Grummann F4 F3 Martlet - Black

[Scoop]

I was just wondering who that pilot was. I tried to find out about him, but couldn't find anything. Another question: Did the Martlet fly in the pacific or the atlantic?

[Oberst Hajj]

The Martlet was flown by both the French and Brits in the Atlantic.

[Scoop]

So it never flew in the pacific? Funny thing though, cause I thought the mini was meant to add to the pacific theatre.

[AlgyLacey]

http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/MartletWildcat.htm

No they were deployed to the Pacific Theatre in numbers (see above). I hadn't realised the FAA had so many - figured the Barracudas and Fireflies were the mainstay but hey!

This is a jolly good site for FAA stuff

[Oberst Hajj]

Good find Dave!

[Scoop]

Nice one! Cheers.

[Delnore]

Not sure anyone is still interested, but:

Lt. Cdr. Alan F. Black, RN, commanded 805 Squadron (Fleet Air Arm) in 1941 and early 1942, fighting in Crete and the Western Desert. The squadron was always shore-based except for deploying to and from Crete aboard HMS Illustrious. During Black's tenure, the squadron went though a number of different aircraft models, including Buffaloes, Fulmars, Sea Gladiators, Hurricanes, and Martlets.

It may seem strange that an FAA squadron commanded by a Royal Navy officer was flying in support of the Eighth Army during its battles with the Afrika Korps, but there you are! That's why Black's Marlet is painted khaki: desert camouflage.

I haven't read much of anything about Black himself as a pilot.

[Naharaht]

Good website find, Dave!