Lexington (CVA 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 24 text:

,f X ' i ,f I ii If ,fs yr s 4 ,f 5 ', ' ' ,Y 1 I ' X . ,J VFP-61 SWEARS ABOVE PlCTURE WAS TELESCOPIC SHOT BY PHOTO-PLANE MAKING APPROACH. CDR D. L. IRGENS Air Officer F9 AT THE l80 High in the Pri-Fly greenhouse that com- mands the flight deck, the Air Ofhcer and Asst. Air Ofhcer supervise the movements of the shipls aircraft. Crowded air-operations schedules make for an almost continuous How of traffic, a condition Which demands strict control cf both flight-deck and airborne activity. This accomplished, the launch on the split-second, the series of rapid recoveries, and the ever-ready deck, all become part of a routine pattern. CDR J. RITCHIE Asst. Air Officer 4

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lag ww. L a4..vmx,Q A n x Q N., f ,W ,X ,. , X fwwf w 4- f

Page 25 text:

RESPOT SPOT AND MULE DRIVER, plane pushers, await word to move giant AJ into position I' Spottingw planes has nothing to do with observ- ing them, as the crew of V-1 divison knows only too well. Called upon at all hours of the day and night to muscle aircraft about the Hight deck, theirs is a job which seems somehow out of context with the sleek, powerful machines they manipulate. But although the miniature yellow tractors at their disposal are a boon to long-distance respotting, they are rendered virtually useless when the deck is cluttered and clearances bet- ween aircraft are reduced to a matter of inches. It is then that the pushers swing into action, performing precise maneuvers at the bidding of a man with aloud whistle, and a louder voice. PUSHERS LOCATE FJ ON EXACT SPOT ASSIGNED BY AC HANDLING OFFICER. LT W.A. FINLAY, JR