Piper Cubs

[willedoo]

Nothing like a good old Piper Cub thread.

 

One of the more unusual uses of the WW2 L-4 Cub was launching and recovery using the Brodie Device.

 

It had some some use on land, but the most challenging use would have been operating from a Landing Ship Tank (LST).

 

LST 776 was the only one to use the device in actual combat. At the invasion of Okinawa, L-4's flew several missions directing artillery, which was quite a significant factor in the outcome of the battle.

 

LST 776 with what looks like a Stinson L-5 Sentinel. L-4's and L-5's were used; not sure if L-3 Aeroncas were.

 

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L-4, possibly being retrieved.

 

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Landing would have been interesting in a bit of a roll, as the LST's didn't have much of a keel. Some reports say landings were made with the cables heaving thirty feet.

 

Found this pdf someone put together. It's got a few good photos and descriptions of the process.

 

http://theaussieaviator.net/attachments/brodie_system-pdf.1649/?temp_hash=4efb8bcb15c67fe29a6c3d0834e72a67

 

This looks like an L-5 at the take-off point.

 

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There doesn't seem to be much leeway between the prop and the hook. It would certainly call for a bit of skilled piloting.

 

Cheers, Willie.

 

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[siznaudin]

Un-bl**dy believable!

 

 

[Guest Michael Coates]

Just had a quick look, gives me some ideas !!

 

 

[metalman]

Very interesting,,,the cub is certainly an outstanding aircraft!

 

 

[willedoo]

This link has a bit of a story about a well known WW2 Cub, and a replica restoration.

 

http://www.warfoto.com/wild_blue_yonder.htm

 

L-4 Cub launching from a converted LST.

 

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Cheers, Willie.

 

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[red750]

Hi All,

 

Found this video on Takeoff Tube:

 

The Incredible Brodie Landing System

 

http://www.takeofftube.com/view/5018/the-incredible-brodie-landing-system/

 

.

 

 

[willedoo]

Found out a bit more on the LST flight decks, first used in the Italian campaign in WW2.

 

The decks were around seventy yards long and twelve feet wide. The framework was timber, anchored to the deck with wire cables; the floor of the flight deck being constructed with steel matting. The runway had a slight rise three quarters of the way towards the bow. The ship's bow had ballast to give the pilot a downgrade take-off run for three quarters of the length and a level deck for the remainder. With a ship speed of ten knots into a ten knot wind, the L-4's were airborne in fifty yards.

 

This link is an interesting first hand account with a few photos.

 

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fF8RlQx_dls/T2IYBUkBBNI/AAAAAAAADmo/0_vX9LggZIE/s1600/3rdID_L4-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://tailspinstales.blogspot.com/2012/03/when-i-landed-war-was-over.html&usg=__Bk05Uf6v5FMMtF-WxUfVogEAHlk=&h=494&w=800&sz=140&hl=en&start=20&zoom=1&tbnid=CBEs1T-dM_YprM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=143&ei=fAYsUctcxJWTBeCQgfAF&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpiper%2Bcub%2Blst%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D1%26site%3Dimghp%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&sa=X&ved=0CFAQrQMwEw

 

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Cheers, Willie.

 

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[siznaudin]

What a great Blog!

 

Beautifully and so entertainingly written - and any Yank who can write "...The officers of the 93rd thought that L-4s were “vehicles,” with the accent on the first syllable..." is simply wonderful![ATTACH=full]1684[/ATTACH]

 

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[willedoo]

What a great Blog!Beautifully and so entertainingly written - and any Yank who can write "...The officers of the 93rd thought that L-4s were “vehicles,” with the accent on the first syllable..." is simply wonderful![ATTACH=full]1684[/ATTACH]

Yes, Geoff, it sure is a very entertaining take on the subject.

 

I seem to remember reading about the initial introduction of the L Birds at the start of the war. There was the usual feuds and rivalry between services; a lot of debate between the Army ground forces and the Army Air Corps as to whether it was transport ( a Vee-hickle, and therefore under the control of the Artillery and other ground forces), or an aeroplane ( under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Corps).

 

I'm not sure if either branch was trying to own the Cubs or dis-own them, as their popularity didn't seem to be well established at that stage.

 

Cheers,Willie.