John,

Sorry to say that Dad only has a very few such photos, showing only static
situations and no hoists, launches, recoveries, etc. At the time, Dad was
serving a 4-year hitch as a non-rated man and - short of money for a camera
of his own - was dependent upon buddies for photos, etc. Most of the photos
he saved reflect the off-duty interests of he and of his shipmates.

You will do better to search publicly-available sources for such photos.

--
Mike Kanze

"You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't. Sign
here."

- Anonymous cop, to woman driver.



"John Keeney" wrote in message
...

"Mike Kanze" wrote in message
...
I'm writing this for my Dad, who is not Internet-literate - and at age 89
cares not to be:

CDR Robert F. Kanze:

Roughly 350 straight-deck passes before and during WWII mostly on RANGER
(CV-4), LEXINGTON (CV-2), and ENTERPRISE (CV-6). Post-WWII while LSO on
MINDORO (CVE-120). (Dad not only shot but also waved straight-deck
passes -
to a small deck.) Korean War traps on KEARSARGE (CVA-33). Exact number
of
straight-deck traps indeterminate since his original logbook went down
with
the old LEX during the Coral Sea battle, while flying with VF-2.

About 200 angle-deck passes, mostly on TICONDEROGA (CVA-14) and RANGER
(CVA-61).

Although not "tailhook" recoveries, he experienced numerous floatplane
"sled" recoveries to the pre-war USS TENNESSEE (BB-43) while a non-rated
aircrewman.

Along with the above, catapult shots on steam, hydraulic and gunpowder
cats,
the last while aboard TENNESSEE. Dad says the "hardest" shots were the
gunpowder ones, which would "throw your teeth back against your
neckbones."
g

But there are no old bold pilots!"

Dad may be the exception here. He still drives a 5-litre Mustang -
albeit
with wheelchair plates.

I would love to see/have scans of any prewar photos, esp the floatplane
ops.