying a special 800 kg bomb adapted from a 16” armor piercing projectile which was used to attack ships moored along Battleship Row. Hiryu’s Kates were camouflaged with a dark green over gray-green mottle, in the case of BII-307 this mottling extends to the folding section of the wing undersurfaces. Hiryu’s aircraft were marked with two blue fuselage stripes and tail codes beginning with “BII-“, signifying her position as the second ship of the 2nd Carrier Division. A close-up of the cowling of one of Akagi’s Kates during the Pearl Harbor Raid showing details of the aiming lines on the upper surfaces as well as the maintenance servicing stencil on the port side.A pair of Kates from the aircraft carrier Kaga seen over Pearl Harbor. These Kates were painted with solid dark green upper surfaces and brown vertical tail surfaces. Kaga was the second carrier of the 1st Division, her aircraft were marked with a pair of red fuselage stripes and tail codes beginning with “AII-“. A close examination of this photo shows the aircraft in the foreground only carries the numbers “352” on her tail, maintenance crews have not gotten around to painting the prefix at the time of the raid.One of Kaga’s Kates during the raid, black smoke is rising from Hickam field below while the white smoke is from Battleship Row. Note the flak bursts above the harbor.LT Mimori Suzuki led the last section of six torpedo bombers from Kaga which attacked during the first wave. By then the element of surprise was wearing off and American anti-aircraft fire hit his Kate in the torpedo. This photo shows the wreckage of his Kate being recovered. Visible on the underside of the port wing, the last two numbers of the Kate’s tail code (AII-356) can be seen. These were applied to Kates of the 1st and 2nd Carrier Divisions to aid observers evaluating torpedo training before the Raid.
The Nakajima Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber (kankō) made its first flight in January 1937. The B5N1 version was powered by a nine-cylinder Nakajima Hikari 2 radial engine which produced 700 horsepower for take-off. The prototype featured Fowler flaps and hydraulic wing-fold mechanisms, but these were removed at the request of the Imperial Navy to make the aircraft easier to maintain. Pictured is Ko-345 assigned to the Naval Air Technical Arsenal for trials.Kankō B5N1 Ka-302 of the Kasumigaura Kokutai showing details of the wing fold and standard anti-glare paint on the cowling. The Kate was designed to carry either bombs or a torpedo. This aircraft is fitted with bomb racks for the level-bombing role.Ka-310 being re-positioned by ground crewmen. The Type 97 was assigned to carrier air groups as well as land-based units.Another Kasumigaura Kokutai B5N1, Ka-320 is seen climbing out while retracting her gear. Overall finish is natural Aluminum with black tail codes. The Kasumigaura Kokutai was a training command, these B5N1s are unusual for having unpainted tail surfaces.Seen over the wing of another Type 97, Ka-310 now sports the more common red tail surfaces applied to uncamouflaged B5N1s.Kasumigaura Kokutai B5N1s seen on 18APR42 in the immediate aftermath of the Dolittle Raid. The Kokutai had received orders to arm their aircraft and sortie to find the American carriers, but the orders were rescinded before the aircraft could launch.Ie-312 is seen outside a hanger at Hiyakurigahara Air Base with a Yokosuka K5Y “Willow” trainer in the background.This perspective shows the bomb racks fitted to the B5N1 to advantage, one loadout option was six 60 kg bombs. Yo-335 was assigned to the Yokosuka air group in 1939.In 1938-39 the aircraft carrier Soryu participated in strikes against the Chinese mainland, her Kankō being very active in the level-bombing role. Here W-323 is seen from another Type 97 with her wheels and tailhook down, ready to recover aboard Soryu. The “shark fin” seen on the wing in the foreground is a gear down indicator which gave the pilot visual confirmation of the position of the landing gear.Something which has caused much confusion is this photo of a B5N1 loaded with a torpedo, seen with a carrier island covered in crewmen’s hammocks in the background. The island is to port, indicating the ship is either Akagi or Hiryu, the hammocks were fitted to catch shell splinters when combat was expected. However, both