And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Sunday, August 21, 2022
An F4U-4B and pilot of VF-114 aboard USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), 1950
That’s the night fighter version of the Corsair. Notice the radar pod (painted white) built into the folded up wing to the pilot’s right and the flash (flame) suppressor above the exhaust pipes to preserve night vision. My father served with the USMC VMF(N)-114 in 1953/54 aboard the USS Tarawa CVA-40. After the Corsair they transitioned to Grumman F7 Tigercats…
Forgot to add they were land based out of MCAS Cherry Point, NC. I have a photo postcard of that exact plane (17) decked out in USMC markings flying above Cherry Point. Evidently they were hand me downs from the USN…
I don't think the CPO was a pilot. No wings on the jacket. I have never see a pilot's jacket w/o the wings. The seem to be somewhat proud of them. I might add that the last Msgt. Pilot retired in the early 70's in California. .
If you look, you will see his Black shoes with Khaki's meaning not an Aviator but Ship's Company. All aviators in that period had Brown Shoes with all uniforms.
That’s the night fighter version of the Corsair. Notice the radar pod (painted white) built into the folded up wing to the pilot’s right and the flash (flame) suppressor above the exhaust pipes to preserve night vision. My father served with the USMC VMF(N)-114 in 1953/54 aboard the USS Tarawa CVA-40. After the Corsair they transitioned to Grumman F7 Tigercats…
ReplyDeleteForgot to add they were land based out of MCAS Cherry Point, NC. I have a photo postcard of that exact plane (17) decked out in USMC markings flying above Cherry Point. Evidently they were hand me downs from the USN…
DeleteIronic that my two favorite planes are called F4s. Corsairs and Phantoms.
ReplyDeleteYou sure he was a pilot? His hat shows him as a Chief Petty Officer.
ReplyDeleteI only assumed he was a pilot. I know little about the USN except that they have a men’s department called the USMC…
Delete+10, Semper Fi. :)
DeleteOO-RAH!!!
DeleteYes, the USMC - the Navy's infantry.
DeleteFlying chiefs were brought in when the Navy thought there was going to be a pilot shortage. If I remember right the last flying chief retired in 1967.
DeleteThe program for enlisted flyers in the Navy ended in 1948, but all that were still in were allowed to finish their careers.
DeleteCould still be a pilot but NAP's were pretty rare by then.
ReplyDeleteHe looks like Bob Crane (Colonel Hogan).
ReplyDeleteThought the same thing…
DeleteOr Robert Conrad as Pappy Boyington
DeleteHOGAN!
DeleteI don't think the CPO was a pilot. No wings on the jacket. I have never see a pilot's jacket w/o the wings. The seem to be somewhat proud of them. I might add that the last Msgt. Pilot retired in the early 70's in California.
ReplyDelete.
If you look, you will see his Black shoes with Khaki's meaning not an Aviator but Ship's Company. All aviators in that period had Brown Shoes with all uniforms.
ReplyDelete