VA-153Photograph AlbumU.S.S. Hancock Feb. 1958 - Jan. 1960 A-4A Skyhawk BuNo. 142156 VA-153 Blue Tail Fly A4D-1 BuNo. 142156, side number NL 303, attached to CVG-15, is ready to go on the catapult (probably on the United States Ship Hancock CV 19). USN photograph from Douglas Aircraft Company files and provided by Harry S. Gann. 1960 U.S.S. Hancock: Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk NL-301 forms the backdrop for five pilots (CDR Jack Bauman, LCDR Ralph Odgers, LT's Jim Doolittle, Tom Brown & Ben Fromm) who became Centurions during the Westpac deployment. Naval Aviation News photo U.S.S. Kearsarge: A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142874 Blue Tail Fly A4D-2 BuNo. 142874, side number NS 4, attached to CVSG-53 aboard the United States Ship Kearsarge CVS 33. The Scooter banks left to show off his trusty pair of Sidewinders in pylons under the wings. USN photograph from Douglas Aircraft Company files and provided by Harry S. Gann. 1960-61: Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 142923 undergoing maintenance in the hangar. Douglas U.S.S. Coral Sea Sept. 1960 -- A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147825 A-4C BuNo. 147825, side number NL 302, attached to CAW-15 aboard the United States Ship Coral Sea CVA-43 -- is pictured on the Naval Air Station Lemoore ramp. Photograph by Harry S. Gann. A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155026 Blue Tail Fly A-4F BuNo. 155026, side number NL 306, attached to CAW-15 aboard the United States Ship Coral Sea CVA-43 -- is pictured on the Naval Air Station Lemoore ramp. Photograph by Harry S. Gann. 1961-1962 WestPac BuNo147844 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea. LT Salkovics does a preflight. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148307 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea. Photo by Stan Thompson. Shot of the holdback aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. BuNo.145077 being manned by LtJG Stan Thompson aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148307 serves as a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148498 and 142849 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145087 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145087 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145087 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145087 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148307 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148308 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145087 and 147825 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Shown flying over Japan Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148314 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Shown flying over Japan Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148314 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Shown flying over Japan Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148314 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Shown flying over Japan Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148314 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Shown flying over Japan Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148541 at NAS Atsugi during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148541 coming aboard Coral Sea during the 1961-62 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145077 at Subic aboard CVA-43, USS Coral. Photo by Stan Thompson. Naval Air Station Lemoore ramp A row of parked VA-153 A-4E Skyhawks at Naval Air Station Lemoore. From front right to rear left: BuNo. 147718 side number NL 313; BuNo. 148481; BuNo. 148310; BuNo. 149573; BuNo. 148306. Photograph by Harry S. Gann BuNo.147825 at NAS Lemoore. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.147825 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.147825 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral. Photo by Stan Thompson. LT Stan Thompson poses next to a Crusader. Photo by Stan Thompson. April 1962 CDR Kirklighter's Farewell. Photos from Stan Thompson. LTJG Hakanson, a "Demon" Driver. Photo by Stan Thompson. LTJG Hakanson, "Hack", with his "Pre-flight Class" which included Ens. Stan Thompson. Photo by Stan Thompson. LT Owens and LT Thompson at NAS Atsugi. Photo by Stan Thompson. LTJG Printup aboard the Coral Sea. Photo by Stan Thompson. LCDR Jack Russ aboard the Coral Sea. Photo by Stan Thompson. Drawing illustrating the tanking role of the Skyhawk. Photo by Stan Thompson. LT Westbrock and LT Owens prepare for a flight. Photo by Stan Thompson. Stan Thompson VA-153 photo gallery for 1961-63 cruises. Photos by Stan Thompson. "Officers Swim Call". Photo by Stan Thompson. They all seem to be able to float. Photo by Stan Thompson. Everyone is growing one. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963 WestPac BuNo.148308 and 148314 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea. Photo by Stan Thompson. CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. BuNo.145077 being manned by LTJG Stan Thompson aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. Top-bottom: Flight Division Leader CDR Zeb Knott, Wingman LCDR Marty Asbacher, Section Leader LT Buddy Owens and Wingman Gene Hillhouse. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. Top-bottom: Flight Division Leader LCDR Bob Wilson, Wingman LTJG Gene Hillhouse, Section Leader LT Matt McCarthy and Wingman LT Bill Hollis. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. Top-bottom: Flight Division Leader LCDR W. Brown, Wingman LTJG Ross Underhill, Section Leader LT J. F. McCarthy and Wingman LT Stan Thompson. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in dress whites alongside Blue Tail Flies Powerhouse 301, change of command from CDR Knott to CDR Raposa. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in dress whites alongside Blue Tail Flies Powerhouse 301, change of command from CDR Knott to CDR Raposa. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in dress whites alongside Blue Tail Flies Powerhouse 301, change of command from CDR Knott to CDR Raposa. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in dress whites alongside Blue Tail Flies Powerhouse 301, change of command from CDR Knott to CDR Raposa. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. Top-bottom: Flight Division Leader CDR William C. Raposa, Section Leader LT Bill Bennett and Wingmen LTJG Howie Alexander and LTJG A.J. Bennett. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. Top-bottom: CDR Peter Monglardi, Jr., LTJG Rich Hewgley, LTJG Frank Caron and ENS. Bill Smith. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148310 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in front of Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 148310, Powerhouse 310, aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148310 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in front of Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 148310, Powerhouse 310, aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148310 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in front of Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 148310, Powerhouse 310, aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148310 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in Aviation Greens in front of Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 148317, Powerhouse 305 aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148310 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. LT Stan Thompson in Aviation Greens in front of Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 148317, Powerhouse 305 aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.148541 serves a backdrop for picture taking aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea during the 1963 WestPac cruise. Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 148541, Powerhouse 312, belonging to Ltjg W.M. Roark and LT Stan Thompson on the borading ladder. Photo by Stan Thompson. BuNo.145084 aboard CVA-43, USS Coral Sea in 1963, parked by the LSO platform as a VAH-2 Whale traps. Photo by Stan Thompson. Zooming in on Blue Tail Flies Powerhouse 301 alongside VA-155 Silver Fox 507 by the LSO platform of CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: ordies loading Mk-76 practice bombs on Blue Tail Flies Skyhawks BuNo 148488, Powerhouse 308 and BuNo 148308, Powerhouse 308, aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 147844, Powerhouse 300, parked forward of the USS Coral Sea island during refueling operations. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: Blue Tail Flies Skyhawks BuNo 148306, Powerhouse 306, BuNo 148488, Powerhouse 303 and BuNo 148310, Powerhouse 310 loading 20mm ammo pods aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: Blue Tail Flies Skyhawks BuNo 148306, Powerhouse 306, BuNo 148488, Powerhouse 303 and BuNo 148310, Powerhouse 310 loading 20mm ammo pods aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. landing aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. BuNo 145084, Powerhouse 301, and VA-155 Silver Fox 507 are parked by the LSO platform. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: BuNo 148541, Powerhouse 312, sitting out a typhoon aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-53. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: BuNo 148541, Powerhouse 312, showing the red kangaroo the Aussies painted on the Scooter while based ashore at RAAF Richmond. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: BuNo 148488, Powerhouse 303, as ordies load 20mm canisters under the supervision of AOC L.W. Marten aboard CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: BuNo 148306, Warpaint 306 and BuNo 148317, Warpaint 305 sitting out a typhoon aboard the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43. Photo by Stan Thompson. LT Stan Thompson poses next to a Crusader. Photo by Stan Thompson. Blue Tail Flys hanging out in a Stateroom. Photo by Stan Thompson. Ship is named for LT Roark. Photo by Stan Thompson. The Coral Sea giving one of her escorts a drink. Photo by Stan Thompson. VA-153 Officers, July 1963. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: VA-153 Officers, aboard the Coral Sea. Photo by Stan Thompson. 1963: VA-153 Skyhawk formation over the Coral Sea off Australia. Photo by Stan Thompson. "Seems the thing to do." Photo by Stan Thompson. VA-153 Officers and Chiefs aboard Coral Sea in 1963 Photo by Stan Thompson. Va-153 Ready Room in 1963 Photo by Stan Thompson. 1965 WestPac VA-153 Skyhawk NL 306 - USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) - The Catapult Officer signals "launch" and an A-4 "Skyhawk" starts down the flight deck, during operations in the South China Sea, 24 March 1965. The plane is being launched from the carrier's starboard catapuLT Photographed by PH1 James F. Falk, USN. - Official U.S. Navy Photograph - Photo #: USN 1111691-A. From Gary Verver 1965 Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 149574, Powerhouse 306, flown by LT Majors, returns to the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43, after a strike on Bac Long Island deep in the gulf of Tonkin. Naval Aviation News Photo. Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 145118, NL-300, aboard the Coral Sea as a Sea Knight delivers supplies. Blue Tail Flies BuNo 148317, NL-309 at right. U.S. Navy photo by PH1 Jean Cote. 17 JUL 65: Battle damaged A-4C of VA-153. 2nd shot from top of wing of battle damaged A-4C of VA-153. 1966 WestPac 12 March 1966 BuNo 148519, NL-312, parked on the ramp. Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. 1966: A-4C Skyhawk with battle damage. Photograph from Al Hyde. 1967 1967 Three VA-153 Blue Tail Flies A-4E Skyhawks over Colinga, CA. Top to bottom they are BuNo 149959 NL-316, BuNo 151193 NL-310 and BuNo 151025 NL-313. Official U.S. Navy photo from the Don Scott collection. 1967 U.S.S. Constellation: Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk NL-304 and an RA-5C Vigi launch almot simultaneously from the Connies forward cats while NL-313 waits its turn for launch. Naval Aviation News photo 1968-1969 WestPac Blue Tail Flies and Black Diamonds Skyhawks from L-r: VA-153 NL-304 & NL-302, VA-216 NL-605, NL-601, NL-610 & NL-612 and VA-153 NL-315. G. Verver collection A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155032 - 1968 Blue Tail Fly NL 314 from the United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43, dirty and ready to land at Naval Air Station Atsugi, December 29, 1968. Black & white photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. DEC 1968 Atsugi: Blue Tail Flies Skyhawk BuNo 155028, NL-310, parked on the ramp. Nick Williams A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155022 - 1969 April 5, 1969, United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43 stopped at Yokosuka, Japan after completing Southeast Asia operations. The next day Coral Sea off loaded aircraft and VA-153 Blue Tail Flies A-4F BuNo.155022 was transferred to the VA-164 Ghost Riders --- to become the new "LADY JESSIE." The replaced Ghost Rider Skyhawk appears to have been lost October 2, 1968 to triple A, over North Vietnam, killing Commander D. E. Erwin in A-4E BuNo. 151126 side number NP 411. Photograph by Masaaki Hayakawa 1998 BuNo.142120 in the markings of the Blue Tail Flies is on display alongside the road leading to the Weapons Survivability Laboratory (WSL), the testing arm of the Survivability Division. 2002 photo ©Brian Lockett, curator, Goleta Air & Space Museum. |