carriers had replaced their B5N1s with the improved B5N2 Kankō in time for the Pearl Harbor raid and were lost in June 1942 at Midway, but the dark camo with yellow wing stripes on this B5N1 indicates a post-September 1942 time frame. While there are various claims regarding this photo in references and on the Internet, it is almost certainly a still from the wartime movie production “Hawaii / Battle of Malaya”.A Type 97 over China with a pair of Yokosuka B4Y Type 96 “Jeans” in the background. The Kate is seen in a field-applied green and brown segmented camouflage scheme. For those interested in obscure trivia, the Jean is technically a Battle of Midway aircraft. Eight Jeans operated from the light carrier Hosho as part of the Main Body, and one of them took the famous photos of the damaged aircraft carrier Hiryu adrift after the battle.B5N1 Kankō of the land-based 14th Air Group is seen over China. Shore-based units in China painted their Kates in green and brown segmented schemes and were used as level bombers. The limited Chinese opposition did not reveal the liabilities of the Type 97s limited defensive armament nor lack of self-sealing fuel tanks.KaSu-315 is a B5N1 assigned to the Usa Naval Air Group during 1943-44. This Kankō wears dark green upper surface camouflage and yellow wing identification stripes. As the war dragged on Kates of all types were increasingly relegated to second-line duties such as anti-submarine patrol.Ku-320 is an interesting aircraft and something of a mystery. Her paint and markings indicate she was photographed after September 1942. The inscription on her fuselage is illegible in this photo, but is most likely a Hokaku donation inscription. The significance white square background to her fuselage Hinomaru has been described in various ways. Most Japanese references just note its presence without attempting to assign a meaning.
During the Second World War the British deployed several offshore fortifications to help defend the Thames and Mersey estuaries from German incursions. The British Army and Royal Navy each fielded their own distinct designs, both versions were named Maunsell Forts after their designer, civil engineer Guy Maunsell.The forts were built at shipyards and deployed by towing them out to sea and then flooding their support structures, the towers resting on the shallow sea floor. The Army forts were constructed using steel lattice structures. (IWM)The Army forts were arraigned in a circular formation. A central command tower was surrounded by gun towers, each equipped with 3.7 inch anti-aircraft guns. An additional structure held a searchlight platform. The towers were interconnected by catwalks.An interesting view of one of the tower networks as seen from a supply boat. The tower to the left in the photo has pilings visible for a boat to come along side and an outrigger used to hoist supplies.A second view from a supply boat showing the towers to advantage. The British Army built six forts in total, three defending the Thames and another three defending the Mersey. The Army forts were credited with downing a total of 22 German aircraft and 30 Buzz Bombs during the war.Maunsell designed something completely different for the Royal Navy, although the mission was the same. The Navy design was constructed from steel and concrete and resembles the superstructure of a ship, it featured a large concrete footer to anchor it to the sea floor. Four Royal Navy forts were built.A rather dramatic, although intentional, view of a Royal Navy Maunsell Fort being launched. One side was flooded first and this side was equipped with a concrete bumper to protect it from damage when it impacted the sea floor. The platform would level out as the remainder flooded. Note the platform is fully manned while all this is going on, the crew can be seen gathered around the gun to left of the photo. The Navy fort at Tongue Sands was credited with sinking a German E-boat.After the war the crews were rotated ashore, but the platforms were maintained until the 1950s after which they were abandoned. Several still remain in place today and they have attracted squatters along with several pirate radio stations. Their locations offshore have resulted in rulings that British courts have no jurisdiction over them so they are in a special sort of legal limbo.
