VC-5Photograph Album1965 BuNo 145012, UE-29, parked on the flight line with BuNo's 144974 & 142874. Photo via Tailhook Association. First Skyhawk, A-4C BuNo. 147779, to Land at Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam - June 1, 1965 Colonel John Noble, Commanding Officer of Marine Air Group 12 after landing at Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam in VMA-225 Vagabond Douglas A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147779 - side number CE 6. Colonel Noble flew BuNo. 147779 from Iwakuni, Japan to Cubi Point in the Philippines; after refueling Noble flew the Skyhawk to Chu Lai for the first Skyhawk landing at Chu Lai. Photograph by John Keane and from Martin Halpin. August, 1965, A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147752, side number CE 12 was assigned to VMA 225 at Chu Lai, Republic of Viet Nam. Photograph from Martin J. Halpin. Photograph by and from Warren A. Harms VC-5 Det Cubi Flightline 1967. Photo taken looking toward the North from the VC-5 Det Cubi hangar roof by John Mosbarger. The closest plane is a Beechcraft RC-45J SNB (Secret Navy Bomber) Bug Smasher BuNo. 138450. The SNB was notorious for ground-looping. Next are four Grumman US-2C Traders. UE-32 was in transit from VC-5 Det Naha, Okinawa. Next are four Douglas A-4B Skyhawks. Adjacent to the Skyhawks is a DF-8F Chance Vought Crusader. Several lines back are some transit Skyhawks. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger Two VC-5 Det Cubi A-4B Skyhawks 1967. "Cubi Tower, Checkertail 27 with two for taxi." A pair of Checkertail A-4B Skyhawks from VC-5 Detachment Cubi at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Olongapo, Philippines wait for taxi clearance. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger VC-5 Det Cubi Aircraft - 1967. A flight of four Checkertail aircraft enters the break for landing at Naval Air Station Cubi Point. Two VC-5 Det Cubi Grumman US-2C Traders lead two A-4B Skyhawks into the break. The US-2C was a gutted S-2F (Stoof) Tracker anti-submarine airframe with a big cargo space and - or the ability to cram six to twelve bodies into the hold. With Utility Squadrons the aircraft towed targets, delivered the mail and parts to carriers, along with other assorted chores. The US-2C cruised at 150 knots and could fly four to six hours on its fuel. The Stoof was the aircraft that transported Bob Hope and his troupe to Tonkin Gulf Yankee Station Boats. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger VC-5 Det Cubi Aircraft part 2 - 1967. A flight of three Checkertail aircraft enters the break for landing at Naval Air Station Cubi Point. A VC-5 Det Cubi Grumman US-2C Trader leads two A-4B Skyhawks. The Skyhawks nearly fell from the sky trying to fly formation on the US-2C Stoof with its S&L 180 knot speed. All Stoof versions had a very "short shank" (distance from wing to tail). At any speed and particularly during takeoff the loss of an engine was spectacular. The rudder wasn't big enough to keep the aircraft straight and at slow speed and full power on the remaining engine the aircraft would "pinwheel" out of control into the ground. A fix that provided more rudder helped but you could always tell an experienced Stoof pilot by bulging leg muscles. The bug-eyed Stoof was actually a joy to fly. It was over-powered. It trimmed well. Sometime the auto-pilot worked. It was stable in instrument flight. It had great vision. The Stoof had large bubble bay-windows next to the pilot and co-pilot. Pilots could lean into the window and look back along the fuselage. With both engines turning the Stoof was over-powered. On takeoff at max-power a lightly loaded Stoof would leap into the sky and climb at 80 degrees nose up - for 2,000 feet. . . This was only done at Air Force bases to impress the Tower Boy Scouts in Blue. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger BuNo.142874 waiting on the VC-5 Line at Cubi Point. Photo by Scott VanAken. Cubi Point VC-5 Checkertail Angels - 1967. In 1967, the Navy Blue Angels were getting accustomed to their new McDonald F-4 Fantoms, recently switching from the beautiful Grumman F-11 Tiger. In the Fleet, Attack and Utility Naval Aviators knew there was a better aircraft for flight demonstration. Enter the VC-5 Cubi Point Checkertail Angels. Here we see the VC-5 Checkertail Angels ready to taxi: #1 is A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 145036 side number UE 25. #2 is A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 144874 side number UE 26. #3 is A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 142874 side number UE 27. #4 is A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 144974 side number UE 28. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger VC-5 Checkertail Angels Taxi - 1967. The VC-5 Checkertail Angels BuNo. 145036, BuNo. 144074, BuNo. 142874, BuNo. 144974 taxi from the revetment. