VPNAVY VP-5 Mercury Capsule Recovery
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HistoryVPW-3 HistoryHistory

Circa 1946

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...The First Weather Recon Squadrons - Weather Reconnaissance squadron 114, VPW-1, was commissioned on 15 Nov 1945 at Camp Kearney, CA. VPW-2 was commissioned at the same base on 1 Dec 1945. An intensive training syllabus was completed using specially modified PB4Y-2M "Privateers". In February of 1946 Aerological officers were assigned to these squadrons and undertook an extensive ground school syllabus of instruction which included aerial navigation, radio communications, aircraft structures, aircraft engines, radar, ditching procedures and survival. The training was intended to qualify them as flight aerologists with full flight status similar to that of Electronic observers and navigators. VPW-3 was commissioned on 17 May 1946 and received aircraft from VPW-2. This was the first use of specially trained personnel and planes specifically equipped to perform this assignment. Aerologists initially assigned included LT R.W.Sanborn, LT E.B. Rinard, LT C.L. Riegger, ENS W.J. Remillard, ENS W.S. Tatlock and Caerm R.I. Taylor..." http://pages.prodigy.net/ragness/nwsHst397.htm [02MAR2001]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "16APR46---VPW-2 prepared to begin its cross-Pacific flights orders came detaching six planes and crews which would form VPW-3 at Miami, Florida. They would follow similar storms in the Atlantic, where they are called hurricans, from Puerto Rico to the Carolinas..." Contributed by Ray Parsons parsonsjr@knology.net

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons CD-ROM: Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol. 2 Stock No. 008-046-00195-2 The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL), and VP(AM) Naval Historical Center, Department Of The Navy, Washington, D. C...." [15JUN2000]
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Circa 1945

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "00XXX45: During the first few years of hurricane reconnaissance, the Navy used aircraft from various naval activities in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean areas. The first aircraft used was the PBM Mariner seaplane. In 1945, Navy Patrol Bomber Squadron 114 (VPB-114), stationed at NAS Masters Field, Miami, Florida, was assigned the task of making the reconnaissance flights, using the famous World War II patrol bomber, the PB4Y Privateer. From 1946 to 1949 the Privateers continued the hurricane flight while the squadron's designation was changed to Weather Squadron Three (VPW-3), Meteorological Squadron THREE (VPM-3), and Heavy Land Based Patrol Bomber Squadron THREE (VPHL-3). In 1949 Patrol Squadron TWENTY-THREE (VP-23) was commissioned at the Naval Air Station, Miami, for the job. The forerunner of VW-4 was Navy Weather Squadron TWO (VJ-2), commissioned during the 1952 Hurricane season at NAS, Jacksonville, Florida. The following year, the Hurricane Hunters replaced the Privateers with P2V Neptune, and in that same year the squadron's designation was changed to Airborne Early Warning Squadron FOUR..." http://www.aewa.org/Library/vw4/vw4.html


Circa 1944 - 1949

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCameraPB4Y-2 Squadron Assignments "...PB4Y-2 Squadron Assignments 1944 - 1949 by W. T. Larkins 5-11-1984. A review of the aircraft history cards for the 740 aircraft 59350-60009 and 66245-66324 allows the following squadrons with one or more aircraft. Unfortunately the original assignment on many in 1944 is simply "PAC" for Pacific area. No card was found to verify VB-200 as the first squadron delivery or any Marine Corps squadrons. Squadrons listed include VP-12, VP-21, VP-22, VP-23, VP-25, VP-26, VP-27, VP-28, VP-29, VPB-100, VPB-101, VPB-10, VPB-102, VPB-104, VPB-106, VPB-107, VPB-108, VPB-109, VPB-111, VPB-114, VPB-115, VPB-116, VPB-117, VPB-118, VPB-119, VPB-120, VPB-121, VPB-122, VPB-123, VPB-124, VPB-143, VPB-197, VPB-200, VP-HL-1, VP-HL-2, VP-HL-4, VP-HL-6, VP-HL-7, VP-HL-8, VP-HL-9, VP-HL-10, VP-HL-11, VP-HL-12, VP-HL-13, VPM-1, VPW-1, VPW-2, VPW-3, VX-1 and VX-2..." Contributed by Bill Larkins wtl@earthlink.net [01AUG2010]


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