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The war era VF-19 squadron (nicknamed: The Satans Kittens) was deployed on the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) from July to November 1944.
In late 1944, Allied forces in the Pacific Theater began to experience the luxury of air
superiorty over an increasingly desperate Japanese onslaught. New and dangerous
weapons such as the "George" and Late model "Zero" prototypes were being employed
by the Imperial Naval Arm of Hirohito's forces.
Americans were once again being challenged by faster and more deadly aircraft
in combat. A special Unit was formed, simply called "19" by the war department.
Led by legendary Lt. Cmdr. J.G. Smith and his executive officer Lt. Bill Masoner, "19" was given the task of utilizing a powerful new weapon:The F8F "Bearcat".
After an extended period of getting stateside flyers qualified in the new aircraft,
VF-19 boarded the CVL Langley and began to steam full speed to the Pacific front.
Unfortunately, in August 1945 the Langley received word that President Truman
had deployed the full capability of the "Manhattan Project".
The fission devices codenamed Fat Man and Little Boy had been airburst over the
respective targets of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The war was over and t
he Langley
turned back to the states halfway to the front.
Many speculate the impact that the fearsome Bearcats would have had against
the advanced Japanese aircraft. It was not until 7 years later that the French
learned the full potential of these planes as they sent the F8Fs to their first combat
tour in Vietnam. It is now obvious that the Japanese would have stood little chance.
The Bearcat could take off in as little as 150 ft and climb rate from 0 to 10,000 feet
was as little as 90 seconds.
Even early modern jets could not outperform it.