Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/EnterpriseBurningHellcat.jpg

Hellcat crash landing

An F6F Hellcat fighter burns immediately after crash landing on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise in November, 1943. Walter Chewning, the carrier's catapult officer, is seen clambering up the side of the aircraft to assist the pilot, Byron Johnson, from the flaming cockpit.

Articles

USS Enterprise (CV-6), F6F Hellcat

Creator

US Government

Reason

A historical photograph that illustrates the dangers involved with Pacific War carrier operations for both the aircrews and ship's crews. The photo also dramatically presents an example of individual courage as the catapult officer steps onto the flaming external fuel tank in an attempt to reach the pilot to help him escape to safety. The action is nicely centered in the frame and foreground objects help give perspective to the object of action.

Nominated by

Cla68 07:05, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

• Support as nominator. Cla68 07:05, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
• Weak support The out of focused stuff in the foreground is kind of distracting and there a whole bunch of noise and haziness. However, it's still a very unique and encyclopedic pic. I'll give more support if a better version can be found (I'm sure there must be a better one around on the web). Jumping cheese ^Cont@ct 07:56, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
• Support. Seeing as this is a unique image detailing a historical event that cannot be replaced, I'd be happy to support and give the technical problems some slack. There weren't any digital cameras in 1943. - Mgm|^(talk) 10:28, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
• Support - Amazing Picture --Booksworm Talk to me! 14:52, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
• Support - Very dramatic and non-reproducible event outweighs poor image quality. --TotoBaggins 20:25, 15 May 2007 (UTC)
• Support - Great! I love it. obviously historical considerations for image quality, but even then, it would be difficult to have much presence of mind to make a "good" shot if this kind of thing happened again. Witty Lama 14:27, 16 May 2007 (UTC)
• Support Wow. Definitely shows the dangers of carrier operations--and with stunning drama, too! Again, as noted above, the historical significance and inability to recreate this photo makes up for its technical flaws. Wikipediarules2221 07:55, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
• Support Amazing photograph Electricmoose- Electrifying ^talk 18:53, 5 May 2006 16:06, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
• Support This photo is hot (no pun intended:) TomStar81 (Talk) 09:47, 22 May 2007 (UTC)

Promoted Image:Burning Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat of VF-2 aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) on 10 November 1943 (80-G-205473).jpg --KFP (talk | contribs) 10:25, 23 May 2007 (UTC)