When a Corsair Pilot Destroyed an Aircraft With His Propeller

In one of the most daring and unorthodox aerial combat moments of World War II, Marine pilot Captain Bob Klingman used his F4U Corsair’s propeller as a weapon to bring down a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft when his guns froze at high altitude.

On May 10, 1945, Klingman and his wingman spotted a Japanese Nakajima C6N “Myrt” reconnaissance plane flying at extreme altitude over Okinawa. As the American fighters climbed to intercept, the intense cold at 38,000 feet rendered Klingman’s guns inoperable. Undeterred, he closed in, realizing he only had one option left—use his plane itself as a weapon.

Lining up with razor precision, Klingman flew his Corsair into the tail section of the enemy aircraft, using his spinning propeller to slice through it like a buzzsaw. The Myrt spiraled out of control and crashed. Klingman’s Corsair suffered serious damage—three of the propeller blades were shattered, his engine vibrated violently, and a piece of the enemy aircraft had pierced his fuselage.

Despite the damage and near-stall conditions, Klingman skillfully nursed the crippled Corsair back to base. His incredible feat not only downed a critical enemy reconnaissance plane but also showcased the raw bravery and ingenuity of U.S. fighter pilots in the Pacific.

Klingman was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions, and the tale of the pilot who turned his Corsair into a flying buzzsaw remains one of the most audacious aerial maneuvers in military history. His grit and fearless thinking turned a malfunction into a mission success, and his return to base in a mangled aircraft is a testament to both the ruggedness of the Corsair and the courage of the man at its controls.