Fleet Gallery

Hit Counter

Association of Naval Aviation

Fleet Gallery

This Photo Gallery is of the local members when we were at work in the Fleet.

The 1940's

The Naval Tradition of

"Crossing the Line"

The boisterous ceremonies of "crossing the line" are ancient and their derivation is lost. It is well known that ceremonies took place long ago when the ship crossed the thirtieth parallel, and also when going through the Straits of Gibraltar. Early ceremonies were rough and to a great extent supposed to try the crew to determine whether or not the novices on their first cruise could endure the hardships of life at sea. The custom then, as at present, is primarily a crew's party.
    The Vikings were reported at an early date to carry out these ceremonies on crossing certain parallels. It is highly probable that the present day ceremony was passed on to the Anglo-Saxons, and Normans from the Vikings. As at earlier times, ceremonies of propitiation are carried on to appease Neptune, the mythological god of the seas.
    One who has crossed the line (equator) is called a Shellback. The Sons of Neptune (shellbacks) prepare the ship for King Neptune and the Royal Party's arrival and conduct the solemn ceremonies.
    Bluejackets treasure the certificate which testifies that "in Latitude 00-00 and Longitude xx-xx," and usually addressed to all Mermaids, Sea Serpents, Whales, Sharks, Porpoises, Dolphins, Skates, Eels, Suckers, Lobsters, Crabs, Pollywogs and other living things of the sea," __(name)__ has been found worthy to be numbered as one of our trusty shellbacks, has been gathered to our fold and duly initiated into the solemn mysteries of the ancient order of the deep."
    Members of Neptunus Rex's party usually include Davy Jones, Neptune's first assistant, Her Highness Amphitrite, the Royal Scribe, the Royal Doctor, the Royal Dentist, the Royal Baby, the Royal Navigator, the Royal Chaplain, the Royal Judge, Attorneys, Barbers and other "dignitaries" that suit the party. The uninitiated are lowly pollywogs.
   A Golden Shellback is one who crosses the equator at the 180th meridian (international date line).

USS Bunker Hill 18 March1944

Ensign John Titchener

"Crossed the Line" and more

Ensign Jack Titchener's time with VF-8 1944

Dan Dever's Broken Hook 1945

Dan and his crew had an "OK" wire until the hook broke off of their TBF. This resulted in "catching" the BARRIER on the USS Anzio CVE-57. These photos document that incident in 1945. The Squadron was VC-66.

Garland "Buddy" Bell's Cruiser "Brush-off" in 1944

By: Buddy Bell

As the pilot of a SOC-3 (Scout Observation Aircraft) off the U.S.S. TUSCALOOSA (CA 37), a heavy cruiser, on November 25, 1944 with my radioman, Kucharski, I was instructed to make a rendezvous with. the ship at 1500 hours.

After “Charlie” was two-blocked, I made a normal landing, and taxied up to the sled for, recovery under the crane. The plane rode the sled for a minute or so, but the radioman was unable to secure to the crane hook. Encountering heavy seas, the plane was swept off the sled. Several attempts were made to rejoin the sled, which at this time, was veering close aboard the ship, giving insufficient space to engage the sled without the starboard wing hitting the ship. About this time, the ship's way had decreased, and the starboard wing of the plane was washed against the ship with the engine stopping at the san1e moment. Drifting astern of the ship, an attempt was made to start the plane.

Realizing suddenly that the starboard float was just dangling to the wing, the radioman and myself had to jump to the port wing tip to keep the plane from capsizing. On down sweeps of the port wing, I made two attempts to enter the cockpit for the signa11ight, but each time before reaching the light the starboard wing would dip under, necessitating my immediate weight again on the port wing tip.

While awaiting assistance from the ship, a large wave swept over the starboard wing causing it to go under. From that point on we could not mass enough weight on the port float to keep the plane from capsizing. The plane turned over on its back and remained afloat. Several minutes later, we were picked up by an escort vessel. The plane was a total loss. All confidential matter was destroyed when the plane was sunk by shell fire from escort vessel.

Note in the 4th photo Buddy and his crewman trying desperately to keep their shoes dry. The other photos depict the SOC-3 during uneventful hookups and Cat shots.

Naval Gunfire Spotting (Cruiser Aviation 1945 in the Pacific)

The USS Tuscaloosa CA-37 hove to off the enemy-held bastion of Iwo Jima Island the morning of 15 February 1945, and carried out pre-invasion bombardment and also covered the operations of Underwater Demolition Teams and mine sweeper operations.

