WWII Brodie landing system for Army L-4
Don Baker
This is a history question about WWII Army Aviation, and if this is not
the best place to ask it, can anyone tell me where I can inquire
elsewhere?
I would like to know where I could locate any other pilots who were
trained, as I was, on the Army's Brodie System of landing and taking off
L-4 Cubs from cables strung on LSTs. I would also just like to learn more
about how this system was developed and used.
I was an Army liaison pilot during World War Two, trained to fly L-4 Piper
Cubs in support of Army artillery, as an aerial forward observer.
I was one of a number of L-4 pilots who were trained in a unique method of
landing and taking off from LSTs known as the Brodie System. This system
was designed to be used during amphibious assaults as we island-hopped
toward Japan to end WWII.
The Brodie system was necessary because our L-4's only had limited range,
and if they were launched from aircraft carriers or other ships well
offshore we would use up so much of our fuel just getting to the beach
that we would not have been able to remain there for very long to adjust
naval, artillery, or Air Force fire before we would have had to return for
fuel.
So we were launched and recovered right near shore from specially modified
LST's.
A cable and pulley system was strung down the side of the LST, and the L-4
Cub, with a hook on top, was hoisted up onto the cable and hung from a
loop, dangling in mid-air. The engine was started, revved up, and the
airplane was released, running down the cable to gain flying speed. The
pilot then disengaged it from the cable and flew off on the mission. The
recovery was more tricky: we had to fly the hook on the top of the
airplane back into the loop on the cable, and if successful, were braked
to a stop on the cable, dangling in the air again, and then they lowered
the airplane onto the deck of the LST.
I learned to do this on dry land, in Hawaii, with cables strung from big
beams embedded in the ground. Our practice sessions were popular
entertainment for surrounding troops, especially the time one pilot came
in too high and got his propeller caught in the loop, which left the
airplane dangling from the cable by its nose.
The Brodie System was successfully used in the invasion of Okinawa, and we
were getting ready to use it on mainland Japan when the Atomic Bombs made
it unnecessary.
Can anyone help me to fine other Brodie pilots and/or more information
about the Brodie System?
Thanks,
Don Baker
Felix Morley Finch
On 11 May 1998 00:38:53 GMT, Don Baker <ba...@nmia.com> intoned:
>I would like to know where I could locate any other pilots who were
>trained, as I was, on the Army's Brodie System of landing and taking off
>L-4 Cubs from cables strung on LSTs. I would also just like to learn more
>about how this system was developed and used.
There was a discussion of this sometime in the past few months, which
led to Mr Brodie's son posting something. I think. This is all hazy
memory! There may also be a web site. More hazy memory!
Check dejanews; I'm not even sure it was in this newsgroup. Might
have been soc.history.war.world-war-ii.
Also check search engines. I know I read something about it in a
newsgroup sometime half recently!
--
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Felix Finch: scarecrow repairman & rocket surgeon / fe...@crowfix.com
PGP = 91 B3 94 7C E9 E8 76 2D E1 63 51 AA A0 48 89 2F ITAR license #4933
I've found a solution to Fermat's Last Theorem but I see I've run out of room o
Ogden Johnson III
Don Baker (ba...@nmia.com) wrote:
: I would like to know where I could locate any other pilots who were
: trained, as I was, on the Army's Brodie System of landing and taking off
: L-4 Cubs from cables strung on LSTs. I would also just like to learn more
: about how this system was developed and used.
I remember seeing a magazine article on this a few years ago, most likely
in Sea Classics. I don't know if they have a web site, but your local
librarian might help you locate the article using a couple of Readers
Guides ISTR from the mists of memory as being available for that sort of
thing.
Fortunately, helicopters had come along by my ['61-'82] time, eliminating
the need for the exotic [and IMHO nutso, no offense intended] Brodie
System. After all, aren't most pilots taught to *avoid* wires strung
between towers?
OJ III
Helos, Harriers, and Ospreys Forever
PosterBoy
>On 11 May 1998 00:38:53 GMT, Don Baker <ba...@nmia.com> wrote in message ...
>>I would like to know where I could locate any other pilots who were
>>trained, as I was, on the Army's Brodie System of landing and taking off
>>L-4 Cubs from cables strung on LSTs. I would also just like to learn more
>>about how this system was developed and used.