The IRIS Shahid Bagheri (C110-4) is a naval vessel operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy and is often described as a drone carrier by the press. Her military capabilities are exaggerated by Iran and dismissed in the West, but the concept behind the design has several proponents in naval circles and has been discussed for many decades.The Shahid Bagheri is a conversion of the MV Perarin, a South Korean-built container ship. The Perarin is 790 feet (241 meters) in length and displaces 42,000 tons, roughly the size of WWII era aircraft carriers. Container ships are simple in design. The living quarters for the crew are contained above decks within the prominent superstructure, most of the interior of the hull is divided into large holds for storing shipping containers and more containers can be transported on the deck. Propulsion is provided by large maritime diesels which are optimized for reliability and fuel efficiency. Double-hull construction allows for trimming and makes the ship resistant to damage. An excellent explanation of container ship design is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JebcH4_LVEU&t=456sMilitary planners have advocated converting container ships as expedient and cost-effective force multipliers for use in an emergency. Weapons and sensors can be modularized, potentially making any ship with open deck space into a warship at short notice. One example of this is the SS Atlantic Conveyor, a container ship pressed into service as an aircraft transport by England during the Falklands War in 1982.The United States currently operates several converted ships in support roles. USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) and Comfort (T-AH-20) are former tankers converted into hospital ships. Pictured is USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3), a Mobile Base Vessel derived from a commercial tanker design. The USN and USNS operate several similar ships which are designed to provide support for forward operating forces.Iran has also embraced this concept as a way to field naval forces despite their limited shipyard capacity. This is another conversion, the IRIS Shahid Mahdavi weighing in at 36,000 tons with eight anti-ship missile launchers on her deck. Iran has a history of using converted merchant ships in the Red Sea to support Republican Guard smuggling operations and as “tattletales” to provide targeting data on international shipping to their Houthi proxies in Yemen. History of Houthi shipping attacks in the Red Sea here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2024/03/20/houthi-attacks-in-the-red-sea/The Shahid Bagheri is a unique conversion intended to emphasize the use of drones and helicopters. Despite Iran’s complete lack of VSTOL or STOL aircraft, the Bagheri has an angled flight deck and ski jump ramp. A single small elevator is provided but its positioning raises more questions than it answers. A large hatch allows access to a least one of the internal holds amidships, which is claimed to be capable of housing up to thirty small speedboats or maritime drone boats. A view of the flight deck from the superstructure with a sampling of drones and helicopters on display for the Iranian press corps. There is some evidence of provisions for arresting gear visible in this photo but there are no wires rigged and it is unclear if these are actually serviceable.The decision to retain the large container ship superstructure is questionable, a smaller offset superstructure would clear up the approach to the flight deck and eliminate the need for the angled deck extension to port. The existing island would be a dangerous source of turbulence at the worst possible time, right before an aircraft recovers on the flight deck. Visible in this photo are eight anti-ship missile launchers and a pair of containers mounted to the deck behind the superstructure.The interiors of container ships are divided into large open holds. During conversion these could be put to a wide variety of uses for cargo, maintenance, or personnel quarters. One interior space shown to the Iranian press was this small hospital ward.An unusual, perhaps unique, interior space is this soccer field for the crew.IRIS Shahid Bagheri was reportedly underway in the Gulf of Oman when the latest rounds of strikes began on 28FEB26. She would have been a priority target for U.S. Navy assets operating in the region, and early reports indicate she was one of eleven Iranian naval vessels hit during the opening hours of Operation Epic Fury. At the time of this writing no bomb damage assessment photos have been released that I can find. Claims of her sinking in open sources may be exaggerated, but it is very likely that she was disabled.
UPDATE: On 05MAR26 CENTCOM released drone footage of a strike on the IRIS Shahid Bagheri (C110-4). The U.S. claims are that the Bagheri was struck which can be clearly seen in the footage, but she is not officially claimed to have been sunk at this point so her ultimate fate has not been revealed. The date of the strikes and location of the ship were not disclosed, so it is unclear if this is the initial strike reported on 28FEB26 or a subsequent action. The following are screenshots from the drone footage.
The first screenshot shows Bagheri drifting in a calm sea, underway but not making way. No drones or aircraft of any kind are visible on her decks, reports of her launching drone swarms and ballistic missiles in the civilian press may be exaggerated.Bagheri was struck by two large weapons, presumably a pair of 2,000-pound bombs but that is speculation on my part. The video shows at least two of her hatch covers being blown off from the first impact, as well as the large door in the side of the hull. This strike started mass conflagrations in her cargo holds.The second weapon appears to have impacted the superstructure, large sections of which can be seen falling into the sea to the right of the frame. Fires started by the first impact can be seen raging amidships. Even if the Bagheri did not sink from these strikes it is doubtful her fires could have been brought under control and it is likely she burnt out.
