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Birthday:
October 5
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Can you please tell me how you came upon these pictures?"
Can you please tell me how you came upon these pictures?"
"Good morning sir!
One of these pictures you have on here is the one that my brother piloted... LtCmdr Carl Morris (Sonny) Sledge. This plane went down off the coast of Miami on 12/7/67. I was wondering if you were on this carrier…"
One of these pictures you have on here is the one that my brother piloted... LtCmdr Carl Morris (Sonny) Sledge. This plane went down off the coast of Miami on 12/7/67. I was wondering if you were on this carrier…"
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Susan,
The picture you see with the BU number you are looking for was taken by me. That pic may have been taken on the USS America, USS Forrestal, or the USS Ranger.. on what we refer to as CarQuals: That's where pilots / bn's get actual aircraft carrier take-off / landing experience with the RA5C aircraft. This picture was taken while engine mechanics were testing engines in 'afterburner' . . making certain all was well.
I got to thinking today about the plane going down off the coast of Forida. To my knowledge, I went on every CarQual excursion in '67 -'68 as an electrician. If I missed one it was because someone else needed the experience . . but I don't think I did miss one.
For one of our planes to be off the coast near Miami I would question it operating from a ship, I would say it was operating out of NAS Sanford ( Sanford, FL / outside Orlando ).
These planes would often be on targeting missions ( finding a 'place' and taking pics, then return to NAS Sanford. I recall losing a couple of aircraft and crew . . I do not recall hearing the whole story as to what happened. Those things get surrounded by lengthy investigations by aircraft mfr, squadron maintenance, re-enactments of what happened ( perhaps in simulators ) and training evaluation.
The entire WING and Squadron is now decommissioned and getting information may be tough. If you have not yet done so, do some internet search using the aircraft NAVY BU#; Cross referencing with pilot name and try to determine if he was operating from a ship or NAS Sanford.
My main computer is in the shop. When I get it back I will do some research on my own.
On the RA5C website ( where you found me ) go to Sea Dragons ( RVAH-3 ) sector and ask if anyone recalls a RVAH-3 plane going down Dec 7 1967 off coast off coast of FL. (Maybe ask editor to send that e-mail out to those members)
Sorry I cannot be of more help.
Jerry
Hello, Susan....
I am sorry I cannot be of help. I was not on that carrier.
Good luck in your search.
Keep looking.
A few years ago I was able to find the Pilot of the B17 my father was co-pilot on during WW2...amazing!
Jerry
Welcome Aboard Susan!
Terry RVAH-14
Enjoy and Welcome Aboard !!
Joe Alleman
H-3 & H-5