>
Aha!!! Tell us the truth!!! You were a spook!!!! <G>
Intrigued by the first description I have ever heard of this system, I
went
searching...and found at least two "Brodie system" pilots: Sammons & Hicks.
I don't know how much help the following references may be, Don, but
I would think that contacting Mr. Hicks through the Oakland museum might
be a logical first step.
That the system was designed for (and apparently by) OSS was especially
interesting to me. James Brodie seems as shadowy as OSS, itself.
Anyhow, here is what I've accumulated:
http://www.aeromar.com/tweedrpt.html
From a review of a San Antone meet: refers to film/video and talk by
"Sammons".
http://www.barnstormers.com/98021800.html
1949 BOEING YL-15 SCOUT
Ground Observation / Liaison Aircraft for sale. Apparently, the L-4 wasn't
the
only a/c to try the system!
http://www.t2.com/museum/brodie.htm
This is from an advance promo on an open house (and which is what I
was referring to above as possible first lead.
WESTERN AEROSPACE MUSEUM
P.O. BOX 14264 8260 BOEING STREET
NORTH FIELD, OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, OAKLAND, CA 94614
(510) 638-7100 FAX (510) 638-6530
PRESS RELEASE: FEBRUARY 7, 1998
"THE BRODIE SYSTEM" by HARRY HICKS
March 14, Saturday, 12-2 p.m. Mr. Harry H. Hicks in civilian life a retired
developer of waterfront properties will describe and illustrate his
experiences as a "Brodie Pilot" in World War II. This program was designed
under the auspices of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Named after
the inventor James Brodie the system employed a 300 ft. cable suspended 50
ft. above the ground or water that allowed Piper L-4 and Stinson L-5
aircraft to fly in snag the cable with a large hook installed above the
cabin and slide to a stop with a braking system on the cable. For takeoff
the aircraft accelerated along the cable until flying speed was reached then
unhooked and flew away. The entire Brodie System was assembled into a 9 000
lb. package that could be air-dropped from a couple of C-47 aircraft along
with a crew of nine men. Within 24 hours the erection crew could be ready to
receive airplanes. The system was ideal for covert operations behind enemy
lines. In addition the Brodie System was installed on LSTs running the cable
between two horizontal booms fore and aft along the side of the ship. L-4s
and L-5s could land and take off very nicely with the aid of the Ships speed
into the wind. During World War II only somewhat over 200 pilots were
trained to operate using the Brodie System all with no accidents. It proved
to be a very valuable addition to the war effort.
Mr. Hicks was born in Oakland attended Stanford University and attended 12
army schools in WW II before earning his wings at Shepherd Field Texas. He
then became a "Grasshopper' pilot before being assigned to the "Sphinx"
project at Camp Hood Texas (which included a mock-up of the Japanese coast).
He then was recruited for the Brodie System and well tell us all about it at
his presentation. In addition to his successful business Mr. Hicks is an
acknowledged authority on art, archeology and anthropology. He found the
only known "life mask" of Alexander The Great and the oldest known piece of
bronze. He is also pursuing a serious study of the origins of early American
Man.
The Western Aerospace Museum is improving its Oakland Airport site while
expanding into Alameda Point in a joint venture with the Alameda Naval Air
Museum.
Hope this helps. I also hope you will share any info with RAM.
Cheers.
SEEHAG
The US Army Aviation museam at Ft Rucker Alabama has some info on the Brodie
and the mini LST carrier for L series a/c.
Good Hunting
Craig C.
ba...@nmia.com (Don Baker) wrote:
>This is a history question about WWII Army Aviation, and if this is not
>the best place to ask it, can anyone tell me where I can inquire
>elsewhere?
>I would like to know where I could locate any other pilots who were
>trained, as I was, on the Army's Brodie System of landing and taking off
>L-4 Cubs from cables strung on LSTs. I would also just like to learn more
>about how this system was developed and used.
Don...I have some video of the testing of the sytem using an L-5 on
the Mississippi river during the war. Kinda neat footage of several
traps and take-offs as well as swing and stowage of the a/c. I would
have to dig around in a couple of hundred tapes to find it again.
Think I will over the holiday, as it has a lot of neat 1st Air
Commando stupp on it too.
Craig