By the beginning of 1945 the Japanese Army had begun preparations for the anticipated American and Allied invasion of the Home Islands. Aircraft of all kinds were being set aside for use for Kamikaze missions, including obsolescent types and trainers. Fearing even this would not be enough, Nakajima was directed to design an aircraft specifically built for use as a Kamikaze. This became the Ki-115 Tsurugi (Sabre).The Tsurugi was designed to be constructed using semi-skilled labor and non-strategic materials. The fuselage structure was made from steel tubing. The cowling was tin with sheet steel used to cover the rest of the fuselage, tail surfaces were wooden with fabric coverings, wings were of all-metal construction.From the outset the Tsurugi was designed to accept any surplus engine in the 800 to 1,300 horsepower range. In the event, all Ki-115 actually constructed were powered by 1,150 horsepower Nakajima Ha-35 radial engines. Bomb load was a single 500 – 1,764 pound (250 to 800 kg) bomb semi-recessed into the fuselage.The aircraft never saw combat, and was unknown to Allied intelligence until after the Japanese surrender. Four were taken to America after the war for evaluation but there is no known record of any U.S. test flight. Here is an example serving as a “gate guard” at an unknown facility after the war. The lack of shock absorbers on the wheel struts made ground handling difficult, the pilot was intended to jettison the gear once he became airborne.Construction number 1002 was preserved for the U.S. National Air and Space Museum. It was cataloged as FE-156 / T2-156 for evaluation purposes.Here is a series of souvenir photos taken by American service personnel inside the Nakajima Aircraft Company factory at Ota, Japan in September 1945. The G.I.s are exploring the Ki-115 production line.A wider view of the previous photo. The factory was damaged during a USAAF raid on 10FEB45 and never repaired, the factory was essentially functioning as an open-air facility for the remainder of the war.Another view of the Ki-115 production line. Of the 105 Tsurugi produced, 82 were constructed at Ota. There are photos of these aircraft up on their landing gear, presumably these were collapsed by the U.S. forces to prevent any chance of the aircraft being used.A very interesting view of the Nakajima production lines at Ota, Ki-115 Tsurugi on the left and Ki-84 Hayate (Frank) fighters on the right. The Tsurugi in the center has had its Hinomaru and anti-glare panel applied but the camouflage is incomplete, unlike the examples at the end of the line at the left. The topside colors of these aircraft are generally interpreted as a dark green, although each production facility utilized their own mixes as supplies allowed and various browns and olive drabs have also been documented.Not the best quality of photo but it does show the Ki-115 line up on their gear. Especially interesting is documentation of the painting process in progress – the aircraft in the foreground has her dark uppersurface camo in place, the next has the white surround to the Hinomaru and dark camo outline applied, while the third has Hinomaru without the white outline.Another variation in overall appearance is seen on this example. The mottling effect is either surface corrosion of the steel skin or a very thin application of a camouflage paint. Note the tin cowling panels appear pristine. I favor the rust interpretation myself but still have some doubts.A color cockpit photo of Tsurugi construction number 1002 preserved at NASM. Note the basic instrument panel and wooden construction – the joystick, throttle quadrant, foot troughs, canopy frame, and even the seat are made of wood.
