Coral Sea (CV 43) - Naval Cruise Book

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e-, ,phil Mia 1 Montoya, F. Oeracvis, C. Ramos, T.R. Reeves, DC. Richardson, M Riggs, F.A. Roden, D, Schlesener, H, Schlesener D Settles WP Smxth SM Strlckland G Todd M Tromans F Vnllegas R Walker D

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Culpepper, D.V. DeCastro B R Denclauw, KJ. Dewltt, M,A. Dolge, Dutton S Dykeman, P. Elliot, D. Fesser, DJ. 1 Gavln D Grbson, D. Q1 l E Goddard D. Gosnell, D.W. Greco Klnzer R Kirk L -'sr...l'1 Kromas, K. Larsen, T. McLaughlin Lingenfelser, R.G. Lunasin, R.A. Mengulta, CO. Miller J Montgomery, G

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l l E VFP-63 .ai VFP-63 DET 2 Light Photraphic Squadron 63 began in 1949 at NAS Miramar, California and originally flew the F813-ZP Bearcat. In rapid succession the Squadron acquired the F4U-5P Corsair, the PB4Y-1P Liberator, the F613-6P Hellcat, the P913-ZP Panther, the FZH-ZP Banshee, P9P-6P Cougar, RF-8A Crusader, A3-2P Skywarrior, and the present RF- SG Crusader. . ' The RF-SG Crusader is a single seat, single engine supersonic aircraft powered by a Pratt 85 Whitneyj57P-420 and capable of speeds up to 1000 miles per hour. Originally designed as a fighter, the F-8 was introduced to the Navy in 1956 and immediately began setting speed records. In August 1956 an F-8 set a new world speed record of 1015 miles per hour over China Lake, Calif. Today, VFP-63 supports five Detachments which deploy to the Western Pacific and to the Mediterranean aboard the U.S. Navy Carriers. Detachment Two is an integral part of CVW-1 providing reconnaissance in support of the fleet. Utilizing the 70mm and 5 inch format KA and KS series cameras it can provide vertical, oblique, and panoramic photography in a wide range of scales. The RP-8G system is comprised of four separate camera stations. Station one is located in a blister on the underside of the aircraft just aft of the cockpit and mounts a forward fire oblique camera. This station is ideally suited for route studies and check point photography as it provides a pilots- eye view of the subject. Station two mounts a panoramic camera for horizon-to-horizon coverage. Station three and four are identical stations located onthe left and right side of the aircraft. The camera mounts in these are fully rotable and operate at the following depression angles: 90 Cverticalb, 86, 81, 30, 15, and 5. The cameras may be rotated to any of these positions while the aircraft is airborne. The camera control system enables the pilot to select each bay individually in combination, or to use all stations simultaneously. Utilizing maximum film loads in all stations, the RF-SG can produce approximately 5600 individual pictures in a single mission. Although the Crusader is 20 years old, it will most likely continue as the Navy's reconnaissance workhorse until the mid-1980's. At that time, VFP-65 will be involved in the introduction of the new generationl' reconnaissance platform. Meanwhile, VFP-63 continues to be the Eyes of the Pleetu.