carrabassett Posted October 29, 2023 #1 Posted October 29, 2023 Picked this up yesterday and was hoping someone could help me identify. Not really my specialty area but thought it was too cool to pass up. Pilot’s name appears to be “Curtis” and the gentleman that sold it said he was told that the pilot flew off an aircraft carrier. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
atb Posted October 29, 2023 #2 Posted October 29, 2023 Checklist is for a Grumman C-1A Trader, a Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) aircraft. Google the squadron, VA-192.
carrabassett Posted October 29, 2023 Author #3 Posted October 29, 2023 “World Famous Golden Dragons”, I love it! Thanks. Pretty amazing history. Now to figure out the pilot…?
yves-croc Posted October 29, 2023 #4 Posted October 29, 2023 Hi, Could be John Granville CURTIS Jr, Naval Officer Lieutnant in 1964 VA 192 aboard USS Bon Homme RIchard, number six in squadron order Best Croc
carrabassett Posted October 29, 2023 Author #5 Posted October 29, 2023 Croc, Thank you so much, I think you’re correct! I just found his obituary on line and is copied below. THOMASTON - John G. Curtis Jr., 88, passed peacefully, Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Maine Medical Center in Portland. John was born September 1, 1929, in Auburn and grew up in Bridgton, where he graduated from Bridgton Academy, class of 1948, and the University of Maine, Orono, class of 1952. After graduation from UMO he joined the U.S. Navy where he received his training as a carrier pilot. John served as a fighter pilot aboard the USS Saratoga, the USS Oriskany and the USS Bon Homme Richard. Shore duty included a stint at the Naval Academy as a math instructor and a tour at the Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Navy he moved to California to be near his two beloved daughters. While in California he was a flight instructor for private pilots of small planes. His favorite and first love was instruction in an open cockpit biplane teaching loops, spins, and barrel rolls. He later worked as a private pilot for different corporations. Best, Jim
1st Sgt CES Posted October 31, 2023 #6 Posted October 31, 2023 Great Helmet----I like it a lot----the marking on the helmet are really nice
_Will_ Posted November 1, 2023 #7 Posted November 1, 2023 Hi Jim, Really nice helmet, thanks for sharing 😉 Feel free to get in touch if you don’t intend to keep it. Will.
cricket Posted November 8, 2023 #8 Posted November 8, 2023 Nice helmet, feel free to message me if you don't intend to keep it, I would also be interested... FYI - the included mask as is would not have been used with the helmet. The helmet would require the "Christmas Tree" style bayonets while your mask has the "Butterfly" bayonets.
Deadpan81 Posted January 9, 2024 #9 Posted January 9, 2024 This weekend i found this helmet from a collector i frequent, he told me got it at a yard sale. ive done my best with time i have and figured this helmet to me a APH-6 helmet, i do not see a name any where on here, how you see it is how i found it. I found this form and signed up so i can share.
cricket Posted January 9, 2024 #10 Posted January 9, 2024 Nice helmet. 6 minutes ago, Deadpan81 said: This weekend i found this helmet from a collector i frequent, he told me got it at a yard sale. ive done my best with time i have and figured this helmet to me a APH-6 helmet, i do not see a name any where on here, how you see it is how i found it. I found this form and signed up so i can share. Nice helmet
adda91 Posted October 8, 2024 #11 Posted October 8, 2024 On 10/29/2023 at 11:24 PM, carrabassett said: Croc, Thank you so much, I think you’re correct! I just found his obituary on line and is copied below. THOMASTON - John G. Curtis Jr., 88, passed peacefully, Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Maine Medical Center in Portland. John was born September 1, 1929, in Auburn and grew up in Bridgton, where he graduated from Bridgton Academy, class of 1948, and the University of Maine, Orono, class of 1952. After graduation from UMO he joined the U.S. Navy where he received his training as a carrier pilot. John served as a fighter pilot aboard the USS Saratoga, the USS Oriskany and the USS Bon Homme Richard. Shore duty included a stint at the Naval Academy as a math instructor and a tour at the Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Navy he moved to California to be near his two beloved daughters. While in California he was a flight instructor for private pilots of small planes. His favorite and first love was instruction in an open cockpit biplane teaching loops, spins, and barrel rolls. He later worked as a private pilot for different corporations. Best, Jim https://www.ebay.com/itm/405269803492
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now