VC-13Photograph Album21 SEP 1975: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 145092, UX-1, parked on the ramp. Unknow photographer via W. Mutza Unique 1977 photograph showing eleven VC-13 TA-4J Saints inflight. VC-13, a United States Navy reserve unit, was based at Naval Air Station Miramar (North of San Diego) California. The Saints are pictured flying past the Coronado Bridge that links San Diego and North Island. Naval Air Station North Island can be seen in the left foreground, while Lindbergh Field is in the right foreground. VC-13 was established on 1 September 1973 and its mission was to service the reserve and regular squadron with such mundane items usually required of VC squadrons. This included adversary flights, which the squadron did very well, as most of the pilots were Vietnam veterans. In fact, they routinely kicked ass training the fighter boys. The adversary mission was further recognized on 22 April 1988 when their unit was redesignated VFC-13 and they were assigned the A-4F Skyhawk II (Super Fox) aircraft. In 1996, VFC-13 was equipped with Northrop F-5s and moved to Naval Air Station Fallon. Here they picked up the duties of disestablished VF-126 (Top Gun) from Miramar and VA-127 from Fallon and supported the activities of the Strike School. Harry S. Gann photograph and prose. Feb 1975 BuNo 145092 tail section. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. 01 Aug 1975 BuNo 147825, UX-3, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 24 Sept 1975 BuNo 149555, UX-6, parked on the ramp. Photo by R. Leader, G. Verver collection. 15 Nov 1975 BuNo 147825, UX-3, parked on the ramp. Photo by Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. Nov 1975 BuNo 149551, UX-5, parked on the Saints flight line next to BuNo 145122 and three other Saints Skyhawks. Clay Jansson via Tailhook Association. 05 JUN 1976: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 154653, UX-8, parked on the line. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza July 1976 159798, UX-4, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1976 153504, UX-01, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 24 Sept 1977 Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155096, UX-07, parked on the flight line. Photo by G.B. Rhodes, Gary Verver Collection. 03 Oct 1977 left rear view of Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155096, UX-07, parked on the flight line. Photo by T. Waddington, Gary Verver Collection. 1978 Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 154653, UX-08. Photo by Harry Gann. MAR 1978: Saints Skyhawk BuNo 159798, UX-04, parked on the ramp. Bill Curry 2 Oct 1980 BuNo 155080, UX-04, parked on the flight line & configured with a pair of drop tanks & a buddy store on the centerline. Gary Verver Collection 1981: Skyhawk BuNo 155092, UX-03, assigned to "Cobra", parked on the ramp next to BuNo 154653, UX-08. Unknow photographer via W. Mutza July 1986 BuNo 155094, UX-01, based at NAS Miramar. Photo byJ.L. Wannepain, G. Verver collection. 14 Sept 1987 BuNo 154976, UX-20 carrying an Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pod, which transmits details of air-to-air engagements to a ground station for later analysis. U.S. Navy Photo March 1988 Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155094, UX-01, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 18 Oct 1989 Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155034, UX-21, departs NAS Miramar, CA. US Navy Photo by B. Trombecky. 30 June 1990 BuNo 154206, UX-26. Photo by D. Slowiak, G. Verver collection. A-4F "Super Fox" Skyhawk 155013 - 1991. A-4F "Super Fox" BuNo. 155013 and side number 24 of VFC-13 "Saints" based at Naval Air Station Miramar. This Super Fox is in low vis sea gray paint when photographed April 22, 1991 at Naval Air Station Atlanta while pausing for fuel. Photograph from Frank Mirande. A-4F "Super Fox" Skyhawk 155034 - 1991. Detail of the tail of A-4F "Super Fox" BuNo. 155034 and side number 21 of VFC-13 "Saints" based at Naval Air Station Miramar near San Diego, California. This Super Fox is in low vis sea gray paint when photographed April 22, 1991 at Naval Air Station Atlanta. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 22 APR 1991: Two A-4F "Super Foxes" of VFC-13 "Saints" taxiing "Blue Angel" style from the Naval Air Station Atlanta transit-line on April 22, 1991. In the lead is BuNo 155034. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 1991-92:Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155085, UX-02, parked on the ramp as the ground crew re-fuels the fuselage tank. Unknow photographer via W. Mutza Saint TA-4F Skyhawk 153492 TA-4F BuNo. 153492, side number JY 10, of VFC-13 "Saints", Naval Air Station Mirimar, California. F-4 Phantom II Website. Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155037, UX-24, parked on the ramp. J.D. Stewart 21 APR 1992: Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155028, UX-25, parked on the ramp. W. Munzenmaier Saint TA-4F Skyhawk 153495 - 1993. TA-4F BuNo. 153495, November Delta, side number 04, of VFC-13 "Saints", Naval Air Station Mirimar, California. Photographed on the Naval Air Station Atlanta Transit line on March 9, 1993. VFC-13 was transferred from the Fleet Logistics Support Wing in 1992, to Carrier Air Wing 30, therefore exchanging their "UX" tailcode for CVWR-30's stylized "ND". In a bit of a twist, CVWR-30 stood down at the end of 1994, so the "orphaned" Saints then moved to CVWR-20. By then they had re-equipped with Hornets, then became the Navy's last F-5 squadron. Photograph from Frank Mirande. Close-up of Saint TA-4J Skyhawk 153495 Tail Section - 1993. TA-4J BuNo. 153495 side number ND 04, of VFC-13 "Saints", of Naval Air Station Mirimar, California, at Naval Air Station Atlanta on March 3, 1993. The photograph clearly shows the fancy CVWR-30 "ND" tailcode on the standard Tactical Paint Scheme Ghost Gray. Photograph from Frank Mirande. 24 April 1993 BuNo 155096, ND-01, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection 14 June 1993 Fighting Saints Skyhawk BuNo 155034, UX-21, and Skyhawk UX-23 taxi to the runway prior to an air combat maneuvers training mission against Carrier Air Wing 17. US Navy Photo by B. Trombecky. BuNo 153512, UX-04 in flight. Gary Verver Collection VC-13 Saints Skyhawk BuNo 145092, UX-1, parked on the ramp. Wings Magazine, photo by Ron Picciani. |