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger A Good View of Cubi Point airfield - 1967, with the VC-5 Checkertail Angels BuNo. 145036, BuNo. 144874, BuNo. 142874, BuNo. 144974 heading for the runway. This picture's background is interesting: There is a black "Queer" Douglas A-3 Skywarrior probably from VQ-1, sitting in the far revetment. These Skywarriors snooped the China and Russia coast, from Vladivostoc to Vietnam. What they electronically learned is still probably "Top Secret." The Skywarrior had terrible fuel management and weight and balance problems because of inaccurate fuel gauges. Landings on ship and ashore were always - interesting! Next to the Skywarrior is a North American RA-5C Vigilante. The "Vigi" had a crew of two - a Non-Flying Officer sat buried in the fuselage behind the pilot -- this poor soul had one small 4 inch diameter window to peer out of. The weapon systems for this aircraft were never produced so the Vigi did photo reconnaissance. Landing a Vigi on the Boat was always an interesting event! They use to sell tickets to Vulture's Row for a Vigi Event. The Vigi didn't have elevators - the whole stabilator flapped up and down - it was an awesome sight, on final, with the stabilator flapping back and forth in the wind - full throw! At night everyone got on their knees and prayed for the Vigi crew. LSO's were terrified and liked to say "BINGO" before the Vigi even had a chance to break. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger 1967 - The VC-5 Checkertail Angel in a tight diamond fly-by, most likely BuNo. 145036, BuNo. 144874, BuNo. 142874, and BuNo. 144974. Checkertail Angels approach in a tight diamond. Checkertail Angels break for landing from a tight diamond. Photographs by and from John Mosbarger A VC-5 Atsugi Checkertail Crusader - 1967. A VC-5 Atsugi Checkertail DF-8F Crusader BuNo. 145544, side number UE-12 visits the Cubi line in 1967. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger Another VC-5 Atsugi Checkertail Crusader - 1967. VC-5 Commanding Officer's "Double Nutz" from Atsugi. Checkertail DF-8F Crusader BuNo. 147009, side number UE-00 visits the Cubi line in 1967. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 144974 - 1968. VC-5 Detachment Cubi A-4B Skyhawk BuNo. 144974 side number UE 28 on approach to landing at Naval Station Sangley Point, Cavite, Philippines. This picture was probably taken in January or February 1968. Photograph by and from John Mosbarger December 11, 1968, A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147834, side number NL 602 was assigned to VA-216 Black Diamonds on the United States Ship Coral Sea CVA 43. It was photographed by Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan while landing at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan. A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147779 - 1969. VC-5 Detachment Cubi A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147779 from Naval Station Sangley Point, Cavite, Philippines heading Southeast over Manila Bay. In the background is the Northeast shore of Manila Bay with fish traps extending into the bay. Running to the left is the Bataan Area. Photograph by and from Warren A. Harms A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147678 UE-25 - 1969. This A-4C BuNo. 147678 is hauling an AQU37 drone missle for fleet inttroduction late in 1969. It was great fun to launch this drone because it dropped off the rails and then started it's engine after dropping 100 feet (or so) Photograph from Warren A. Harms A-4C Skyhawks BuNo. 147834 and 147752 - 1969. VC-5 Detachment Cubi A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147834 side number UE 27 leads Checkertail A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147752 side number UE 28 in a section takeoff at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Olongapo, Philippines. The flight of two was on its way to DaNang, South Vietnam. A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147779 - 1969. VC-5 Detachment Cubi A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147779 from Naval Station Sangley Point, Cavite, Philippines heading Southeast over Manila Bay. In the background is the Northeast shore of Manila Bay with fish traps extending into the bay. Running to the left is the Bataan Area. Photograph by and from Warren A. Harms. A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147678 - 1970. Checkertail UE 25 from VC-5 Detachment Cubi at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Olongapo, Philippines with gear and flaps down, speedbrakes out, on landing approach to Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, May 27, 1970. Black & white photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. VC-5 Skyhawk BuNo. 150002 - 1970 LTJG Steve Maximov heads VC-5 Checkertail Skyhawk BuNo. 150002 towards Japan after departing from Cubi Point, Philippines. Earlier in 1965 Skyhawk BuNo. 150002 was assigned with VA-72. Photograph by and from Warren A. Harms. 