"Maj. R. Bruce Porter - Marine Night Fighter Ace"
Maj. R. Bruce Porter flew Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat night fighters
in Squadron VMF-542N during the Battle of Okinawa. Equipped
with a radome on the starboard wing, these Hellcats prowled the
night sky searching for Japanese aircraft that were sent out to
destroy American ships, airfields, and other installations. On the
ground, U.S. radar stations would identify targets on the screen
and vector the Hellcats towards them. The Hellcat's airborne
radar was only really effective when they were within a couple
miles of the target, so the ground radar controller would stay in
communication with the Hellcats until the pilots were close
enough to visually identify the Japanese aircraft. Usually, the
exhaust flame from the Japanese plane would give them away
and the Hellcat would move in extremely close and, still
undetected, deliver a fatal burst of 20mm cannon fire. It took
incredible flying skill and nerve to fly a night fighter, and only the
very best pilots were selected to do this job. Maj. Porter scored a
very rare double night kill on one mission and became an ace. He
is depicted climbing out of Yontan airfield on Okinawa for one of
his night missions.
in Squadron VMF-542N during the Battle of Okinawa. Equipped
with a radome on the starboard wing, these Hellcats prowled the
night sky searching for Japanese aircraft that were sent out to
destroy American ships, airfields, and other installations. On the
ground, U.S. radar stations would identify targets on the screen
and vector the Hellcats towards them. The Hellcat's airborne
radar was only really effective when they were within a couple
miles of the target, so the ground radar controller would stay in
communication with the Hellcats until the pilots were close
enough to visually identify the Japanese aircraft. Usually, the
exhaust flame from the Japanese plane would give them away
and the Hellcat would move in extremely close and, still
undetected, deliver a fatal burst of 20mm cannon fire. It took
incredible flying skill and nerve to fly a night fighter, and only the
very best pilots were selected to do this job. Maj. Porter scored a
very rare double night kill on one mission and became an ace. He
is depicted climbing out of Yontan airfield on Okinawa for one of
his night missions.
L/E of 550 prints
26 x 22.5 inches
Signed by Marine ace Col. Bruce Porter and the artist
$85.00
26 x 22.5 inches
Signed by Marine ace Col. Bruce Porter and the artist
$85.00
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
mainly depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We
also deal with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are
from all the top national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of
our prints are signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking
for a specific plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be
reproduced without their consent.
reproduced without their consent.
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