Lake Champlain (CVS 39) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 33 text:

omg Z if t X Q ff ,, In iw, X , C , , ff f f, ' f V 1 it V ,, i wi, . . t. 1 , ,, Z fl V . 3 My V , , ,,, I ,J n if ff K A wo ff ,gn ,iz Q , W 2 ,. f , f If , , 1 7? t., 1' X f X l f f f fy' 7? ggi, , af The thin, moaning voice of pressure pumps suddenly rises to a scream. Gauges flicker into life and then snap to attention This is the signal that the Cat is ready. After a moment's pause, comes an explosive hiss of cables . . . another plane is airborne, thanks to V-2 Division. Responsibility for the catapults is only half of V-2's job-the other is operating the arresting gear which snaps the planes to a screeching halt upon touchdown. - When not operating their machinery, the guys in green, spend many long hours checking and maintaining it to assure sate takeofls and recoveries the next time flight quarters is sounded. l

Page 32 text:

-1 Model A's or S2F's-both are expertly handled by the men of V-l Division. Colorful V-l's primary responsibilities, of course, are with aircraft. They spot and check all topside planes and helos, exercise fire prevention and control during landing operations, and tend to general flight deck maintenance. However, as operators of the ship's cranes and elevators, V-l is also in charge of many other functions-such as loading and unloading of automobiles. They're the ones who keep you on pins and needles when your old horseless carriage is suspended on hooks some 50-feet in the air. 5 'fwvff , -, f, ,, V'--mwzqsaggtv

Page 34 text:

X .!'s,44,s, gs W tr, KVYWY QQ , xl, X, V N... WN- V Sfmgyf . 0 Q55 x . 1' s X ff' X V 5 if 'Ti ' i, One level below the flight deck, just a few feet from the color of takeoff and touchdown, are the unsung heroes of the Air Depart- ment-the hangar deck crew. This is V-3 Division. A group of 55 men who have the rugged assignment of loading and unloading aircraft on and off the elevators which transport them to and from the flight deck. These men cover some 60,000 square feetlof hangar deck space, and can actually govern the pace of launching and recovery aboard ship. Planes can't takeoff until V-3 gets them there, nor can they land until the flight deck has been cleared of other aircraft.