VA-34Photograph AlbumTEN-PLANE formation of F7U-3 Cutlasses, piloted by VA-34, headed for NAS Cecil Field. Several days earlier the squadron participated in an air show over Brunswick, Ga. Skippered by CDR C. W. Pittman, the fighter squadron is now engaged in intensive bombing training. NavAirNews November 1956 US Navy Photo Provided by John Gabbard First "E"s awarded A-4Ds! Provided by John Gabbard. VA-34 & USS Saratoga (CVA-60) At sea on 17 February 1958, as four Douglas AD4-1 "Skyhawk" aircraft from Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) fly past in formation. These planes are Bureau #s 139928, 139968, 139970 and 142152. Official U.S. Navy Photograph - Photo #: USN 1034275. Photo from Gary Verver 1958 U.S.S. Saratoga: BuNo 139969, AC-312. Unkonwn photographer via W. Mutza 1958 BuNo 139961, AC-302, aboard the USS Saratoga. Tailhook Association. Dec 1958 Blue Blasters Skyhawk BuNo 139928, AC-303, in formation with F8U-1 Crusader BuNo 143705, AC-202, F9F-8P Cougar, AC-966, and F3H-2N Demon BuNo 136922, AC-102. Naval Aviation News Photo. March 1960 Blue Blasters LTJG George B. Ball, jr., the Saratogas 1st jet double centurion, poses by Blue Blasters Skyhawk BuNo 144891, AC-312. Naval Aviation News Photo. BuNo.144894, 144891, 144998 and 144892 (A-4Bs) in formation. Photo time frame was given as 1963 and was taken by VFP-62, but records show VA-34 received A-4Cs in July of 1962. Modex is AC302, AC312, AC309 and AC301. Provided by Frank "Spike" Buesing. OCT 1962: Skyhawks parked forward on CVN-65 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Skyhawk units of CVW-6 (VA-66 and VA-76), along with VMA-225, not normally a part of CVW-6, were deployed aboard to provide additional fire-power. Also, VA-34 Skyhawks were assigned to Enterprise in OCT and in NOV they were replaced by VA-64. Dave Leiber of VMA-225 1966-67: BuNo 149590, AK 304, aboard the Intrepid, CVS 11. Intrepid Cruise Book from "Boom" Powell JUN 1967: CAPT John Fair, Intrepid CO, chalks a greeting to Ho Chi Minh on a 750 pound USAF M-117 before Airwing-10 Skyhawk BuNo 149587 launches on the 1st mission of the 1967 deployment. M-117 was used because of the bomb shortage that officially did not exist. "Boom" Powell 1966-67: Blue Blaster Skyhawks BuNo 149624, AK-308, and BuNo 149588, AK-309, aboard the Intrepid, CVS 11. Intrepid Cruise Book from "Boom" Powell 1967: Blue Blaster Skyhawk BuNo 149590, AK 301, moments after trapping aboard the Intrepid, CVS 11. Intrepid Cruise Book from "Boom" Powell A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149590 - 1967. VA-34 Blue Blaster A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149590, side number AK 301 on the deck of United States Ship Intrepid CVS 11, 1967. United States Navy photograph from John Hayes 1966-67: Blue Blaster Skyhawk BuNo 149591, AK-302, as she is maneuvered into position on one of the Intrepids forward cats. Intrepid Cruise Book from "Boom" Powell 1966-67: Blue Blaster Skyhawk BuNo 149626, AK-303, parked alongside the Intrepids island. Intrepid Cruise Book from "Boom" Powell 1966-67: Blue Blaster Skyhawk BuNo 149640, AK-311, as she launches from the Intrepid. Intrepid Cruise Book from "Boom" Powell 1966-67: Blue Blaster Skyhawk BuNo 149640, AK-311, as she taxies across the Intrepids deck with a load of conventional bombs. Intrepid Cruise Book from "Boom" Powell VA-34 Drivers in the Med - 1967. 1967: Blue Blaster Skyhawk AK-307 tied down on the Intrepids deck as the pilot uses the ladder to take a breather. U.S.S. Intrepid Cruise Book 1967. 1966-67 U.S.S. Intrepid: Blue Blasters Skyhawk BuNo 149593, AK-310, being moved into position for launch from the Intrepid. "Boom" Powell 1967 U.S.S. Intrepid: BuNo 145141, AK-302, tied down on the Intrepids flight deck. USS Intrepid Cruise Book via "Boom" Powell 1967 U.S.S. Intrepid: Blue Blaster Skyhawk AK-307 tied down on the Intrepids deck as the pilot uses the ladder to take a breather. Note the plane captain is preparing to insert the starter probe. USS Intrepid Cruise Book via "Boom" Powell 1967 U.S.S. Intrepid: Blue Blaster Skyhawk AK-315 taxies forward aboard the Intrepid. "Boom" Powell 1967: Blue Blasters Skyhawk BuNo 149640, AK-311, parked on the line. Unknown via W. Mutza VA-34 A-4C on the Cat - 1968 Blue Blaster A-4C Skyhawk side number AA 304 on the United States Ship Forrestal CVA-59 starboard catapult. The man in the foreground with his hands in the air is the one that pushes the button that fires the catapult. During the 1968 - 1969 Forrestal Mediterranean cruise. Photograph by and from Warren A. Harms VA-34 A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149544 - 1968 Blue Blaster A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149544 side number AA 301 of Carrier Air Wing 17 approaches the United States Ship Forrestal CVA-59 three wire during the 1968 - 1969 Mediterranean cruise. Photograph by and from Warren A. Harms Blue Blaster A-4C Skyhawk Three Wire - 1968 A VA-34 A-4C Skyhawk pulls out the Forrestal three wire during the 1968 - 1969 Mediterranean cruise. Photograph by and from Warren A. Harms May 1968 BuNo 148316, AA-316, parked on the ramp. Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. 2 Sept 1968 Blue Blasters Skyhawk minus the canopy in hangar #3 at NAF China Lake. Photo via Wayne Mutza. A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149519 - 1970 Ernie Shuldhiess snapped this picture of A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 1149519, side number AA 311 pulling out the Forrestal's three wire during the 1970 cruise. Picture by Ernie Shuldhiess A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149544 - 1970 Ernie snapped this picture of A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149544, side number AA 301 over but missing the Forrestal's three wire during the 1970 cruise. Picture by Ernie Shuldhiess |