The Second World War resulted in the deaths of around 85 million people. Additionally, tens of millions more people were displaced. However, amid all the carnage people demonstrated remarkable courage, fortitude, compassion, mercy and sacrifice. We would like to honour and celebrate all of those people. In the War Years Blog, we examine the extraordinary experiences of individual service personnel. We also review military history books, events, and museums. And we look at the history of unique World War Two artefacts, medals, and anything else of interest.
The Fleet Air Arm’s Solution to the Corsair’s Problem
The Vought F4U Corsair's journey from a flawed carrier-based fighter to a WWII ace offers powerful lessons for businesses facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Through innovative thinking, adaptability, and focusing on process changes rather than expensive redesigns, the Corsair's transformation demonstrates how companies can turn potential failures into remarkable successes.
Vought F4U Corsair, IWM Duxford, Flying Legends 2018
The story of the Vought F4U Corsair’s development and eventual success provides valuable insights for businesses facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Initially designed as a carrier-based fighter, the Corsair’s long nose and consequent poor forward visibility made it notoriously difficult to land on aircraft carriers, leading to several accidents.
Why did Britain use the American F4U Corsairs? The complete story
This situation mirrors a common business scenario: a product designed for a specific purpose that fails to meet critical requirements in real-world application. Many companies might have scrapped the project or invested heavily in redesigning the aircraft or modifying carriers - both expensive and time-consuming solutions.
However, the British Fleet Air Arm developed an innovative approach that transformed the Corsair’s fortunes without significant modifications to either the plane or the carriers. They introduced a new landing technique, a wide curving approach, which compensated for the limited visibility. The British also made several small technical modifications to the aircraft, such as raising the pilots' seat and a new canopy that provided better visibility.
These creative solutions offer several key lessons for businesses:
1. Innovation doesn’t always require starting from scratch. Sometimes, the most effective solutions involve changing processes or approaches rather than the product itself.
2. Cross-functional collaboration can lead to breakthrough solutions. The British solution came from operational experience rather than engineering, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives in problem-solving.
3. Customer feedback and real-world testing are crucial. The Corsair’s issues only became apparent in actual carrier operations, underscoring the importance of thorough, real-world product testing.
4. Adaptability is key to success. Rather than abandoning the Corsair as a carrier-borne aircraft, the British found ways to adapt its used to overcome its limitations.
5. Sometimes, the most cost-effective solutions are the simplest. The British approach avoided expensive redesigns or modifications, offering a cost-effective solution to a complex problem.
6. Training and skill development can overcome product limitations. By focusing on pilot training and developing new techniques, the British turned a liability into an asset.
The Corsair’s journey from problematic design to successful deployment demonstrates that, with innovative thinking, collaboration, and a willingness to adapt, businesses can overcome significant challenges and turn potential failures into successes. It's a powerful reminder that the solution to a problem may not always lie in changing the product, but in changing how we use it.
Businesses can gain valuable insights from military history that can enhance their strategic planning and operational efficiency. Lessons learned from past conflicts highlight the importance of adaptability, leadership, and the effective allocation of resources. By understanding how military strategies and tactics can be applied to the corporate world, organisations can improve decision-making, strengthen team cohesion, and navigate challenges more effectively. If your business is interested in exploring these lessons further, please reach out for a consultation.
Contact me to learn more about how military history can inform your business strategy.
D-Day 75: Daks Over Duxford
Watch our highlights video of the IWM Duxford’s Daks Over Duxford event as part of the 75th-anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landing of June 6 1944. The largest collection of Douglas C-47 Skytrain and DC-3 aircraft since World War Two. Ten aircraft flew sticks of paratroops over to Normandy for a mass parachute drop. We have also published 57 photos from the Daks Over Duxford event.
As part of IWM’s D-Day 75th anniversary week, Daks over Duxford told the extraordinary story of D-Day, uniting the greatest number of Douglas C-47 Skytrain and Dakota aircraft in one location since the Second World War. Synonymous with the D-Day Landings, more than 30 'Daks' descended upon IWM Duxford.
Mass parachute jumps and flight displays took place across the museum ahead of the epic cross-channel flight to Normandy on 5 June. On the ground, D-Day-related displays and activities brought the extraordinary story of D-Day to life.
