VMA-311Photograph Album1960: Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 142943, WL-3, parked on the ramp with 4,500 lbs of high explosive bombs, as six 250 lb bombs are on each of the three MBERs Naval Aviation News photo 1960: BuNo 142943, WL-3, in-flight with 4,500 lbs of high explosive bombs, as six 250 lb bombs are on each of the three MBERs. Naval Aviation News photo VMA-311 taken at NAF China Lake, dated 15 April 1960. 1963: side in-flight view of Tomcats Skyhawk formation. Top to bottom: BuNo 150029, WL-3, BuNo 150053, WL-6, BuNo 150054, WL-7 and BuNo 150057, WL-9. Douglas Aircraft 1963-64: Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 150046, WL-4, parked on the ramp next to an Air Force THUD. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza 1966 Chu Lai: remains of Tomcats (MAG-12) Skyhawk BuNo 148550 (SOC 28 OCT '65) in the Chu Lai boneyard. The other two Skyhawks are most likely VMA-311 BuNo 147808 (SOC 05 May '66) & VMA-311 BuNo 148595 (SOC Oct '65). David Prendergast DEC 1966: Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 150046, WL-4, awaits repairs from 37mm AAA damage. Charles Burin 1966: right side view as Tomcat Skyhawk BuNo 150057, WL-9, launches from the MEU land based catapult at Chu Lai for the 1st time in the history of Marine Corp Aviation. Power for the cat was supplied by two J-79 engines. Naval Aviation News photo NOV 1968: left side view of USMC Skyhawk BuNo 145119 assigned to Lt.Col. Erin D. Smith parked on the ramp next to a Skywarrior. Nick Williams Chu Lai Looking North at Chu Lai, Vietnam before March 21, 1969. The dual 10,000 foot runways running North / South are visable on picture's west side. The barracks are located along the beach near the top of the picture. Next to the barracks are two small runways used by a Navy OV-10 squadron and an Army helicoper squadron. The Americal Division starts near the top of the picture. Vietnam Highway 1 is to the left of the long runways. United States Marine Corps photograph from Dave Seaney Chu Lai - 1969: Fiscal Year 1969 Accident Free Champs. VMA-311 flew 10,020 missions in 11,267 hours in FY-1969 without an accident while flying in Vietnam. This accomplishment was the result of a well trained and diligent team. Colonel Kelly is centered on the words VMA-311 just behind the sign and Major Melville is third from the fuel probe end, front row (hands touching cement). So, who are the rest of these guys? United States Marine Corps photograph from Robert H. Melville, Jr. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151046 --- July 15, 1969 VMA-311 "Tomcat" A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151046 side number WL 15 approaching for landing at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan. Color photograph by and courtesy of Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. A MAG-12 Tomcats Skyhawk taxies at Chu Lai, So. Vietnam. F. Nunez. In 1969: Major Robert H. Melville Sr. was flying a duty test hop in a Tomcat A-4E Scooter. Experiencing cockpit pressurization difficulties Bob descended to a low altitude on his way back to Chu Lai. Major Melville felt he was flying over an area that was free of Slope heavy weapons. Alas, he managed to find a Soviet 23 mm anti-aircraft site while trolling through the weeds. Bob was unscathed even though the hits were in close proximity to the cockpit. Top view of Major Melville's stitched A-4E, looking aft from the cockpit toward the tail. Top close up view of Major Melville's wounded A-4E, looking forward toward the cockpit. Notice the fuel tank filler cap and the close proximity of the fuel tank to the shell holes under the missing cockpit fairing. The inspection cover is blown away displaying some of the twisted rubble. Notice the shell holes stitching the top of the port air intake area. The next day aerial recon found a well concealed 23 mm AA unit in a nearby area. Immediately thereafter, Bob and three other Marine Tomcat Skyhawks launched with napalm and attacked the AAA site. A later check of the AAA site displayed no signs of activity and the mission was judged "well done." United States Marine Corps photographs from Robert H. Melville, Jr. Major J. L. McManaway, USMC - 1969 has been mentioned in several Faulklands War books. The Major was enlisted by the Brits to provide counter A-4 information during the war. United States Marine Corps photograph from Dave Seaney VMA-311 A-4E at Chu Lai - 1969. A Tomcat A-4E with a combat load leaves the pits for a mission. Note the port oleo is slightly low and needs servicing. United States Marine Corps photograph from Dave Seaney VMA-311 A-4E BuNo. 151078 at Chu Lai - 1969. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151078 side number WL 6 is pictured taking off from Chu Lai on a gift run to "dem Cong". United States Marine Corps photograph from Dave Seaney BuNo 151036, WL-22, with a centerline refueling package as she taxies by the photographer. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza 1969: BuNo 150105, WL-19, parked on the ramp. At left is Tomcats BuNo 151050, WL-2. Weldon Dunlap 1969: BuNo 151050, WL-2, assigned to MAJ Jim McManaway parked on the ramp. Weldon Dunlap 1969: Skyhawk BuNo 151050, WL-2, assigned to MAJ Jim McManaway parked on the ramp behind BuNo 150105. Weldon Dunlap VMA-311 A-4E at Chu Lai - 1970. A-4E Skyhawk side number 18 is pictured loaded with snake & nape on the Chu Lai hotpad - ready to launch! Right after this picture was snapped, second hotpad aircraft were scrambled to provide cover for a recon team in trouble in the bush. Photograph by and from Steve Kent A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150111 A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150111 side number WL-3 starts its takeoff roll loaded with bombs and stuff that goes BANG!!! Photograph by Harry S. Gann and photo scan by Fred Lewis JULY 1970: BuNo 150085, WL-16, assigned to LT Steve Sanford parked on the ramp with napalm ordnance on the four wing pylons. Weldon Dunlap BuNo 150107, WL-18, as she taxies by the photographer. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza JULY 1970: Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 151165, WL-5, assigned to CAPT Fred Palka parked on the ramp. Weldon Dunlap Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 151124, WL-9, as she taxies by the photographer with a centerline tank, MBER's with Snakeyes on the inboard wing pylons and napalm on the outboard pylons. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151046 - a year later --- 1970. "Tomcat" A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151046 side number WL 15 flying wing on an Airforce A-1H Skyraider (SPAD). Picture taken in 1970 near Da Nang RVN. Please note the Skyhawk slats are partially open -- he's going very slow -- and the angle of incidence on the SPADs wing indicates he's going balls to the wall. Photograph by Tom Stump USAF SPAD pilot. VMA-311 A-4E BuNo. 151176 at Da Nang - 1970. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151176 side number WL 1 is pictured in 1970 parked and bombed-up near the Da Nang bunker sheds. United States Marine Corps photograph from Dave Seaney A USO Princess Visits the Da Nang Tomcats --- November 1970. This photo op was probably just for the pretty visitor! Officers and men gather around a USO performer visiting the squadron. Do you know any of these guys? United States Marine Corps photograph from Steve Kent. 01 March 1971 installation of TDS on an unknown Tomcat Skyhawk. U.S. Navy Photo. 01 March 1971 installation of TDS on an unknown Tomcat Skyhawk. U.S. Navy Photo. 01 March 1971 installation of TDS on an unknown Tomcat Skyhawk. U.S. Navy Photo. 01 March 1971 installation of TDS on an unknown Tomcat Skyhawk. U.S. Navy Photo. MAY 1971: Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 158171, WL-18, manned and ready for taxi. Nick Williams Tomcat A-4E on the USS Hornet. Tomcat A-4E Skyhawks launching from the United States Ship Hornet about 1971. Photograph from Harry S. Gann C.O.'s Skyhawk BuNo.151176 --- 1971. This picture was taken at Bien Hoa, Vietnam before June 1971. TopCat One (probably A-4E BuNo. 151176) is ready for some nasty business. Lieutenant Colonel Bannan, USMC was in command. Photograph courtesy of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Dugan (GSE) Tomcats Return to Lair --- May 17, 1971. The VMA-311 Tomcats departed DaNang, Vietnam on May 17, 1971 and flew to Naha, Okinawa. After refueling the twenty Tomcat Skyhawk flew home to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Masaaki Hayakawa was waiting near the runway to take this picture showing the twenty Tomcats in formation approaching the break. The Squadron broke in four plane units, with tight downwind interval to landing. Masaaki Hayakawa Topcat One's Return to Lair --- May 17, 1971. After the break in the above picture Lieutenant Colonel Bannan, Topcat One, in A-4E BuNo. 151176, side number WL 1 approaches touchdown at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 17, 1971. Photograph by Masaaki Hayakawa. JUN 1972: L to R: VMA-211 CF-03, 211 CF-20, 211 CF-xx and VMA-311 WL-xx. All loaded with ordinance and taxing out. Donald M. Conner JUN 1972: VMA-311 BuNo 152070 WL-04 taxing out loaded