U.S. Navy TBF Avenger air crews being briefed by a group commander, on Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during World War 2. A long line of Avengers parked with wings folded. They start engines and begin to taxi with wings still folded.
Activities of United States Navy pilots at Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii during World War 2. U.S. Navy pilot climbs into cockpit of an F4F airplane with engine running. Right behind him is a tall stand with a seat and a sign below reading:"Carrier Pilots Check In & Out HERE!" A group of fighter pilots, including LCDR James S. "Jimmy" Thach of VF-3, discuss flight plans. F4Fs parked on the flight line. Flight leader (Thach) begins to taxi out and is followed by 6 more. They line up abreast, and then commence an echelon formation takeoff.
Activities of the United States Navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, United States during World War 2. The foremast of USS Arizona (BB-39) is dismantled, five months after the ship was sunk at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack of December 7, 1941. Men working on the ship. Blow torches being used in the dismantling of the foremast.
Standing in front of an F4F with its engine running and the plane captain in its cockpit, Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach, Commander of Navy Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) discusses a planned flight with Lieutenant Edward "Butch" O'Hare, as they look over a map. (This sequence is repeated again for the camera.) LCDR Thach boards his aircraft, as plane captain steps out of cockpit and stows his map. Thach's plane has 3 Japanese victory flags painted below the cockpit. The Squadron's Felix-the-Cat logo is seen on the fuselage.The plane captain helps Thach get strapped in and settled in the cockpit. Thach gives a thumbs up indicating he is ready. Lt. O'Hare climbs aboard his F4F, which displays 5 Japanese victory flags. (O'Hare is the U.S. Navy's first air ace of World War 2.) His plane captain stows his map and O'Hare straps himself in and runs his cockpit checks. He gives a thumbs up indicating he is ready.
LCDR John S. Thach, Commander of Navy Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) is seen flying his F4F (number: F-1) with his wingman, Lt. Edward O'Hare,who is flying F4F number F-13. They fly over Hawaii and environs, with their canopies open. Thach is seen clearly in his cockpit. A change of sequence suddenly shows O'hare flying lead, with Thach flying on his wing. There appear to be only 4 Japanese victory flags painted on O'Hare's airplane. (Note: Lt. O'Hare was the U.S. Navy's first ace, shooting down 5 Japanese aircraft, in World War 2, and was a Medal of Honor recipient.)
During World War 2, while stationed at NAS Kaneohe, Hawaii, U.S. Navy F4Fs of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) are seen making a series of attack passes for a camera mounted in an airplane in flight. They demonstrate attack maneuvers singly and in pairs.
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.