A BIT OF HISTORY: P5M-1 Prestart Checklist VP-40 Form 3710-8 Contributed by STEBBINS, LCDR Donald J. c/o His Son Craig Stebbins castebbins@hotmail.com [25OCT2002]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Records Safe Flying Time - VP-40: 158,000 hours and 23 years...." Naval Aviation News July-August 1990 Page 32 [10JUL2001]

A BIT OF HISTORY: Contributed by Edward Delos Santos ed_delossantos@spinfinder.com [02MAR2001]

A BIT OF HISTORY: [22SEP2000]

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...Photo's taken at the end of an era. If my memory serves me, lots were drawn for the privelige to see what aircraft would be the last to fly. As luck would have it, QE-10 BUNO: 5533 was selected. The Navy had assigned an Official Navy Photography Team from a CB Battalion that you will see in one photo...." Contributed by John A. Faria JohnFaria@MSN.Com[05SEP2000]
"...The Commander issues the order "Crew, Man Your Aircraft"..."
"...I saluted all who have gallantly served..."
"...CB Phtographer says "Damn Airdales know how to put on a show!"..."
"...QE-10 departs the ramp. Commander Joseph P. Smolinski, Jr. is the pilot...."

A BIT OF HISTORY: "...I was reassigned to VP-40 at NAS North Island, San Diego, California as beachmaster for the launching and recovery of the old P5M "pigboats". Those lumbering old aircraft were like the bumblebee; they shouldn't fly but somehow defied gravity. The beach crew always had a good time and was an outstanding group of men.The crew would tow the ship to the seaplane ramp,lower her by the tail hook to the water, detach the floatable wheels and the AWKWARD BIRD become a thing of beauty in the water and upon take-off, usually with JATO. Upon return to base, our small boats would drag out the wheels, re-attach the tail line and pull the pigboat to shore..." Contributed by JOHN W SLAGLE slag5845@att.net [14JUN99]

"VP-40 History Summary Page"

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