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HistoryVP-44 HistoryHistory

Circa 1959

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News October 1959 "...Winners Get ASW Awards - Page 30 - Naval Aviation News - October 1959..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1959/oct59.pdf [16AUG2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News October 1959 "...Battle E's For AirLant - Page 39 - Naval Aviation News - October 1959..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1959/oct59.pdf [16AUG2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News July 1959 "...French Complete Marlin Training - Page 23 - Naval Aviation News - July 1959..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1959/jul59.pdf [15AUG2004]

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Circa 1957

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News April 1957 "...Again, Again and Again - Page 37 - Naval Aviation News - April 1957..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1957/apr57.pdf [10AUG2004]

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Circa 1956

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...The time frame is early 1956 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The squadron was there for annual war games. .On the flight down from NAS Norfolk, Virginia our plane, P5M-2, CC-9, BUNO 135600 was struck by lightning at the end of the MAD sensor (a whole other story). These pictures are of our plane, CC-9 on the deck of the tender, USS Currituck (AV-7), having the lightning damage repaired and also being lifted off the ship. Note that what was left of MAD sensor has already been removed in these pictures..." Contributed by STUPKA, Bill wrstupka@gate.net [07SEP2007]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News February 1956http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1956/feb56.pdf [08AUG2004]

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Circa 1955

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCameraVP-44 History "...Jax Units Cited For "Lantminex" - JAX AIR NEWS - VOL 12 - NO 51 - NAS Jacksonville, FL - 31 MAR 1955..." WebSite: University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries http://ufdc.ufl.edu/ [05FEB2011]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCameraVP-44 History "...14 January 1955 when VP-44 aircrews were transitioning from the P5M-1 to the P5M-2..." Contributed by LeMASTER, AT2 William hollystream@verizon.net [16SEP2008]

I served in VP-44 from June 1954 until November 1956. I was an AT-3, 2nd Tech on CC-10 and then AT-2, 1st Tech on CC-10 and later 1st Tech on CC-3.

I came across a picture that was taken on 14 January 1955 when VP-44 aircrews were transitioning from the P5M-1 to the P5M-2. At this time, VP-44 was hangar-ed at Breezy Point, NAS Norfolk, Virginia.

We went to the Glenn L. Martin Company in Middle River, MD. near Baltimore where the P5M's were manufactured, to become familiar with the differences between the two models. The picture is cracked and creased and does need cleaned up, but then again it is 53 years old. My certificate of completion is dated 14 January 1955.

Pictured in the group is:

Row 1: Camille AT2, (Unknown CPO in Dress Blues), Boone ADC, Gregaris ATC, Hall AMC and LeMaster AT3.

Row 2: Lankford (Civilian Instructor), O'Daniel AD2, Wing ATAN, Ruth AT1, Dalton ATAN, Hoke AD1 and (Civilian Unknown).

Row 3: Gann AD1, Hayes AD1, Chittick AOAN, Sebring AT1 and Krammer AO3.

Row 4: Wallace AD1, Gosney AE3, Ferguson AE3 and Garrett AD2.

Row 5: Two unknown civilians, probably instructors.

Some of the attending members of my crew, CC-10, were Row 1: myself, LeMaster AT-3 2nd Tech, Row 2: O'Daniel, AD2 2nd Mech, Row 3: Gann AD1, 1st Mech and Sebring, AT1, 1st Radioman.

I am sorry to say that at least three of those shown here have passed on. Jim Sebring and Blair Chittick.

Hoke AD1 was killed in the NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal mishap (11NOV56).

