WWII NAVAL AVIATOR FLIGHT LOGBOOKS

[KASTAUFFER]

 

[KASTAUFFER]

USMC Corsair Pilot from VMF-215 who was shot down near Rabaul and died as a POW of the Japanese.

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

[sonofaFlyingDeuce]

Yes, the flight logs are fascinating; I've spent hours studying my father's seven as well as his diaries and letters.

 

VMF-215 and my father's VMF-222 became "Sister Squadrons" when they trained the together to fly the F4U-1 "Birdcages" in late 1942 at MCAS Santa Barbara. Afterwards, they were in the same air groups at Ewa, Midway, Munda, Vella Lavela, and Bougainville. Dad must have known J. J. Knight as well as another Knight in 215 who fortunately had only one "J" to go by (222 had two pilots named Moore but their parents had the foresight not to have given them the same initials).

 

215's January 1944 War Diary, has in their after action report for 13 January, this account is given by Knight's section leader after their division jumped three Zekes (Zeros) over St. George's Channel: "...We then went after the last one. We all got shots at him and set him to smoking, when he did a violent wing-over to the left right in front of Knight. Knight poured led straight into the top of him as he came around in front of him and he plunged into the water."

 

There was no other mention of 2nd Lt J.J. Knight after that except in the casualty section of the report where his status was listed as: "Did not return from mission." VMF-215 also lost two more pilots that day, one named Moore.

[KASTAUFFER]

I never really knew Knights full story until I got both his IDPF and service record from the archives.

 

There is a fascinating document in there that documents his subsequent capture and death on a Japanese ship that was sunk by US aircraft.

 

Kurt

[Jim MacDonald]

I was looking for info on F4U-1 BuNo 02449 & wondering if anybody here had a logbook that mentioned that plane. She is being restored by Vultures Row Aviation in CA. The history below was sent to me by the owner Chuck Wahl.

 

Date of Manufacture 3/10/43. BuAer 02449. Const#297 (the 297th corsair built), Vought MFG No 3079.

02449 started its SoPac tour arriving in the South Pacific on May 5 1943. For May and June 02449 was a probable VMF-112 Guadalcanal aircraft (history card indicates MAG11). Then in late June to early July 02449 was acquired by the Swashbucklers (VMF-214 prior to Boyington) to train in the "New" Corsair and was with Swashbucklers in July Aug 1943 (under MAG11) until they officially became VMF-214 "BlackSheep" with Boyington as the CO on Sept 7, 1943 and was at Fighter strip 1, turtle bay, Espiritu Santo until it's crash Oct 1 1943.

 

The accident report that I have, has the plane with VMF-212 at the time of the crash or at least the pilot, 1st Lt. Preston Peter Wolfe, Jr., was with 212.

 

If anyone has a logbook for these squadrons or any other Marine squadrons deployed to the Solomons area during those dates, I would appreciate it if you could take the time to see if BuNo 02449 is mentioned. Chuck does first class work in his restorations (SBD, SB2C) for his customers, but this one is his own personal project and he's trying to get as much history on her as possible.

 

Thanks,

 

Mac

[flymike12650]

This logbook belonged to MSgt R F Kennedy of VMSB-243

Hi Mark! Raymond Francis Kennedy was my father. I had his logbook until the early 1980s when it was taken from the Skyroamers office at Opa Locka Airport in Florida. (I had brought it there to get help from other club members in interpreting it) Skyroamers was a flying club (five airplanes) and I was a check pilot for them.

I'd like to get the logbook back. My email is michaelgkennedy@yahoo.com Thanks>

[sonofaFlyingDeuce]

Sorry Mac, but I've got a "near miss" for you, the plane that must have been next in line to be registered that day (hmm, at NAS North Island?): BuAer 02450. My father, then 2nd Lt W. O. "Pappy" Reid, flew it that one time on 30 June 1943 for one hour on a "Tactics hop" at Midway. He was with VMF-222.

