Shangri La (CV 38) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 13 text:

Maiden voyage. lost flying speed and dropped gently to the broad flight deck, hooked securely to the Hrst arresting cable. Two minutes later the big plane raced the length of the flight deck and was air-borne-the first takeoff was history. After four more practice landings Commander Sherrill returned to the Naval Air Station at Norfolk. The Shangrz'-La had won her Wings, and so turning downwind, retraced her course to the Norfolk Navy Yard for a final checkup before shakedown. The arduous tasks of provisioning, loading ammunition and deperming were accomplished in record time, making the Shangrz'-La available for duty three days ahead of schedule. Air Group 85 reported aboard for duty November - ----f- 'Wit - -f -

Page 12 text:

Fzttmg out Norfolk Navy Yard Her trial run commenced in the early morning of October 15 1944 as she proceeded under her own power down the Elizabeth River to Chesapeake Bay. One by one the fires were lighted under her eight boilers as the White bow Wave crept higher and higher with each increased revolution from her four racing propellers aboard at 1132 responding to the directions of Lt Comdr L A Whitney, acting as landing signal officer From the time his TBM first hove into View all idle hands Were topside to Watch the pilot bring his ship gracefully into the groove Flaps and arresting hook down the Avenger seemed to hover as she Commander W. Sherrill, Commander Air Group 85, landed the first plane

Page 14 text:

Cake cutting celebration-First Landing. I 10 'F .G 1 5, 4 x 1 4 l 4 K 4 ?J