Bulldog Barrel

Nothing fancy today... just a fine shot of a Grumman F3F-2, BuNo. 0975 of Marine Fighting Squadron 2 (VMF-2). This bird was assigned to the fella who flew left wing in the second section, as indicated by the airplane number '6' and the white lower cowling.

Sadly, 0975 was damaged in a taxiing accident at NAS Ewa, Oahu, TH on March 10th, 1941 while a 2Lt. Davidson was behind the stick... though I've no info as to her ultimate fate.

Anyhoo, enjoy, roll out the barrel, and ring out a song of good cheer...

San Diego Air & Space Museum (Ray Wagner Collection)

Fade to Black...

San Jacinto Avenger

Today we present an atmospheric view showing a TBF-1C Avenger of VT-51 over Majuro Atoll on May 30th, 1944. VT-51 was at the time flying from the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) and counted among its roster a certain Lt.(JG) George H.W. Bush.

National Naval Aviation Museum

Fade to Black...

Tarbox Tomcats

As the readership may know, your blogmeister has a thing for Cats of the two-tail variety as well as 'purty pikshurs... so today we present a B-U-T-FULL snap of a pair'a Tomcats from VF-33, the Starfighters, near a place called Coffin Island, Puerto Rico back on April 1st, 1990.

VF-33 was at the time embarked aboard USS America (CV-66) as part of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1). Over the years, many an enthusiast has mistakenly attributed the callsign 'Tarbox' specifically to VF-33... 'tis not so... VF-33's tactical callsign at that time was 'Starfighter', while 'Tarbox' was the callsign for CVW-1. But an air wing's callsign could be adopted by any squadron of the wing under certain circumstances.  The more you know...

Nomenclature, Baby!

U.S. Navy photo by LCDR K. P. Neubauer

Fade to Black...

 

 

Victory 210 & 201

Today we bring you a quickie showing a pair of one of your blogmeister's faves, the F-14 Tomcat. These particular Toms are from what was arguably the most famous F-14 RON, VF-84, the Jolly Rogers. We're not sure of the exact date here, but judging by the paint schemes and other details, it was the late 1970s or early 1980s. Photo-bombing in fine fashion off in the distance is the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), roost to VF-84 and the rest of Carrier Air Wing 8.

AAAARRRRR!!!!

 

 

U.S. Navy Photo

 

Fade to Black...

 

A New Kind of Cat

Today we bring you a quickie...

The F9F was the first of Grumman's jet-powered Cats, and arguably the most-goodest-lookin' one, too. Here we present the very first example, XF9F-2 BuNo. 122475, snapped in the vicinity of Long Island during her first flight on November 21st, 1947. Famed test pilot Corwin 'Corky' Meyer was behind the stick.

Enjoy...

San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives (Charles M. Daniels collection)

Fade to Black...