VPNAVY Operation Poppy by Captain Edward M. Brittingham
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Books VX-4 MiscellaneousBooks

BooksBOOKs: VPNAVY Book Title: "Wings over Bermuda - 100 years of aviation in the West Atlantic" by Ewan Partridge and Tom Singfield. Contributed by Tom Singfield tomsingfield@gmail.com [09JUL2015]

The first fixed wing aircraft in Bermuda in 1919 was a USN Curtiss Jenny from the ship SS Elinor. In 1924 the USN sent the first "operational" aircraft to Bermuda in the shape of a Vought UO-1 seaplane from the USS Cincinnati. Visits by the airship Los Angeles commencing in 1925 are detailed as are the much later operations by a variety of US Navy blimps from the airport.

Other pieces in the book that will interest VP Navy readers include the US Navy Naval Operating Base (always known as the NOB) (1939-1965). This massive base (no runway) was built from re-claimed land and housed warships and submarines as well as flying boats and seaplanes. After WW2 the flying boats became the front line force in the Cold War anti submarine "battle". Types operated there included Kingfisher, Goose, PBM Mariner, P5M Marlin and Albatross.

The US Navy was very active in Bermuda during WW2. The book has details of the early neutrality patrols of late 1940 and has extensive coverage of the Battle of the Atlantic and the specialist fleet training operations. The exploits of the Patrol, Scouting and Utility squadrons that were based at Darrell's Island and the NOB are also told.

Post war, the stories continue of the Patrol Squadrons through the cold war and details of support units, accidents, incidents at both the NOB (flying boats and amphibians) and Kindley Field are revealed. The book also includes the never before told story of the Navy Bermuda Flying Club. It also includes details of the many US Navy aircraft carriers that visited Bermuda and the surrounding seas to carry out operations and exercises.

The following US Navy Squadrons are all mentioned in "Wings over Bermuda".

FAW-9, VAQ-141, VB-105,VC-1, VC-13, VC-19, VC-42, VC-58, VC-69, VCS-8, VF-15, VF-41, VF-72, VGF-27, VGF-28, VGS-27, VGS-29, VGS-30, VJ-4, VJ-15, VP-8, VP-10, VP-11, VP-15, VP-16, VP-23, VP-44, VP-45, VP-49, VP-51, VP-52, VP-54, VP-63, VP-74, VP-92, VP-201, VP-204, VP-207, VP-215, VP-661, VP-MS-5, VP-MS-9, VQ-4, VR-1, VR-6, VR-8, VR-44, VRC-40, VS-2D1, VS-32, VS-35, VS-36, VS-41, VS-71, VS-72, VS-201, VS-5D4, VX-1, VX-4. In addition there are stories from FASRON 104, FASRON 111, FASRON 795 and the Naval Air Transport Service (NATS).

US Navy ships mentioned include USS Akron (airship), Bogue, Charger, Chenango, Cincinnati, Cobbler, Core, Croatan, Currituck, Effective, Elinor, Gannet, George E. Badger, Guadalcanal, Hamilton, Hornet, Intrepid, Laffey, Long Island, Mission Bay, Odum, Owl, Patoka (airship), Ray, St. Louis, Sicily, Philadelphia, Ranger, Santee, Savannah, Stansbury, Theodore Roosevelt, Thrush, Timbalier, Valley Forge, Wainwright, Wake Island, Wasp, Yorktown.

Many military bases with US Navy connections are mentioned including Patuxent River, Norfolk VA, Elizabeth City, Keflavik, Azores, Argentia, Charleston, Miami, Newfoundland and San Juan.

The book can be obtained direct from the National Museum of Bermuda for $60 plus P&P. Contact info@nmb.bm for details. The authors (both British) have some signed copies in the UK, contact tomsingfield@gmail.com for details of costs etc.

This book was published in 2014 by the National Museum of Bermuda and for the first time ever tells the intriguing story of aviation in and around the British Colony islands of Bermuda. Historians, former Bermuda US Navy servicemen and women, and relatives of USN personnel based there will be delighted to see such a good coverage of all types of US Navy operations


BooksBOOKs: Quonset Point Naval Air Station "Gem of the Atlantic" and Quonset Point Naval Air Station "Volume II - VJ Day to Vietnam" by Sean Paul Milligan jetsareforkids@verizon.net WebSite: http://www.angelfire.com/fl/jetsr4kids/ [Updated 30NOV2004 | 20NOV99 | 06MAR99]

VPNAVY BookTitle: Quonset Point Naval Air Station: Gem of the Atlantic
VPNAVY BookTitle: Quonset Point Naval Air Station, Volume II

Squadrons, NAS, etc. mentioned: VP-6(CG), VP-7, VP-8, VP-11, VP-21, VP-24, VP-49, VP-52, VP-82, VB-125, VB-126, VS-22, VS-24, VS-27, VS-30, VS-31, VS-32, VS-34, VS-39, VS-42, VS-913, CASU-22, FASRON-101, FASRON-103, NADU, VJ-2, VJ-4, VJ-15, VU-2, VU-4, VU-5, VX-1, VX-3, VX-4, VC-2, VC-4, VC-12, VC-31, VC-33, VT-1, VT-8, VAW-12, VAW-33, VR-22, FAW-3, FAW-5, FAW-7, and FAW-9.