Italian aeronautical engineer Gianni Caproni had gained fame during the First Worl War for designing several successful bombers for the Italian Air Force. After the war, Caproni began work on what was to become his most ambitious project, a trans-Atlantic flying boat capable of transporting over one hundred passengers.In 1919 the then 33-year-old Caproni patented his design and began construction in a canvas hanger on the shores of Lake Maggiore. His project was huge – nine wings each with a span of 100 feet (30.5 meters) and a fuselage of 74 feet (22.6 meters). A close examination of this photo shows Caproni seated on the outrigger float in the lower center.The aircraft was powered by eight Liberty V-12 engines, each rated at 400 hp, two flight engineers were to service the engines from positions within the nacelle fairings. The design was to be capable of maintaining flight even with three of the eight engines out of service.The Ca.60 emerged from its construction hanger for the first time on 20JAN21. The intention was to launch the aircraft into the water the next day, but these efforts met with a series of misfortunes. The water level of Lake Maggiore had receded which necessitated extensions of the launching rails. Handling the aircraft resulted in several broken wing ribs which need to be replaced, and an engine starter failed. The Transaero finally entered the water in operating condition on 09FEB21.The aircraft underwent a series of taxiing and engine trails which were satisfactory. Due to its large size and unusual configuration it was the subject of much interest and curiosity at the time. The aircraft handled well on the water, but reportedly showed an eagerness to lift off when taxiing at speed. A fine portrait of the Ca.60 moored to a buoy which shows her overall layout to advantage. Seating for one hundred passengers was provided within the hull, the pilot and co-pilot were seated in an open cockpit within the upper forward hull. Four engines were mounted within three nacelles on the forward wings, four more engines were mounted to the after set of wings.A contemporary illustration on the cover of La Petit Journal showing the Transaereo in flight. Note the artist has taken several liberties with the design as it was actually constructed. The aircraft was celebrated in Italy at the time as the pinnacle of aeronautical engineering.A view inside the cockpit for those wanting to detail their scratchbuilt Ca.60 models.Another interior view, this time showing the rows of luxurious bench seats.The aircraft flew for the first time on 12FEB21 (or 02MAR21, sources vary). Take off speed was a mere 50 mph (80 kph) and the Transaereo reportedly flew and handled well. However, the second flight brought disaster as the aircraft stalled upon take-off and suffered a structural failure when it hit the water. The crew was uninjured but the aircraft was a wreck.The forward portion of the aircraft sank while the center and aft sections remained on the surface. The wreck was towed to shore, where it was determined that while most of the metal components and the engines could be salvaged the wooden and canvas components would have to be entirely rebuilt. While this was considered, costs and political opposition prevented any further progress on the project.Today several Ca.60 artefacts are preserved in museums in Italy. Pictured are several components including one of the outrigger floats in the Museo Aeronautica Caproni in Trento.
A Loire 130 seen above the seaplane tender Commandant Teste in 1938. At 12,000 tons she was a large ship, fitted with four catapults, five cranes, and a large central hanger. She could accommodate six Loire 130s and eight Latécoère 298s.A Loire aboard a light cruiser of the La Galissonière class. These cruisers carried a catapult atop their after six-inch (152mm) gun turret, hanger space for two aircraft was also provided. Visible on the mast is a “range clock” which was used to inform accompanying ships of the range to a target that the ship was engaging in case the target was obscured from view.The battleship Starsbourg with her sister and lead ship of the class Dunkerque moored ahead. These ships were unusual in mounting their entire 13-inch (330mm) main battery forward in a pair of quadruple turrets. This left their quarterdecks clear for a single catapult and hanger for a pair of seaplanes.A Loire being hoisted aboard a Dunkerque class battleship. Note the crewmen tending lines to the aircraft fore and aft and details of the catapult.A very clear photo and an unusual perspective of a Loire in Vichy markings aboard Strasbourg.An overall view of the quarterdeck of Strasbourg showing the general arrangement of the catapult, hanger, and three quadruple 5.1 inch (130mm) secondary battery turrets.A Loire 130 in Vichy markings at the moment of launch from Strasbourg. In the background the Mogador-class destroyer Volta is seen moored to a buoy.A Loire preparing to be recovered at sea. For obvious reasons ships endeavored to maintain speed while recovering their seaplanes. A standard method among many navies of the time was towing a mat to smooth the water while the aircraft was being secured to the crane.A Loire alongside Dunkerque preparing to be hoisted aboard.The catapult and 6-inch (152mm) gun turret on the quarterdeck of a La Galissonière class light cruiser. This view shows details of the catapult mounting and controls to advantage.Several useful details for modelers are visible here of the catapult aboard a Dunkerque-class battleship. The biggest decision for modelers wanting to replicate this type of scene is where to stop constructing the ship!A beautiful view from the quarterdeck of Dunkerque underway in 1940 with her sister Strasbourg following in column behind. In all these photos the French ships appear clean and well-maintained, a beautiful setting for the Loire 130!
