Leyte (CVA 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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...-. T., .. ,,,. -.. ,...., , , , :1...Q--Y-eq - .:v:-L-ry---M -- -A-A4f::fw:ah-:stirsiisfrifzzsfffrrsffre--g::a:'1-ff A. :sf-:zfP:.rL1:?1Tffsiim' 'fi THE V-l DIVISION is the muscle-men's group aboard the LEYTE. By means of tractors or sheer manpower, the flight deck and hangar deck handling crews must constantly maneuver the many planes about the deck, and position them according to a spot , as directed by the Flight Deck Officer. This spot may, and frequently does change time and time again during the course of an operation, and these tireless crews must constantly be on the alert to respot , to conform to the latest arrange- ment of planes which the Flight Deck Boss has decided upon. , NEEDLESS to say, too, the boys in V-l must develop all the agility and bounce of a kangaroo, especially while maneuvering planes about the flight deck during the take- off period. Picking their way nimbly around the deck, they must avoid not only the menacingly whirring pro- pellers of the conventionals , but also take great care to keep well clear of the searing and torrid blasts from the exhausts of the jet planes. This is difficult enough to do under ordinary conditions, but when you combine it with a rolling, pitching deck, thirty-five knots of blustering wind, and fifty or sixty. planes, you can see what a job it can be. But these boys are equal to this and more, besides, and have established a fine record, especially during this latest European cruise. ' Upper Left: Hot-Suit Man Yager, F. L., AN, mans his post at the flight deck, and awaits alny evenft whicg 'vylougd iall him into . u o 4 4 1 Q ' ' t hh. action, for it 1S he who must rush out in his asbestos suit and iight the fire which may brea out a ter a ig ec cras Center: All Set To Go! says F. D. Fisher, ABC, and H. Todd, AB3, as they give the traditional thumbs-up signal of readiness, The catapult gang sends another FQF Pantherjet winging on its way skyward, which to pilots seems like being shot from a gun. U er Ri ht: Well, a Little relaxation for these boys on the Hight deck between hops, and this rest period seems all too short PP 8 for these hard-working boys. Time for a few random remarks about the launch, and other things, and Oh, whens the next hop? A Lower Left: Another important link in the launching process: LT. Gifford gives a signal to an FQF to send it on its Way up to the catapult. It's exercises such as these that keep his waistline down to such slim proportions. Any volunteers? Lower Right: Nearly Everybody seems to want to get into the act during this fire drill on the flight deck. What may appear to be utter confusion is actually a smoothly-run fire drill, in which all elements of a dangerous fire are realistically simulated. mmauvmmmmw :ua- - .. .. , . -ll -,I . . ., .... ,, . .- .. .... . ..,, . I . ,mm,N

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First Row: 'W. D. Caldwellg O. Stevensg H. F.. Hattewayg E. M. Kouteckyg P. R. Dunlapg LT. M. Sassmang LT. R. H. Smithg F. D. Fisherg C. C Bartehneg R. D. VVeyersg D. D. Dayisg Kuhl. . Second Row: E. L. VVeyersg P. O. Fulkersong T. C. Wrightg P. W. Kirstatterg L. L. Lavertg G. Wfalraveng YV. A. Hilbertg D. LaCoursiereg F. N Christensiang D. Turpeng B. R. McCartncyg P R. Marting W. L. Burton Third Row: M. Mirayesg WV. Schrnidg R. E. Ogleg G. R. Haughtg H. I. Bardg V. E. Adzunsp R. G. Godwing L. H. Arnoldg W. K. Evittg C. R. Hallg E. E Dowlingg R. M. Turnerg L. Harris. Fourth Row: P. R. Haskellg R. E. Pieperg D. D. Dannerg F. Rowlandg R Stapeitong Moody, Jr.g C. D. Walkerg E. Matting R. W. Bradyg W Gudeg A. S. Latncasterg Lapp. Fifth Row: C. J. Detwillerg N. F. Olligesg C. S. Grimmg T. R. Arwe, jr. E. DeLong3 M. L. VVestg R. A. Nixong W. E. Chihong C. K. Harrisg H. A Hymong E. S. Harrisong E. H. Tatumg L. T. Cawley. Sixth Row: R. H. Mfillisg R. R. Heatong B. R. Keysg Mullaneyg R. F Harrsg R. G. Breadyg L. D. M. Hillg D. Fitzgeraldg Gedel, Jug E Thompsong F. L. Yagerg A. M. Okellg P. Blum. 1

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THE REPAIR EIGHT CREW, another part of the V-l Division has fortunately not been as busy as it might have been during our cruise, but the members of this important team must always be on the job and ready for crashes and casualties to plane or pilot. The deck must be kept clear for other landings and fire hazard must be kept to a minimum. Hot-suit men fire hoses crash boxes mobile cranes and any other apparatus must be immediately available for any emergency. Rescue the pilot first then look to the plane THE CATAPULT AND ARRESTING GEAR CREWVS fill out the V-l Division compliment These fine crews are working hard not only during the launches and re- coveries but during free periods which they spend main- taining their equipment. THE men working the cats must be sure that their equipment is always operating at the peak of efficiency for theirs is the vital job of launching the jet aircraft and every launch must be perfect. When the planes re- turn from a hop the men on the arresting gear or AG man their stations and handle the eleven arresting wires which operate by hydraulic engines and enable the air- craft to land and come to a full stop within less than 150 feet CK 77 J 7 7 ll 57 ! 7 ll 91 Y 1 1 1 : , . J - , Upper Left: Up from the hangar deck pops one of fighting 34's yellow-nosed Pantherjets. Two of the muscle-men take it from there to help it along to its position while waiting to be catapulted. These plane-pushers were heard to ask: Who says this is the machine age? t Upper Right: Another ticklish job which must be done quickly, and above all efficiently: positioning a jet plane on the catapult for a launch. This sort of effectiveness comes only after long experience, as any one of these boys can tell you. Lower Left: From a swarm of others, an F4U-4 is moved out of its spot , to be sent to a launching position by one of the flight deck directors. These whirring propellers make a tremendous noise, and the planes must be guided by means of visual signals. Lower Right: Doping out the next spot in Flight Deck Control is no easy task, for it requires patience, ingenuity, and a little Hguesstimationu. Left to right: LT. J. M. Sassman, J. M. Davis, AB2, Augulette, AB2, R. C. Woolton, AE3, and P. L. Milligan, ABC, ponder a new problem. .