1973-75: BuNo151074 just before dropping a "DART". Joel Jeppson, VC-5 "Stoof"Driver 1973-75: BuNo151074 dropping a "DART". Joel Jeppson, VC-5 "Stoof"Driver 1973-75: BuNo152039 on the tarmac. Joel Jeppson, VC-5 "Stoof"Driver A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151162 - 1976 Checkertail UE 04 with gear and flaps down, speedbrakes out, on landing approach to Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 11, 1976. On the centerline stores rack is a TDU-10 towed target package (note the pod is much more slender than the D-704 "buddy" package, and the drogue is visible (in red) below and aft of the pod). Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149658 - 1976. VC-5 Det-CUBI A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149658 UE 10 landing at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan for repair on November 19, 1976. Marine Squadron VMA-211 had custody of BuNo. 149658 before VC-5. Photograph by Masaaki Hayakawa VC-5 Det Cubi Point - 1977 VC-5 Checkertail VC-5 Det Cubi Point, Philippines crew in the 1975 to 1977 time period. Who are these guys? Photograph from Robert A. Lay 1 June 1977 Checkertails Skyhawk flight line: l-r BuNo 152069, UE-11, BuNo 151162, UE-01 and BuNo 149658, UE-10. Gary Verver Collection A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 149658 - 1977. Checkertail UE 10 of the Cubi Point, VC-5 Detachment taxies to the runway at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 15, 1977. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151023 - 1977. Checkertail UE 06 of the Cubi Point, Philippines, VC-5 Detachment taxies next to his leader towards the runway at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 16, 1977. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. 01 Jun 1977 Checkertails Skyhawks L-r: BuNo 152069, UE-11, BuNo 151162, UE-04, and BuNo 149658, UE-10, parked on the flight line. Official Navy Photo. 01 Jun 1977 right front view of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 149658, UE-10, parked on the flight line with a RSS pod on the Subic centerline. Offical Navy Photo. 01 Jun 1977 close-up of RSS pod on the centerline of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 149658, UE-10, parked on the Subic flight line. Offical Navy Photo. 01 Jun 1977 another close-up of RSS pod on the centerline of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 149658, UE-10, parked on the Subic flight line. Offical Navy Photo. 01 Jun 1977 third close-up of RSS pod on the centerline of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 149658, UE-10, parked on the Subic flight line. Offical Navy Photo. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152039 - 1977 Det Cubi Checkertail UE 13 on the taxiway heading for the Kadena Air Base, Japan, runway July 16, 1977. The outboard stores rack carries a blue water sand filled shape for this flight. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 158518 - 1977 Det Cubi Checkertail UE 15 in high visibility colors, waits on the Kadena Air Base ramp for his wingman, July 16, 1977. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151162 - 1977 Checkertail UE 04 with gear and flaps down, speedbrakes out, on landing approach to Naval Air Station Atsugi, November 19, 1977. On the centerline stores rack is a TDU-10 towed target package. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 155117 - 1978 Checkertail UE 02 in high visibility colors, comes over the Naval Air Station Atsugi threshold in approach to a landing, May 28, 1978. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. 1978: Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 151178, UE-14, parked on the ramp next to the Slops wagon. Paul Jarvis May 1979 BuNo 151096, UE-05, as it intercepts a Soviet Badger reconnaissance aircraft near the west coast of Japan. U.S. Navy Photo 01 Jan 1981 Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 151096, UE-05, parked on the flight line next to TA-4J UE-02. An NC-8A Mobile Electric Power Plant (MEPP) is in the foreground. Official U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Coleman. 20 MAY 1981: in-flight view of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 151096, UE-20, as it intercepts a Soviet Badger reconnaissance aircraft near the west coast of Japan. US Navy A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151162 - 1981 Checkertail UE 04 with gear and flaps down, speedbrakes out, on landing approach to Naval Air Station Atsugi, July 18, 1981. There is nothing on the centerline stores rack this flight. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 155117 - 1981 Checkertail UE 02 painted in sea gray colors, comes over the Naval Air Station Atsugi threshold in approach to a landing, August 4, 1981. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. BuNo 142874, UE-27, parked on the ramp. LT Dudley Jones is painted beneath the cockpit. Nick Williams 1981: VC-5 A-4Fs and TA-4J on the Cubi flightline. Photograph from John Mosbarger 10 NOV 1982: BuNo 151023, UE-06, banking to the left over the Indian Ocean during Exercise Sandgroper `82. Navy 24 MAY 1984: UE-15 BuNo 158476 crashes killing one. BuNo 158476 Photo #2 BuNo 158476 Photo #3 BuNo 158476 Photo #4 Lance Patterson - A-4 pilot - VC-5 1985-1987, 1990-1992 Photos courtesy - BMC Dave Campbell USN (Ret.) Mid 1980s: Slick A-4E on the tarmac. John Bartels A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151023 - 1988 Checkertail UE 06 painted in sea gray colors cleans up after takeoff from Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, October 10, 1988. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 150121 - 1989 Checkertail UE 00 over the Naval Air Station Atsugi threshold with his gear and flaps down, speedbrakes out, October 10, 1989. 150121 is painted in the sea gray colors with an aggressor Soviet star on the rudder. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151125 - 1989 Checkertail UE 01 in sea gray colors with gear and flaps down, speedbrakes out, on landing approach to Naval Air Station Atsugi, October 10, 1989. The photographer was nearly under the Skyhawk when the picture was taken. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo. 155115 - 1989 Checkertail UE 16 in sea gray colors, comes over the Naval Air Station Atsugi threshold in his approach to a landing, October 10, 1989. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152001 - A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152001, side number UE 03, is pictured waiting for release short of the runway. Photograph by Masaaki Hayakawa 01 September 1989 Squadron maintenance personnel work on Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 151125, UE-01. US Navy Photo by PH1 M. Flynn. Sept 1989 Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 158454, UE-15, and Outlaws Skyhawk BuNo 154333, WA-2, sit in a hangar while undergoing maintenance during the combined Thai/U.S. joint Exercise Thalay Thai `89. U.S. Navy photo, PH1 Flynn 01 Sep 1989 RADM (lower half) James B. Best, Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific, consults with a ground crewman on the wing of CheckertailsSkyhawk BuNo 150121, UA-00, during the combined Thai/U.S. joint exercise Thalay Thai `89. U.S. Navy photo, PH1 Flynn 01 Sep 1989 RADM (lower half) James B. Best, Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific, in Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 150121, UA-00, taxis past a USAF B-52G Stratofortress aircraft during the Thai/U.S. joint exercise Thalay Thai 89. U.S. Navy photo, PH1 Flynn 01 Sep 1989 RADM (lower half) James B. Best, Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific, in Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 150121, UA-00, during the Thai/U.S. joint exercise Thalay Thai `89. U.S. Navy photo, PH1 Flynn 01 Sept 1989 left front view of a pair of Checkertails Skyhawks aircraft during the combined Thai/U.S. joint exercise Thalay Thai `89. TA-4 BuNo 155117, UE-14, in the foreground. US Navy Photo by PH1 Michael Flynn. 07 Sep 1989 close-up view of the photographer in Checkertails TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft with Checkertails BuNo 150121, UE-00, flying off the right side during exercise THALAY THAI `89. U.S. Navy photo, PH1 Flynn 07 Sep 1989 right side view of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 150121, UE-00, and VMFA-115 F/A-18A Hornet, during exercise THALAY THAI `89. U.S. Navy photo, PH1 Flynn 07 Sep 1989 left side view of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 150121, UE-00, during exercise THALAY THAI `89. U.S. Navy photo, PH1 Flynn 07 Sep 1989 another left side view of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 150121, UE-00, during exercise THALAY THAI `89. U.S. Navy photo, PH1 Flynn 22 May 1990 pilot of Checkertails Skyhawk BuNo 151125, UE-01, steps down from the cockpit. US Navy Photo by JO1 J.F. Lancaster. 22 May 1990 a video cameraman films the pilot of a Checkertails Skyhawk aircraft during Cobra Gold `90, a combined Thai/U.S. exercise. TA-4 BuNo 155115, UE-16, in the foreground. US Navy Photo by JO1 J. Lancaster. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152072 - 1991 Checkertail UE 01 cleaned up after takeoff in sea gray colors at Naval Air Station Atsugi runway May 20, 1991. Color photograph by and from Takafumi Hiroe of Yokohama, Japan. JUN 1991 -"Thar She Blows!" Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines erupts and a VC-5 TA-4J is there. Actually the VC-5 Skyhawks are on a fly-away. Photograph from Missy Cummings |