with ordinance. Donald M. Conner THE LAST BOMB - January 27, 1973. Colonel John Caldas, Commanding Officer of VMA 311, just before he led the last combat sortie of the Viet Nam war on January 27, 1973 --- armistice day from Bien Hoa. The bomb rack was configured such that the painted bomb in the picture was the last one released from the compliment on the A-4E Skyhawk; and the Skyhawk was the last plane in his flight to drop bombs just minutes before the U.S. agreed to end hostilities around 11:45 local RVN time. The target was an old, former French rubber plantation north of Bien Hoa where there was reported enemy activity. The bomb painted by troops in the squadron says: THE LAST BOMB, 9,738.38 tons dropped VMA-311, Bien Hoa, RVN 17 May 72 - 27 Jan 73. Photograph from Steve Caldas Sept 1974 BuNo 158168, WL-15, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection Apr 1975 BuNo 158169, WL-16, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection BuNo.158194 parked on the ramp with a centerline fuel tank and wing mounted MBERs. Gary Verver Collection AUG 1976: BuNo 158413, WL-02, assigned to Major Jefferson, parked on the flight line. Rob Mignard AUG 1976: BuNo 159480, WL-01, assigned to LCOL Page, parked on the line next to BuNo 158413, WL-02. Rob Mignard BuNo 160029, WL-10, parked on the ramp. Unknown Tomcats A-4M in the background. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza 07 MAY 1978: Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 158169, WL-16, parked on the ramp with a load of Snakeyes. Ben Knowles 02 Sept 1978 BuNo 158413, WL-02, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection BuNo.154973 of VMA-311 in Japan, Oct. 1978. Photo by Isamu Yatsuhashi and courtesy of Masaaki Hayakawa. BuNo.154973 of VMA-311 in Japan, Oct. 1978 with "VAQ" insignia. Photo by Isamu Yatsuhashi and courtesy of Masaaki Hayakawa. A-4M Skyhawk BuNo. 159473 --- October 8, 1978. Tomcat WL 460 on static display at a Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, open house, October 8, 1978. Color photograph by and courtesy of Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. 1980: BuNo 158194, WL-01, parked on the line and painted in the lo-vis gray scheme. Unknown photographer via W. Mutza May 1980 BuNo 159477, WP-23, parked on the ramp with underwing drop tanks and a centerline MBER. Gary Verver Collection May 1980 BuNo 159473, WL-11, parked on the ramp with the hook down. Gary Verver Collection JULY 1980: Skyhawk line, l-r: BuNo 159780, WL-04; BuNo unknown, WL-12; BuNo 159477, WL-23; BuNo 158416, WL-22; and BuNo 158428, WL-07. Dave Steinbacker Oct 1980 BuNo 159780, WL-04, parked on the flight line with a pair of drop tanks. Gary Verver Collection Oct 1980 BuNo 160038, WL-02, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 left front view of Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 158194, WL-01, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 160032, WL-06, and ground crew. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 SkyhawkBuNo 158158, WL-08, parked on the ramp in a gray on gray camouflage paint scheme. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 BuNo 158416, WL-22, parked on the flight line with a pair of drop tanks. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 BuNo 160029, WL-10, parked on the ramp while being attended to by the maintance crew. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 BuNo 160031, parked on the ramp with a centerline tank. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 BuNo 160035, WL-00, parked on the ramp with a centerline tank. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 BuNo 160038, WL-02, parked on the ramp with a pair of drop tanks. Gary Verver Collection Nov 1980 BuNo 158427, WL-13, parked on the flight line. Gary Verver Collection Mar 1981 BuNo 160028, WL-10, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 17 Jan 1982 BuNo 158416, WL-22, as she taxies. Photo by Joe Cupido, G. Verver collection Feb 1982 BuNo 160035, WL-00, parked on the ramp. Gary Verver Collection 01 March 1982 Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 158168, parked on the flight line. Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection. APR 1982: Tomcats Skyhawk BuNo 158196 as she taxies by the photographer. Dr. C.A. "Sketch" Eddy A-4M Skyhawk BuNo. 158177 resting in the Arizona sunshine. Photo by Roxann Hays 08 April 1984 BuNo 159478, WL-06, parked on the ramp. Ted Paskowski, G. Verver collection. Jun 1987 BuNo 159477, WL-02, parked on the ramp with a centerline tank. Photo by J. Wegg, G. 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