Cool image thread of USN seaplanes

[jmalter]

thanks for that link, richlove. Always wondered why there were only 12 Seamew in the Allied OOB!

[wdolson]

ORIGINAL: Michael Vail

That cage was called a Bosun's chair. And you could lower someone enough so that the spray between the ships would soak them. But if it hit the water chances are it would be ripped away.

The ships probably just got close enough to get the ensign sprayed pretty thoroughly. In any case, the guy got very wet.

Bill

[bigred]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

In 1977 , I was a very green , just out of "A" school Airman , reporting to a Reserve Patrol Squadron. The enlisted aircrew ready room was a very intimating place at 1st. More than 50% of the enlisted flight crew were Chief or higher , and all had been in the USN/USNR "since Jonah was a midshipman". A very large percentage were WW2 vets , and Korea Vets. Vietnam vets were the kids.

To my great fortune these old timers adopted me. The stories (and medals ) they had were absolutely amazing.

But one AW1 was unofficially assigned as my "Sea-daddy". He was one of the oldest sailors I ever saw. Apparently he kept avoiding the Chief's exam so that he'd always have a "flight billet". (In those days there were no "high-tenure rules"). Along with teaching me how not to kill myself or others , he was a wealth of sea stories , and WW2 naval aviation history. When he'd tell you about Catalina's, Liberators and Privateers, he know from 1st hand experience (not to mention Neptunes, Ventura's and early Orions--he was teaching me the P-3A). One day I asked him, "So Dick, was the PBY your 1st plane?". He shook his head no and said, "no , before WW2 I joined the Navy as a Radio/gunner. Ever hear of a SOC?". "You mean the Seagull? HOW OLD ARE YOU DICK?" He laughed and launched into several more sea stories. Simply amazing!. [&o]

[&o]good story, I enjoy listening to the old men stories