US Navy VS-862 Fighter Sub Killers Patch - Need Help With History

[mds308]

This patch is part of pilot grouping. I've had no luck getting information on VS-862 other than sub hunters. I believe it's from the early 1950s. Maybe very late 1940s. The patch depicts an eagle on the shoulder of bear while the bear is ripping a submarine apart. I have this pilots helmet (APH-5) with the VS-862 stenciled on the back. I'm looking for history, carrier served on, type of plane/s etc.

 

Thanks for your assistance,

 

Michael

[mds308]

Here is the back view of the APH-5 Helmet. Thanks.

[Salvage Sailor]

This patch is part of pilot grouping. I've had no luck getting information on VS-862 other than sub hunters. I believe it's from the early 1950s. Maybe very late 1940s. The patch depicts an eagle on the shoulder of bear while the bear is ripping a submarine apart. I have this pilots helmet (APH-5) with the VS-862 stenciled on the back. I'm looking for history, carrier served on, type of plane/s etc.

 

Thanks for your assistance,

 

Michael

 

U.S. Naval Reserve (VS-862) Carrier ASW Squadron flying out of NAS Norfolk, VA 1958-1959

 

See page 15 https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aeronautical%20Organization/1953-1968/fy1959-oct58.pdf

 

Nice Naval Reserve patch, I have a USNR patch topic here http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/249726-us-naval-reserve-on-land-sea-and-air/

[northcoastaero]

Nice USN VS-862 squadron orange painted APH-5 flight helmet from the mid/late 1950s-early 1960s time frame.

vpnavy.org does not mention VS-862. There is a VP-862 on their website with very little information.

VS-862 most likely flew the Grumman S2F Tracker carrier borne ASW aircraft. Re-designated S-2 Tracker

sometime during 1962. The S2F replaced the hunter-killer team ASW aircraft such as the AF-2W and

AF-2S Guardian during the 1950s. Also, my Squadron/Signal Publications book on USN Carrier Air Units

does not mention VS-862. Below are a couple of links. Hope this helps.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_S-2_Tracker

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_AF_Guardian

[mds308]

Thanks a bunch northcoastaero and Salvage Sailor,

 

That's great information. I will display some more stuff from this group. My guess is the patch is a scarce one. Is it possible there isn't much information due to VS-862 wasn't around long?

[northcoastaero]

That could be a possibility. According to vpnavy.org VS-861 was in existence for

less than a year. There is very little information on their website about VS-863.

Could you post an image of the front of the helmet with the visor in the up position

so that the interior can be seen? Also an image of the right side. Thank-you.

[US82Bravo]

Naval Aeronautical Organization OPNAVNOTICE 05400 for fiscal year 1959 shows VS-862 supported by the Norfolk Base.

OPNAV Notice for 1963 shows the same with additional details regarding personnel. It also shows 12 S2A aircraft as part of NARTU & MARTD (Naval Air Reserve Training Unit & Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment).

I do not have access to the interim years reports to verify the unit's existence other than what is shown below.

 

#1

 

[US82Bravo]

#2

 

[mds308]

The inside of this helmet is bad. Actually, the ear pads have crumbled away. The leather pads are intact. The visor is stuck in place. I haven't done any cleaning or repair. It looks like the visor is off track. The helmets (I have a different earlier helmet too) were stored in a poorly maintained garage/basement. There's an attached mic too. My apologies for the bad images. I blasted these out with lack of attention.

[mds308]

us82bravo,

Funny you should mention the Naval & Marine Air Reserve. Below is a picture of my pilot, Lt Commander O'Donnell, taken by his wing man flying an F8F Bearcat over the James River. I've zoomed in on the cockpit to show you the stenciling and the helmet he is wearing. It's a Gentex H4. You can barely make out the decals on the front of his helmet. They are Vargas style girls. I know this because this helmet too is in my grouping from his estate. I will post this story in another thread.

[US82Bravo]

1963 NOTICE page -

 

 

 

Larry

[northcoastaero]

Nice helmet. It may be a Mine Safety Appliance (MSA) manufactured APH-5 based on the material and shape

of the fitting pads. Also, the style of the blue visor lock knob. Another manufacturer was Gentex.

[mds308]

It appears the APH-5 is not a desirable helmet but attached to the pilot with the grouping, it should help raise the bar of interest.

 

Thanks again for all your help.

[northcoastaero]

The missing front part of the ear cups would be the brownish colored ones made from a dense foam like

the fitting pads are. Same for the ear seals that are glued onto the very front. There was another

foam/leather type ear cup for the APH-5 that was made from a black coated dense foam with a glue on

tan leather ear seal. The ones that you need are hard to find and you may have to purchase an

incomplete APH-5 helmet to acquire them. The other foam/leather ear cups can be found new in the

box. The following is a list of sources for helmet parts:

 

flighthelmet.com

bellsaviation.com

aviationhelmets.com

garciaaviation.com

flyboyplus.com

ebay.com

 

I look forward to seeing photos of your H-4.

[mds308]

northcoastaero,<br /><br />Thank you for the information and your shared interest. I will have more images soon. The APH-5 will be left as found with the exception of non-evasive TLC. The visor needs some adjusting too. No major restoration on my end. The remains of the ear pads will continue to crumble. The H4 needs some outer detailed cleaning and the leather pads on the inside remain supple. Sweat stained but nice. What I like most about the H4 is the goofy spines on the top. It looks so primitive. Reminds me of the old professional and college football helmets.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Michael

[Brian Keith]

Great Thread. I enjoyed reading about this find, and appreciate those who helped the OP to get further information.

BKW