VA-163Photograph AlbumEd Copher 13 Mar 1961 Saint XO Bert Creighton's bicycle-built-for-two which he occasionly rode to the Cecil Field hanger. BuNo 142136, AH-301, is CO Manherz's plane. Note CAG-16 tail flash, but 163 insignia decals had not arrived. VA-163 Ordnance shack in background. Joe Ziemian on rear seat. Photo from Joe Ziemian. 06 Jun 1961 Saints Skyhawk BuNo 142136, AH-301, parked on the ramp next to a Curtiss Pusher prop replica. Photo from Ed Copher. 06 Jun 1961 Saints Skyhawk BuNo 144914, AH-304, next to a Dam Buster from the RAF Vulcan Bomber 617 Squadron at the 50th Anniversary of Naval Aviation demonstrating the biggest and smallest delta wing nuclear capable bombers. Naval Aviation News Photo via Ed Copher. 22 AUG 1961: Skyhawk AH-311 draws a crowd as the Saints host the Boys Ranch members. Joe Zieman at right and plane captain kneeling at the top of the ladder. Ed Copher The Saints in February, 1962. (image date incorrect?) Picture of Initial Compliment of 163 pilots. Photo taken NAS Lemoore. To arrive yet were Bill McGowen, Spear, Hewitt, Northwang, and Daniels in time for 1st West Pac deployment in June 62. Pilots dressed in Survival & Safety gear as required by BUAER. Picture compliments of Joe Ziemian. VA-163 Saints say goodby to one of their own. Photo from Joe Ziemian BuNo.142128. 1962: left side in-flight view of Saints Skyhawk formation: BuNo 142917, AH-301, BuNo 142914, AH-304, BuNo 142775, AH-305, and BuNo 142826, AH-306. U.S. Navy Photo VA-163 A-4Bs weapons drop, Sept. 28, 1964 at China Lake. Photo U.S. Navy from Gary Verver Collection. VA-163 A-4Bs weapons demo for President JFK at China Lake, Jun 7, 1963. Photo U.S. Navy from Gary Verver Collection. 2nd shot of VA-163 A-4Bs weapons demo for President JFK at China Lake, Jun 7, 1963. Photo U.S. Navy from Gary Verver Collection. 1964: Saints Skyhawk formation trails Skywarrior BuNo 138959, ZB-10. From the top BuNo 142914, AH-307, BuNo 144914, AH-304, BuNo 142917, AH-301, BuNo 142775, AH-305 and BuNo 142826, AH-306. Naval Aviation News Photo VA-163 Pilots during the 1965 cruise. Tom Herold. VA-163 White Hats during the 1965 cruise. Tom Herold. 1966 BuNo 151134, AH-352, BuNo 151055, AH-351 and BuNo 151086, AH-345. U.S. Navy photo via Tom Herold. VA-163 A-4E BuNo 152100 flown by Commander Wynn Foster, the CO of the squadron. This was the last A-4E off the production line. Commmander Foster was also flying it when I was later bagged by "AAA". BuNo 152100 went deep six in the Gulf of Tonkin on July 23, 1966; after Commander Foster was forced to eject due to the lose of his right arm. See the VA-163 main squadron page for more. Photo from Wynn "Captain Hook" Foster U.S.S. Oriskany burns. Photo from Tom Herold, VA-163 White Hat. VA-163 Saints Skyhawks in the aftermath of the 1966 fire. U.S. Navy via Tom Bispo. Scorched VA-163 Saints Skyhawk AH-306 at O&R in the aftermath of the 1966 fire. Scorched VA-163 Saints Skyhawk AH-306 at O&R in the aftermath of the 1966 fire. VA-163 Saints Skyhawk AH-343 ready for launch. U.S. Navy via Tom Bispo. VA-163 Saints Skyhawk AH-348 assigned to LT Dick Tulley on the cat. U.S. Navy via Tom Bispo. VA-163 Saints A-4E AH-310 and VA-153 Blue Tail Flies AD Skyraider BuNo 137610. Probably 1966 or 1967 as VA-163 was on the Oriskany with the 3nn modex in 66 and 67. Official U.S. Navy photo from the Don Scott collection. 1967: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 150116, AH-306, parked on the ramp. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza OCT 1966: BuNo 149998, AH-310, with port wingtip damage after an arrested wheels up landing. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza 20 OCT 1967: LTJG Denny Earl, with both legs shattered by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire, successfully lands his Saints Skyhawk BuNo 149959, AH-300, aboard the Oriskany. U.S. Navy Photo by PHC Neal Crowe 20 OCT 1967: LTJG Denny Earl, with both legs shattered by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire, engages the barricade as he lands Saints Skyhawk BuNo 149959, AH-300, aboard the Oriskany. U.S. Navy photo via "Boom" Powell AUG 1968: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 14997x, NP-302, lands in the barricade aboard the Hanna. Saints Skyhawk BuNo 14997x, NP-302, following a landing into the barricade aboard the Hanna. Newspaper Clipping from April 1968 of the "Saints". Provided by Ed Copher. A "zoom in" shot of "163". Larry Neff, with the white 'T' shirt on, is shown standing just left of the nose of the left aircraft. Provided by Ed Copher. VA-163 A-4E Skyhawk January 14, 1969 This is probably the last A-4E of VA-163 to visit Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149982, side number NP-314, from the United States Ship Hancock, approaches touchdown at Atsugi. Please notice the open speedbrake. The wingman, (not in picture), was flying A-4E BuNo. 150026, side number NP-305. Photograph by and courtesy of Masaaki Hayakawa. VA-163 A-4E Skyhawk Pensacola. An A-4E hangs in the Pensacola Museum displaying VA-163 colors. Photograph by Gary Rodgers. |