Did the FAA sqns (NAS 1835 in particular) training at NAS Brunswick, Maine, do weapons training? Written info seems to imply was just low level and simulated carrier landing training (maybe some gunnery training ) Photos I’ve found show the Corsair IIs (1As) clean. Did they train with drop tanks or bombs (Brewster racks)? Also, when did the 3 vents get added to the aircraft? (from JT*** on) I have a photo of JT676 (5P), and it does not have the vents.
I have Norman Hanson’s book ‘Carrier Pilot’. He doesn’t mention any training with bombs stateside. He wasn’t based in Maine of course.
He described how they they learned the art of ground strafing much later. In action they mostly escorted the Avengers and Barracudas, suppressing flak and shooting up any planes on the ground.
Of course that isn’t to say it never happened.
As far as I can tell all FAA pilots that flew US aircraft were trained at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, Brunswick Maine, or Squantum Mass. At least the early sqns were shipped to the “colonies” and trained on the aircraft, then pilots and planes were shipped to the UK. Later, conversion sqns were based in the US and crews were rotated through with instructors staying. I found info on 1835 and 1837 sqns and they just mention routine formation flying, combat tactics (dogfighting?), land based carrier landing practice, and actual carrier quals on USS Charger down in the Chesapeake Bay area (? what I’ve read Charger did not venture out from there often.) Photos I’ve seen of the Corsairs in New England are all clean. Would think they got SOME training with bombs and drop tanks before being sent over Norway. (not a great time for “What does THIS button do?” )