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News August 1955 "...Atlantic - Page 26 to 27 - Naval Aviation News - August 1955..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1955/aug55.pdf [05AUG2004]

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Circa 1954

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...I took the 3 attached photos in early 1954, not long after joining VP-44. All are of the Breezy Point Seaplane Base, which is part of NAS Norfolk, Virginia. They were taken during a rare east to west take-off, which uses a short water runway, and comes close to the Breezy Point tower and gives a good view of the VP-44, VP-56 and FASRON-102 flight lines, ramps and hangars..." Contributed by STUPKA, Bill wrstupka@gate.net [13MAY2007]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP History ThumbnailCameraVP-44 History "...The photo was taken during the Wales part of VP-44's 1954 Med cruise. It shows our trusty tender, the USS Currituck, AV-7 with one of VP-44's planes on her aft deck for maintenance. The USS Currituck (AV-7) is shown anchored in the harbor, near the town of Milford Haven, Wales..." Contributed by STUPKA, Bill wrstupka@gate.net [19MAY2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: VP History ThumbnailCameraVP-44 History "...Circa 1954-1955..." Contributed by KINIRY, Richard A. rich_kin@hotmail.com [07JUL2003]


Circa 1953-1956

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...1954 Wales/Med Cruise. I was flying with CC-7, as 2nd Tech at that time..." Contributed by Bill Stupka m0smetana@gmail.com [06SEP2006]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...This slide set is about VP-44 operations out of NAS Norfolk, Virginia. I had only 13 slides to use. In the next few weeks or so I plan on putting together the squadron's Wales/Med cruise of 1954 in the same manner. There are more slides of that than there are from around Norfolk. I don't understand why I didn't take more of Breezy Point and squadron operations there, but then I was 22 at that time..." Contributed by Bill Stupka m0smetana@gmail.com [06SEP2006]

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Circa 1953

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...Navy Lieutenant Charles H. Zilch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert R. Zilch of Fort Littleton, is now attached to Patrol Squadron 44, a unit of Fleet Air Wings, Atlantic Fleet, anti-submarine patrol bomber command - From The Files of May 7, 1953 - 04/30/03..." WebSite: The Fulton County News http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=541&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=946062&om=1 [06DEC2005]

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News April 1953 "...Marlin Board USS Currituck (AV-7) - Page 14 - Naval Aviation News - April 1953..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1953/apr53.pdf [29JUL2004]

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Circa 1952

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...FAETULAN, FAW-3, FAW-5, FAW-11, VP-3, VP-5, VP-7, VP-8, VP-10, VP-11, VP-21, VP-23, VP-24, VP-26, VP-34, VP-44, VP-45, VP-49, VP-661, VP-741 and VP-861) - Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAV NOTICE 05400 for Fiscal Year 1953 dated 1 October 1952 is: DECLASSIFIED per Office of Chief of Naval Operations on 1 February 1965 by Op-501..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao53-68/fy1953-oct52.pdf [14MAR2007]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: "...FASRON-102, FASRON-103, FASRON-104, FASRON-795, VP-3, VP-5, VP-21, VP-24, VP-44, VP-49, VP-661, VP-861, ZP-1, ZP-2, ZP-3, ZP-4 and ZX-11) - Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAV NOTICE 05400 for Fiscal Year 1953 dated 1 October 1952 is: DECLASSIFIED per Office of Chief of Naval Operations on 1 February 1965 by Op-501..." WebSite: Naval Historical Center http://www.history.navy.mil/a-record/nao53-68/fy1953-oct52.pdf [14MAR2007]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News June 1952 "...Fleet Gets First 'Marlin' - Page 23 - Naval Aviation News - June 1952..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1952/jun52.pdf [26JUL2004]

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HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News May 1952 "...3 Squadrons Safety Leaders - Page 35 - Naval Aviation News - May 1952..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1952/may52.pdf [26JUL2004]

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Circa 1951

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: UNIT: VP-44 PREVIOUS DES: VP-MS-4 NAME: Pelicans TAIL CODE: CC/LM ACTIVATED: 1-29-51 DEACTIVATED: 5-31-91 TYPICAL LOCATION(S): NAS Brunswick, Maine
Books"Title: Lockheed P2V Neptune An Illustrated History by Wayne Mutza wmutza@wi.rr.com...A Schiffer Military History Book...ISBN: 0-7643-0151-9...286 pages full of pictures and history!


Circa 1950

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: Naval Aviation News March 1950 "...Panama Planes Sink A PBM - Page 24 - Naval Aviation News - March 1950..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1950/mar50.pdf [19JUL2004]

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