The works of Aviation Historian Sean Paul Milligan

SGT USMC RET

Sean Paul Milligan is a well-known military historian and speaker whose articles have appeared in the Providence Journal, Naval Aviation News, The Hook, Wings of Gold, and Leatherneck. His career in aviation began at age 14 when he flew as a Cadet in the Civil Air patrol. A former Marine, Milligan has made a lifelong study of Naval Aviation and is the historian for the Quonset Air museum. Mr. Milligan is currently producing a PBS documentary on NAS Quonset Point, RI.

Praise for books by Sean Paul Milligan

A few years ago, a friend of mine was asking for photographs for a book on NAS Quonset Point. That book is now available from the author and it is a real gem. The 128 page, 6 1/2" x 9 1/4" book is just full of photographs detailing the history of the Naval Air Station at Quonset Point. First built in 1941, the air station was homebase for many of the seaplane squadrons that fought the battle of the Atlantic. It was also homeport for several carrier airwings that embarked upon the many 'jeep' carriers who were tasked with convoy protection. The book then goes on to discuss the many classified projects undertaken during the war including Quonset's major involvement in developing a Naval night fighter.

Postwar saw the drawdown of units and ships, but Quonset was set to enter the jet age and there are several good photographs of early jets. Quonset Point was renowned for the Naval Air Rework Facility there and its specialization in reciprocating engines. There are numerous photographs of F4U Corsairs, A-1 Skyraiders, and other prop aircraft that went through the station. It was this specialization in prop aircraft that spelled the final demise of Quonset Point. When the services finally phased out the round-motored aircraft, there was no more need for the rework facility. Quonset Point finally closed in 1974; chopped by Richard Nixon as part of the drawdown after Vietnam.

Sean Milligan's book is page after page of quality black and white photographs. Other than photo captions and the introduction, there is very little verbiage. It is the over 200 superb photographs that make the book. Want photos of J2F Ducks for your next kit? How about Hellcat nightfighters, EA-1 Skyraiders, S-2A's, TBM-3Ws, AF-2's, and the rare TBY Seawolf. They are all here and more. How about a good photo of a 1950 Chevrolet pickup as used by base security complete with fender mounted siren? A little esoteric, but this is the strength of this book.

Highly recommended for USN enthusiasts everywhere. The letter that came with the book mentions another on threat, adversary, target and utility squadrons. I hope it is either available or in work. Buy this book!

    "...A little gem..." Journal - American Aviation Historical Society

    "...Excellent..." William T. Larkins, Founder - Author of U. S. Navy Aircraft 1921-1941

    "..Nifty, well-researched..." Wings of Gold

    "...Pictures are outstanding...informative captions...A good book to have around..." Captain Dick Knott, USN (RET)

    "...The Quonset book is excellent..." R. C. Sturtivant - I.S.O. - Author of The Squadrons Of The Fleet Air Arm

    "...This book belongs in your library..." Naval Aviation News - Commander Peter Mersky, USNR (Retired)

    "...Super...great photos and captions..." The Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum - Stan Piet, Executive Director

    "...Extensive and detailed...an extraordinary archive..." Air Classics

    "...Gem of a book...highly recommended..." The Hook

    "...Jam packed...with rare and historical photographs..." Gosport - Chief Art Giberson, USN (Retired)

    "...A nostalgic look at Naval Aviation..." United States Naval Institute - Proceedings Commander J. Cutler, USN (Retired)

    "...Surprises...lively...chronicles 'hallowed ground' of Quonset Point..." The Providence Journal-Bulletin - Gerry Goldstein

    "...Quonset Point Naval Air Station is for you..." Atlantic Flyer

    "...An awesome tribute...I recommend it strongly to anyone even remotely associated with U. S carrier based warfare..." Military - Major Dominic J Caraccilo.
BOTH BOOKS ARE $18.99 each plus $3.01 each for mailing (Total: $22.00)

Please make checks payable to
JETS ARE FOR KIDS
PO BOX 3214
PAWTUCKET RI 02861

Voice: (401)722-5821
E-Mail: jetsareforkids@verizon.net

Author will sign and write sentiments as requested.

BooksBOOKs: Entry removed because of problems with Amazon and their Associate Program. [29JAN2009]


BooksBOOKs: VPNAVY BookTitle: "The Wind Chasers." The history of the Atlantic Fleet Hurricane Hunters. It includes VPW-3, VPM-3, VPHL-3, VP-23, VX-4, VJ-2 & VW-4. I am the offiial historian of the Hurricane Hunters. For further information please contact H. J. "Walt" Walter hwalter2@earthlink.net. [10MAR99]


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