VPNAVY VP-5 Open House
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

Note VP-44 NoticeNote

Note NOTICE: "...I come from a Navy family and when I found a seamans jacket at a local thrift store I felt I should try and find someone who might appreciate having it. The jacket belonged to Bill Mace VP-44. Based on his jacket Name Patch - he may have been a Yeoman. The patches include NAS Norfolk, Virginia and the USS Albemarle (AV-5). Please drop me an email if you have any information on this sailor..." Contributed by Chris Reinke creinke@optonline.net [30NOV2011]

History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail History - Tap To Enlarge Thumbnail

Note NOTICE: "...VP-44 and VP-56 interested in information on co-operation of US Submarines and Naval Aviation in anti-submarine work (Blimps, Helios, P2, S-2, P-3, etc.). I have few photos of USS Guavina SS 362 with a CDR C. L. Lambing or Lambrig refueling from the submarine during demonstration work 1948 to 1960. Believe it is Marlin, P5M-2 plane #2 of VP-44. Any recall those days, photos or motion film would appreciate...Stephen Finnigan stephen.finnigan@navy.mil, Curator, US NAVY Submarine Force Museum, NAVSUBASE NLON..." [26OCT2006]


Note NOTICE: "...I'm trying to replace my VP-44 (patch used from 1969 to 1971) and my VQ-4 (used 1971). I lost both of them and sure would like to replace them. If you have one - please let me know. Thanks. RUSSELL, Dennis Wayne drussell@epcounty.com..." [27APR2006]


Note NOTICE: "...I am trying to find an official Navy Paint Scheme for the PBY-5A in use around 1945. It would be the solid dark blue scheme. Only one color and not the tri-color scheme. If there were a way to also learn what other markings were usually on the aircraft that would be helpful. I am in touch with a diecast aircraft model manufacturer who is willing to look into making a scale model but they need to be very accurate. My father flew PBY-5A's out of NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at the end of WWII and became the director of Air-Sea Rescue, Hawaiian Sea Frontier prior to leaving. He was in transit to Pearl from the States when the Japanese signed the surrender. He is 82 now and can only remember that the aircraft was solid dark blue. If anyone could help direct me to a source for this information, I would be very appreciative. Phil Garner thrill@bellsouth.net..." [23JAN2006]

UPDATE "...I have learned that the proper paint scheme is indeed, the tri-color for the PBY-5A's. What I need now is to see if anyone has any detailed pictures of any of the PBY's present at Midway for the Battle of Midway. I need to see what markings were on the aircraft. I have several squadron numbers that were supposed to be represented at the Battle by PBY's. They are listed in this excerpt provided by one of you members:

Here is an excerpt from the book PBY: The Catalina Flying Boat by Roscoe Creed pg 102. regarding the Battle of Midway.:

    "The following day (May 22) the buildup began: the first six of twelve PBY-5As of VP-44 under LCDR Brixner arrived from Pearl Harbor to provide long-range patrol capabilities.. Small groups continued to wing in, a hodge podge of PBY's on temporary duty from VP-14, VP-23, VP-24, VP-51, VP-72 and VP-91. The seaplanes operated from Sand Island and the amphibians from the runways on Eastern Island.....". Note that Midway is made up of two islands Eastern and Sand.
Thanks, John for that info.

Anything that anyone can supply will be greatly appreciated. I am on high speed internet so size of transmission is good up to about 3 or 4MB per message. Phil Garner thrill@bellsouth.net..." [26JAN2006]

Note NOTICE: "...I am a member of the Maine Air Museum located at Bangor International Airport. We are inviting former NAS Brunswick, Maine personnel to establish a display in our museum to commemorate the rich aviation history of NAS Brunswick, Maine. VP-8, VP-10, VP-21, VP-23, VP-26 and VP-44 served there. Will help you with design suggstions. So far all we have from NAS Brunswick, Maine is a flight suit. We have a major display about Loring AFB, a small one on Dow AFB and now we need to publicize what you accomplished. Please contact me. We could use model aircraft, patches and photos etc. We are a non-profit organization. Smooth sailing...Hank Marois, Maine Air Museum, Project Manager oldcrow2@verizon.net..." [19JUL2005]


Note NOTICE: "...Navy Establishing Augment Units For All FRS's Including VP-30..." Contributed by LCDR Robert J. Cable cablerj@vp30.navy.mil [03DEC2003]

VP-30 SAU The Navy is scheduling the establishment of a Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) attached to VP-30 for 1 October, 2004. Final numbers have yet to be released, but the SAU is likely to total near 150 personnel composed of Officer and Enlisted instructors and maintenance personnel. The SAU has begun recruiting the advance party of 20 maintainers in the AD, AE, AT, AM, and AME rates. If you are interested in serving as a Selected Reservist in VP-30 SAU, have P-3 NEC's and P-3 experience within the last 6 years, and are within drilling distance of NAS Jacksonville, Florida, please call Naval Reserve Recruiting Area SE at 904-542-3320 ext 490 or the SAU OIC at 904-542-0990.

