F-4U Corsair, SB-2C Helldiver, and TBM Avenger
were carrier based. Patrol aircraft consisted of the
PBY/PBM Mariner, PB-4Y, and PV Ventura aircraft.
The R-4D Skytrain was used for transport and cargo.
Naval aviation strength was 5,233 aircraft, 5,900
Navy and Marine Corps pilots, and 21,678 enlisted
men.
1942. The Battle of Coral Sea caused the Japanese
to abandon their attempt to land at Port Moresby.
Carrier-based aircraft attacked the Japanese task force
and their landing forces. This was the first major battle
without opposing ships making contact.
The Battle of Midway was the turning point of the
war in the Pacific. Japan suffered heavy losses to their
1-3
ANF0102
Figure 1-2.—Ely in Curtiss byplane comes aboard the USS Pennsylvania in the first shipboard landing on January 18, 1911.
ANF0103
Figure 1-3.—The first Naval aircraft carrier USS Langley (CV-1).
