VA-83Photograph AlbumDec.57 to Sep60: NH303 BuNo142859 and NH308 142874 go "slow" for the camera man sitting in a WF-2 "WillyFudd". Note the "slats" are open slightly. Richard "Dick" Studebaker Photo via Bud Southworth. Feature article on VA-83 in the November 1958. NavAirNews. 1958: Rampagers Skyhawk AP-312 afloat in the Mediterranean after LTJG Tom Anderson taxied over the forward end of the angle deck while coming out of the gear. Tom pulled his "ditching handle" and escaped uninjured. Naval Aviation News Photo 1958: Rampagers Skyhawk AP-312 being retreived by the Essex after floating for several hours in the Mediterranean Sea after LTJG Tom Anderson taxied over the forward end of the angle deck while coming out of the gear. Naval Aviation News Photo 1958: Rampagers Skyhawk safely back aboard the Essex after LTJG Swenson picked up a few bullet holes from a Lebanese rebel "Annie Oakley" just north of Tripoli. Also assessing the damage is CDR Holloway. Naval Aviation News Photo Nov 1958 Rampagers jet mechs pose with J-65 engine in front of Skyhawk BuNo 142132. Navy Aviation News Photo. BuNo148572. FAOW No. 3 BuNo.142418 Rampagers of VA-83 pose with insignia in front of Skyhawk BuNo 142418, AP-314, aboard the USS Essex. Courtesy of Nav Air News, and John "Gabby' Gabbard. Rampager A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 145001 - 1958 Gerald Shelley poses, at Memphis TN, by VA-83 Rampager Commanding Officer Commander Albert H. Vito's A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 145001 side number AJ 301. Commander Al Vito replaced Commander James L. Holloway III as the VA-83 Skipper - Commander James Holloway later became Admiral Holloway the Chief of Naval Operations (He probably flew BuNo. 145001). This Skyhawk went on the December 5, 1959 through January 15, 1960 United States Ship Essex CVA 9 ten month cruise to the Mediterranean and Western Pacific. It is probable that A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 145001 was one of the Skyhawks sold to Argentina in 1965 or 1966 and used in the Malvinas War. Photograph from Scott Turchin. 1959: Oceana based Rampagers Skyhawk BuNo 142125, AJ-310, refuels NAS New York based VA-832 FJ Fury BuNo 145096, 7R-6. Naval Aviation News photo, Gary Verver. APR 1960: USS Forrestal based Rampagers Skyhawks BuNo 145003, AJ-303, BuNo 142128, AJ-309 and BuNo 145008 in formation. U.S. Navy VA-83 A4D-2N's tanking during the 1960 Med Cruise aboard the Forrestal. Photo from Bill Caldwel. BuNo.147745 during the 1960 Med Cruise aboard the Forrestal. Photo from Bill Caldwel. BuNo.147807 during the 1960 Med Cruise aboard the Forrestal. Photo from Bill Caldwel. BuNo.148600 during the 1960 Med Cruise aboard the Forrestal. Photo from Bill Caldwel. 1961 USS Forrestal based Rampagers Skyhawk BuNo 145003, AJ-303, in formation. Gary Verver May-June 1961 Rampagers Skyhawk Buno 147806, #303, from the USS Forrestal on display at the 24th International Air Salon at Le Bourget Airfield. Naval Aviation News photo. 1961: Skyhawks NJ-305 and NJ-311 prepare to launch. Naval Aviation News Photo< Rampager A-4C Skyhawk Formation - 1961 A flight of four VA-83 Skyhawks. Lead is A-4C BuNo. 147807 side number AJ 302; 'ol number two is A-4C BuNo. 147801 side number AJ 306; three is A-4C BuNo. 147818 side number AJ 314; four is A-4C BuNo. 147814 side number AJ 312. The Rampagers were based on United States Ship Forrestal CVA 59 United States Navy photograph from Terry McGinnis. Oct 1961 Rampagers Skyhawk BuNo 147803, AJ-305, traps.1 Naval Aviation News via Tom Bispo. Sep 1963 Rampagers Skyhawk formation over the USS Forrestal, from left to right: BuNo 148591, AJ-303; BuNo 147805, AJ-312; BuNo 148589, AJ-304 and BuNo 148598, AJ-302. Naval Aviation News. 1964-65: in flight view of Rampagers Skyhawk formation: L-r BuNo 151061, AJ-302, BuNo 152012, AJ-302, BuNo 151049, AJ-303 and AJ-304. "Boom" Powell 15 MAY 1965: Rampagers Skyhawk BuNo 152018, AJ-306, parked on the ramp as the drop tanks are fueled with JP-4. USAF MATS C-133A s/n 56-2000 in the background. Clyde Gerdes VA-81, VA-83 & VMA-311 onboard the Forrestal in 1965 - 1966 Photo by Tony Redman 1964 - 1966. In-flight view of Rampagers Skyhawk formation: L-R BuNo 151061, AJ-301, BuNo 152012, AJ-302, BuNo 152040, AJ-303 and AJ-304. Photo from "Boom" Powell 18 JUN 1967: Rampagers Skyhawk BuNo 152079, AJ-303, assigned to LCDR Bob Taylor parked on the ramp. VA-83 Formation VA-83 Official photograph U.S. Navy, 13835, USS Forrestal (CVA-59). A-4's from top to bottom are: A-4B 145003 AJ-303, A-4B 145001 AJ-301, A-4B 145008 AJ-305, A-4B 142128 AJ-309 Photo Courtesy of Gary Verver. Skyhawks from Shangri La An RG Smith painting showing A-4Cs from VA-83 and CVW-8 during their Mediterranean cruise of November 15, 1967 through August 4, 1968 aboard Shangri La CVA 28. A painting by R. G. Smith courtesy of Douglas Aircraft and Harry Gann. Chief Jon N. Ackley received these plaques while serving with VA-45 and VA-83. Photo provide by Master Chief Ackely's son, Alan N. Ackley. BuNo.147726 on the line with VA-83. A-7E Corsair II on the "Cat". Richard Anderson A-7E Corsair II as it leaves the "boat". Richard Anderson A-7E Corsair II coming over the stern. Richard Anderson A-7E Corsair II about to touch down. Richard Anderson A-7E Corsair II is burning rubber and has the "2" wire. Richard Anderson |