The morning of 19 February 1945, Tuscaloosa joined the battleships and cruisers that hit the southwestern tip of Iwo Jima with the heaviest pre-landing bombardment of World War II. Tuscaloosa had four SOC scout planes available for gunfire spotting. Prior to hitting the beaches, pilots reported that the armada of landing craft milling around the mother ships was a most impressive sight. When assault troops neared the beach, Naval gunfire shifted to targets about 200 yards inland. The ships then formed a rolling barrage that constantly adjusted to the troop’s actual rate of advance to clear across the island. Fire Control Parties ashore then requested gunfire on targets. The pilot would spot the shell hits and referring to a Air Plot Chart, he would direct corrections in deflection, elevation, and depression to effect a direct hit.

Buddy's Pacific War Items

After the Okinawa campaign, the USS Tuscaloosa entered Chinese waters in and around the Yellow Sea. Rival governments in China were in turmoil over national party leadership. The Communists, under Mao Zedong were opposing the Nationalists, controlled by Chaing Kai-shek, a friendly government to U.S. forces. Flight operations at this time from the Tuscaloosa were perilous from the standpoint of a emergency landing or accident in unfriendly territory. The Nationalist Chinese government provided a serial numbered “Blood" Chit to each flight crew member to be kept in his flight suit during flight operations. Also, in the pocket were a small US flag and a C-B-I Shoulder Patch.

Translation of the “Blood Chit”, reading from extreme right to left:

Column # 1 American Air Force

Column # 2 Come China help war

Column # 3 Respect our military civilians

Column # 4 One group help protect

Column # 5 (whole line} Chinese government

Column # 6 Aviation community

Column # 7 We borrow (US)

Column # 8 The W 39153 number

Jim C. Robertson, LtJg. USNR Naval Construction Bn

Tinian 1945

"NOSE-ART"

All these photos were taken by Jim while a SeaBee on Tinian building and expanding the runway system on the island.

Dick Beckner's "Smoker" 1948

Dick, as SDO with VX-3, NAS Atlantic City NJ, accepted a mission after hours replacing the scheduled pilot. The primary plane went "down" and he took a bird just out of maintenance. Dick's wingman noticed a thin trail of smoke as they headed out to sea. When he pulled the power back, the smoke disappeared giving the appearance of "all is well". He pushed the power back up and continued out to sea. When time came to transfer fuel from the full belly tank, he had second thoughts and turned back to base. Upon landing the crash trucks were on him as he turned onto a taxiway and sprayed him down. Time in the air less than 15 minutes. The maintenance department told Dick that the plane was a write-off but the webmaster found evidence that bureau number 95184 was sold to the French AF and eventually to the Royal Thai AF.

The 1950's

LSO Duty 1952

Landing Signals Officer. Aka 'Paddles'. A specially-qualified pilot who observes landing approaches aboard a carrier. A pilot's 'passes' (approaches) are critiqued and graded as follows: OK ('okay underline pass') is the elusive perfect pass, and counts as 4 points. OK ('okay pass') counts 3 points. A 'no grade pass' is worth 2 points; A 'bolter pass' (which grade can be assigned whether the aircraft traps successfully or not) is worth 1 point. A 'cut pass' counts zero points and is considered to have put ship, plane, and pilot in danger.

Frank Boushee as "Paddles" 1952

The Quemoy and Matsu Island Crisis Taiwan

1stLt Frank Grant with VMF(AW)-314 deployed to Ping Tung airbase in Taiwan in 1958 for operations.

The 1960's

Tom Durant's T-28 Engine Failure 1960

Just after a simulated low altitude emergency in 1960 north of Munson, FL, the engine died at a few hundred feet above the trees. The "book" says land straight ahead. There were only tress straight ahead. Tom took the A/C from the student and made a "buttonhook" turn back to the only available field they had just passed over. When they came to rest in the dirt, Tom called for the student to unstrap and get out. The student was already a hundred yards from the plane still running. I'd say this was mighty fine work for a "busy day" Tom.

Tom "The Kamikaze Pilot"

In 1968 Tom Durant took part in the filming of "Tora Tora Tora". Replica Zeros, Kates and Vals took off from the decks of the USS Yorktown CVS-10. All were flown by experienced "round" engine US Navy carrier pilots. Here is the Patch that Tom received and a link to the USS Yorktown's "T