The Golden Era of Naval Aviation by Mike Granat

Author:Mike Granat [Granat, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Trafford
Published: 2007-02-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Fighting Three

-Goodbye “Felix”

Shortly before my tour with VF-3 ended, the squadron was transfered to the Naval Air Station at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. It was quite a change for the family from the southern atmosphere of Virginia to that of New England. Despite the shortness of our stay there, we had a chance to savor the hospitality and flavors of this part of the country. Fortunately my next duty assignment, a Development and Test squadron, VX-2, would arrive in time to not have to endure the typical winter the Northeast is famous for.

In retrospect, I had probably developed more flying skills with VF-3 than with in any prior duty assignments. The leadership of Cdr. Bayers and flying with the highly experienced veterans of the squadron had honed those skills to where I could become an integral part of the aircraft. Control of the aircraft, in all aspects, seemed to have become a natural, no-thought process. The aircraft and I were one and the same.

With this new assignment, It occured to me that Cats had become engrained in my life. First, the PBY CATalina and the Black CAT. Then the F4F WildCAT, the F6F HellCAT and the succesor to the F6F, the F8F BearCAT. Let’s not forget the squadron mascot, Felix the CAT. And with this latest assignment I would finally meet up with that other missing Cat—the F7F Night Fighter, the TigerCAT. Little did I know at the time, but also waiting in the wings would be a surprising and nostalgic reunion with that lovable old bird, the PBY “CAT’alina.

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