An atmospheric photo capturing a Loire 130 being hoisted ashore by a crane. The hoisting cable was attached by the crewman seen standing on the wing, which required a degree of skill and courage during rough weather. In the background several seaplanes can be seen moored to buoys in the bay.A Loire on a beaching dolly. This photo provides a good view of details of the bomb rack under the port wing. Many of these photos show the aircraft with 165-pound (75 kg) bombs in place.An aerial view of a pair of Loire 130s in formation. After the French capitulation the Germans established a puppet French government in the city of Vichy under Marshal Philippe Petain. Under the surrender terms Vichy France was allowed to keep its navy and colonial possessions while remaining ostensibly neutral. The Vichy French aircraft were marked with alternating red and yellow stripes on their tail surfaces as a sign of neutrality, these aircraft also carry the stripes on their engine nacelles.A Loire being hoisted aboard a La Galissonière class light cruiser. In the foreground is the catapult shuttle which will be attached to the aircraft, securing it to the catapult.A Loire on calm seas. What makes this photo interesting is the aircraft is secured to a boom, likely from the seaplane tender Commandant Teste. This was a common method of mooring boats to a ship while at anchor but it is unusual to see a seaplane moored in this manner.A beautiful aerial view showing details of the two gun positions on the upper fuselage and French naval roundels on the wings.A Loire on the hoist, with tending pennants fore and aft. These lines would be tended by sailors to keep the aircraft steady. Compare details of the aft gun position on the fuselage to the previous photo.A Loire ashore providing details of the transport dolly. Two dolly designs appear in these photos, a three-wheeled version seen here and a different four-wheeled type.Three crewmen are visible in this photo. The prominent mast over the cockpit was offset to port and supported the pitot tubes which were used to measure airspeed.The catapult aboard the La Galissonière class light cruisers was mounted on top of the after 6-inch (152mm) gun turret. The crewman seen on the platform are at the catapult’s controls. This perspective also shows the cable connected to the launch shuttle.A pair of photos showing the interior of a Loire 130. These are two views of the same aircraft.
The Loire 130 flying boat entered French naval service as a ship-borne observation aircraft in 1937. It shared a broad design similarity with the contemporary Supermarine Walrus and Aichi E11A “Laura”, performance was also comparable with a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/hr).A Loire 130 being hoisted by a crane with the crew members visible. The aircraft was armed with two single 7.5 mm Darne machine guns in open positions on the upper fuselage and could carry a 165-pound (75 kg) bomb on the struts under each wing as seen here.An unusual overhead view showing the general layout to advantage. All the hatches are open but the defensive armament is not mounted.A Loire resting on her beaching gear ashore while her crew poses for a photo. Normal crew compliment was three, but up to seven people could be carried in the transport or SAR role.A frontal perspective of a Loire being hoisted by a crane shows the strut layout to advantage. In many of these photos the aircraft can be seen carrying a bomb load, such as it was.An atmospheric photo of a Loire being launched from a shore-based catapult. Production totaled 124 aircraft, which was deemed sufficient to provide scouting assets for the French fleet.A Loire in her intended role, running up her engine before launch from the Battleship Dunkerque. Note the badge under the cockpit, featuring a turret with four guns which was a feature of the Dunkerque class.A fine study of a Loire ashore on her beaching gear. Modelers note the unusual design of the ladder.A flight line of French floatplanes and seaplanes on the ramp. The presence of crewmembers visible in many of these aircraft implies an impending inspection.A 130 moored to a buoy, a standard procedure when being supported by a seaplane tender. Note the defensive machine gun in the after fuselage position.After the fall of France in 1940 the Loire 130 was evaluated by the Luftwaffe, who found the type to be obsolescent and did not impress it into general German service. Fuselage codes D1+XA have been applied by the Germans.Another Loire in German markings, this time B1+XA. Modelers note the different style of beaching gear as well as the variation in the radiator inlet faring at the front of the engine nacelle.
WHENEVER ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT BECOMES DESTRUCTIVE OF THESE ENDS (LIFE,LIBERTY,AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS) IT IS THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO ALTER OR ABOLISH IT, AND TO INSTITUTE A NEW GOVERNMENT― Thomas Jefferson
Inch High Guy 