WW II VP question

[Allen Epps]

All,
Doing a little research for a friend of mine who is looking to get a
print customized for his father. His father was a first class PO in
1944 as a radar instructor in PBY's at NAS Jax. Any thoughts as to what
squadron this might be and if they would have any different markings
than the typical blue/gray of that era? From what I found it looks like
VPB-2 was the biggest at the time but that looked to be an OTU. Would a
basic training squadron have even had radar equiped planes at that time
and what model Catalina would it have been, I would assume a 5 or 5A.
Thanks for the help

Pugs
Catonsville, MD

[WDA]

You might try the Navy Historical Center at: http://www.history.navy.mil/

WDA

end

"Allen Epps" > wrote in message
et...
> All,
> Doing a little research for a friend of mine who is looking to get a
> print customized for his father. His father was a first class PO in
> 1944 as a radar instructor in PBY's at NAS Jax. Any thoughts as to what
> squadron this might be and if they would have any different markings
> than the typical blue/gray of that era? From what I found it looks like
> VPB-2 was the biggest at the time but that looked to be an OTU. Would a
> basic training squadron have even had radar equiped planes at that time
> and what model Catalina would it have been, I would assume a 5 or 5A.
> Thanks for the help
>
> Pugs
> Catonsville, MD

[Allen Epps]

Thanks, been there as well as VPNavy.com. The problem is the vast
amount of PBY sqaudrons at the time particulalry in Jax area. Was
hoping someone could break down which were training and which were
operational
Allen

In article >, WDA
> wrote:

> You might try the Navy Historical Center at: http://www.history.navy.mil/
>
> WDA
>
> end
>
> "Allen Epps" > wrote in message
> et...
> > All,
> > Doing a little research for a friend of mine who is looking to get a
> > print customized for his father. His father was a first class PO in
> > 1944 as a radar instructor in PBY's at NAS Jax. Any thoughts as to what
> > squadron this might be and if they would have any different markings
> > than the typical blue/gray of that era? From what I found it looks like
> > VPB-2 was the biggest at the time but that looked to be an OTU. Would a
> > basic training squadron have even had radar equiped planes at that time
> > and what model Catalina would it have been, I would assume a 5 or 5A.
> > Thanks for the help
> >
> > Pugs
> > Catonsville, MD
>
>

[Jim Carriere]

Here is a longshot of an idea... try the base paper:

http://www.jaxairnews.com/

Maybe someone works there might have an answer or at least give you a lead.

Here is a longer shot idea, one of the gate guard aircraft has got to be a
PBY (there are a lot of different birds parked there), if you're really
lucky there could be one with a paint job that is you're answer. Since it
is a long way from Maryland to Florida, longshot suggestion #1 may be able
to facilitate longshot suggestion #2...

"Allen Epps" > wrote in message
et...
> Thanks, been there as well as VPNavy.com. The problem is the vast
> amount of PBY sqaudrons at the time particulalry in Jax area. Was
> hoping someone could break down which were training and which were
> operational
> Allen
>
> In article >, WDA
> > wrote:
>
> > You might try the Navy Historical Center at:
http://www.history.navy.mil/
> >
> > WDA
> >
> > end
> >
> > "Allen Epps" > wrote in message
> > et...
> > > All,
> > > Doing a little research for a friend of mine who is looking to get a
> > > print customized for his father. His father was a first class PO in
> > > 1944 as a radar instructor in PBY's at NAS Jax. Any thoughts as to
what
> > > squadron this might be and if they would have any different markings
> > > than the typical blue/gray of that era? From what I found it looks
like
> > > VPB-2 was the biggest at the time but that looked to be an OTU. Would
a
> > > basic training squadron have even had radar equiped planes at that
time
> > > and what model Catalina would it have been, I would assume a 5 or 5A.
> > > Thanks for the help
> > >
> > > Pugs
> > > Catonsville, MD
> >
> >

[Allen Epps]

Jim Carriere wrote:
> Here is a longshot of an idea... try the base paper:
>
> http://www.jaxairnews.com/
>
> Maybe someone works there might have an answer or at least give you a lead.
>
>

Good advice snipped. Thanks for the help. My friend contacted the base
PAO who put him in touch with the local history guy where he found that
there was only one training squadron at the time, which was VPB-2. They
did have four detachments spread around but all the planes (PBY-5's)
where painted identically so he's all set. thanks again for the help.

Pugs
Catonsville, MD