.

[flymike12650]

Hi Mark Leonard!

 

Raymond F Kennedy was my father. Curious to learn how you came upon his logbook.

[KASTAUFFER]

Hi Mark Leonard!

 

Raymond F Kennedy was my father. Curious to learn how you came upon his logbook.

Mark has not been on the forum since October. It may be a while until he gets back to you.

 

Kurt

[KASTAUFFER]

My most recent logbook acquisition! 

Group of 7 logbooks to a Naval Aviator who served from 1941 through the 1970s.

During WWII he served with VT-16 on the USS Lexington as a Radioman/Gunner on a TBF-1 Avenger earning a DFC and an Air Medal. He became a pilot himself after the war.

His most famous mission took place on June 19-20 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea . He and  his pilot  were both featured in the book “Mission Before Darkness” about Air Group 16 and their actions that day. A copy of the book came with it autographed to him by the author. The pilot earned the Navy Cross and he earned the DFC for that mission.

In his first log, all of the pilots in his squadron signed his book. He noted that many of them were killed in action later on.

I have taken pictures of some of the pages in his World War II log.


[WWIIinterviews]

Fantastic collection of log books! I have only one, it is not navy, it is AAF of a TC pilot during MG and Varsity. He was with the 316th TCG and towed gliders for both.

[Longbranch]

That VT-16 lot is definitely a cool grouping!!! 🙂

[KASTAUFFER]

3 hours ago, Longbranch said:

That VT-16 lot is definitely a cool grouping!!! 🙂

Definitely and thanks!

[KASTAUFFER]

This is a very interesting Canadian flight log used by an American who earned his wings with the RCAF in 1941 and transferred back to the USA and flew SBD’s in combat with the US Marine Corps. He continued to use the Canadian log even after he transferred to the USMC.

I have not posted every page . The log covers 1941-1947
 

 

[dustin]

Does anyone have any flight logs for US Navy VPB-33?

[jerry_k]

Maybe not logbook but something related to VBP-33. Saved a pic from Ebay more that 10 years ago...

 

[AustinO]

Though it may not help immensely, I just picked up a fantastic grouping to a VB-8 pilot and found this in the front cover of his second log book.  A good legible summary of "characters of flights" should you need it.  

[Ronald]

Austin

This was (OSS Agent) Mike Burke's brother. He was stationed at Watsonville and was in VB-8. I have his flight helmet and goggles though damages from salt water/impact.

[AustinO]

Oh interesting @Ronald! My guy transitioned from VB-8 in late 44 when Bunker Hill cycled back to the states for refit, he spent the rest of the war stateside.  

[KASTAUFFER]

@AustinOI have a large VB-8 group to a pilot named Spohn from that same tour. I basically got everything but his logbooks.  I know the logbook and some photos got split up from what I have, 
 

Kurt

[Ronald]

I have some paper work, do you want me to post or send it to you. Ron

[AustinO]

18 hours ago, KASTAUFFER said:

@AustinOI have a large VB-8 group to a pilot named Spohn from that same tour. I basically got everything but his logbooks.  I know the logbook and some photos got split up from what I have, 
 

Kurt

 

Kurt, different pilots, looks like Spohn usually flew as 3rd Section leader - as did my guy.  They would have rotated missions I'm sure, I'm not seeing them as having flown together (but only went through a few pages of the war diaries).  The OCR on my fellows name is non-existent (its a mouthful and commonly misspelled), so I've had to go page by page to find him online.  Did you get any photos in your grouping?  If so I'll shoot you a PM as I'd be interested to know if my fellow is pictured. 

 

Core of my grouping is his fantastic painted MK1 vest, with an early iteration of the VB-8 squadron insignia: 

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

Hi Austin

 

i have a few photos including 1 squadron photo.

 

Kurt

[Tugboater1991]

I have this one from a pbm crew member