In fact, 21 DC-3s and Douglas C-47s finally went to Normandy, ten of the aircraft carrying sticks of paratroopers for a mass drop as part of the Daks Over Normandy commemorations across the Channel. In reality, 1200 Douglas C-47s were used for D-Day. As well as the Daks, a P-47 Thunderbolt, two Mk 9 Spitfires and two P-51 Mustangs performed aerial displays. There was also a very impressive flypast by a collection of USAF C-130s and V-22 Osprey modern aircraft.
DDay 75: Daks Over Duxford Photography
Spitfire September
In this post, we review a Spitfire September. First, we take a look at the new Spitfire documentary film. Next, the Battle of Britain Air Show at IWM Duxford, and finally, John Nichol’s book, Spitfire: a Very British Love Story. Tally-Ho!
The 15th of September is Battle of Britain day. It commemorates a turning point in the struggle for aerial supremacy in the skies over Britain fought by the RAF and German Luftwaffe during the summer and autumn of 1940. German daylight raids would eventually cease by the end of October, and Operation Sealion, the German codename for the amphibious invasion of southern England, would be cancelled. It was Nazi Germany’s first significant defeat. A victory won by a handful of daring pilots from across the globe and two iconic aircraft: the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. However, one aircraft would go on to capture the hearts and imagination of the nation. Since 1940, the Spitfire has become an enduring symbol of courage, fortitude, ingenuity and Britishness.
Spitfire – Inspiration of a Nation
My own little September love affair with the Spitfire started with the release of the documentary film Spitfire – Inspiration of a Nation, directed by David Fairhead and Ant Palmer. Narrated by Charles Dance, the film is a biography of both the aircraft and the men and women who flew it. The original music score by composer Chris Roe and mesmerising aerial photography by director John Dibbs work beautifully together. The film was the last onscreen interview given by Battle of Britain fighter pilot and author Geoffrey Wellum, DFC. The film is also the last testament of Mary Ellis, who flew 76 different types of aircraft during the war as part of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). Ferrying aircraft between factories and operational squadrons, the ATA played a vital support role. During her career, Mary delivered over 400 Spitfires safely to their destinations. The film also features a sound recording of aero engineer and chief designer of the Spitfire, R.J. Mitchell, who died of cancer before his creation went into service. Spitfire is a great piece of documentary film-making, and definitely worth the purchase price.
Battle of Britain Air Show
The last event to mark the centenary of the RAF’s first 100 years, the Battle of Britain Air Show was held at the IWM Duxford on the 22nd and 23rd of September, 2018. Unfortunately, the weather on Saturday was extremely challenging with heavy, persistent rain all afternoon. Nevertheless, the event organisers, aircraft owners and pilots did an excellent job. The show told the history of the RAF from its founding at the end of World War One to the modern day. Highlights of the display included two de Havilland Vampire jets, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster), a 617 Squadron flypast (Tornado GR4, new F-35 Lightning II and Avro Lancaster) and the Red Arrows. The show closed with a formation of 18 Spitfires. We also got to see iconic warbirds such as the P-51D Mustang, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Catalina seaplane, Westland Lysander and Soviet Yak 3. Sadly, the MiG-15 was not able to fly due to adverse weather conditions. The Battle of Britain Air Show was a very impressive event, and one I would highly recommend. There’s nothing like seeing 18 Spitfires take to the sky, and listening to the combined roar of all those Merlin and Griffon engines.
Spitfire: a Very British Love Story
Finally, I finished my Spitfire September by reading John Nichol’s book Spitfire: a Very British Love Story. A former RAF pilot, John Nichol knows a thing or two about aerial combat. During the 1991 Gulf War, he was shot down, captured and tortured by Iraqi forces. His book examines the Spitfire’s origins and continued development during the war years when the threat from new enemy aircraft demanded constant innovation. When the Spitfire was finally retired from RAF service in 1957 there had been 47 variants including the Fleet Air Arm’s Seafires. However, the book is really a collection of stories about the different roles the Spitfire played in the lives of frontline pilots such as Allan Scott and Hugh ‘Cocky’ Dundas, and ATA pilots like Diana Barnato Walker. Sadly, unlike the beloved Spitfire, the veterans of the conflict do not endure. John Nichol interviewed around 40 veterans over a three-year period of research and writing his book. By the time it was published only three were still with us. Soon the “greatest generation” will be gone forever, but while Spitfires continue to fly, let us hope they will never be forgotten.