AD - Aviation Machinist's Mate    AE - Aviation Electrician's Mate    AT - Aviation Electronics Technician    AM - Aviation Structural Mechanic

Note NOTICE: VP-44 Aircraft? "...I need some help with the ID of this picture. What I have heard is that the ship is a 'training ship' from Norway, and that the P5M-2 was from VP-44. I would like to find out for sure if the plane was from VP-44, and anything else that may pertain to the picture - where it was taken, when, etc. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated...HOWE, Clay howec@charter.net..." [04MAY2002]


Note NOTICE: "...I am looking for a CRUISE BOOK from the 1982-83 deployment in NAS Sigonella, Sicily for VP-49. That is the deployment that the Marines dog was shaved, and Mt Etna erupted. Cmds. Menderline and Dvorak were the CO'S. I don't remember if there was one, but if there was I would love to have one. Thanks...DuFRESNE, Jerry ["JD"] DR308@hotmail.com..." [24OCT2001]


Note NOTICE: "...Calling all VP-44 Golden Pelicans who served in NAS Brunswick, Maine from 1970 to 1991 - Ten years have passed since the disestablishment of Patrol Squadron Forty-Four. I have been given permission by NAS to hold a "Command Picnic" in the "traditional" sense at the NAS Brunswick Picnic Area during the weekend of 28 - 29 July 2001. This is NOT a Reunion, and not intended to conflict with the VP-44 reunion taking place at Daytona Beach this August. We're just looking to get together, burn some burgers, sip some barley pop and shoot the bull...More information will be available on a website within the next two weeks. In the interim, send me your interests...Thanks, Hal Chase halc@beartrap.navy.mil, AWC (Ret), VP-44 (1979 - 1983)...Hal Chase ..." [20APR2001]


Note NOTICE: "...VP-23, VP-44, BATTLE OF MIDWAY: Does anyone have a list of names of the aircrew for PBY #4V58 at the Battle of Midway? That was the plane that first reported a sighting of the Japanese carriers on the morning of 4 June 1942. The pilot was LT Howard Ady and the copilot was LTjg Maurice "Snuffy" Smith (per "Miracle at Midway," by Gordon W. Prange). I'm especially interested in the name and rate/rank of Ady's radio operator on that flight. Information on the rest of the Crew is also desired. Many thanks to anyone who can help...Ron Russell ronruss@neteze.com..." [25JUN2000]


Note NOTICE: "...I am a bat-biologist, (hence my bat-patch page at: http://Classes.sdstate.edu/Zoo221/Resources/Insignia.html) (hence my interest in the ASM-2 BAT), but know I have a new field site on the island of Antigua. On 2 September 1940 the U.S. and Britain signed the "Destroyers for Bases" agreement which provided the U.S. with access to bases in Antigua, the Bahamas, Bermuda, British Guinea, Jamaica, Newfoundland, St. Lucia and Trinidad in return for 50 American destroyers. NAF Antigua (British West Indies) was one of two NAFs established to support NAS San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was established on 1 February 1942. NAF Antigua was redesignated an NAAF on 20 January 1944 and then redesignated an NAF on 1 July 1946. It was disestablished on 15 July 1947. During the Cold War, t6he Naval Facility/Naval Support Facility was part of the Atlantic Fleet Oceanographic System and conducted undersea surveillance for many years until it was transformed into a training/support base in the mid 1980s and in the 90s I believe was transferred to the newly independent Government of Antigua. 12/1941 VPB-105 , 2/1942 Designated NAF Antiqua, 3/1942 VPB-92, 10/1942 VPB-34, 12/1942 VP-44, 9/1943 VPB-212, 1/1944 Designated NAAF Antiqua, 7/1946 re-Designated NAF Antiqua, and 6/1947 Disestablished. I would like to contact any VP Shipmates that might have served on Antigua during any time period and get their recollections of the small base and the island. ..." Contributed by Scott C. Pedersen, Ph.D. Scott_Pedersen@sdstate.edu [16JUN2000]


Note NOTICE: "...In VP-44 during 1968-1970 there was YN2 named Charlie Osborne from Massachusetts. Has anyone heard of or from him? We recently lost one of our 'chute riggers and it has brought back alot of memories...Spencer Riley twrser@aol.com..." [28MAR2002]


Note NOTICE: "...AM looking to get in touch with John Dunn. John was an AMS3 in NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan, worked the tool room, if anyone remembers him and knows where he might be, please contact me, thanks...KOHL, Douglas PabbaLou@AOL.com..." [05JUL2001]


Note NOTICE: "...I am trying to get in touch with 2 people who were in VP-44. They are Cecil Simmons and Judy Nicholson. If anyone can help me, I would appreciate it. I am an old friend from Florida...D. Stone destoner_99@yahoo.com..." [07JUL2000]


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