VP40 Web Site

Well I finally have some time to catch up on the web site. I have some pictures, and articles to post here.

I will be adding these to the site this week, so check in regularly.

I received 3 books in the mail yesterday from Ted Kessler.

Flying Boats & Amphibians  by David Oliver

The American Flying Boat  by Captain Richard C. Knott USN

Aircraft of the National Air and Space Museum by the Smithsonian Institution

these will be added to our group library. They will be on display at our reunions in the future.

thanks to Ted for this donation.

 

 

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

to all my fellow VP40 shipmates and friends

I wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year.

 

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Obituary for Captain Eugene Wisenbaker

here is the obit for Capt. Eugene Wisenbaker.wisenbaker

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Happy Holidays

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

I realize I have not been very active on our web site but I have been busy doing FAA work. Now that is slowed down  I will have time to post some things on here.

thanks for continuing to use the site., and keep the pictures and stories coming !!!!

Guy Fisk

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Aviator Memories

Aviator Memories.

You see them at air base terminals around the world. You see them in the morning early, often at night.

They come in Nomex flight suits and hatted, wings over their left pocket; they show up looking ready to fly.

There’s a brisk, young-old look of efficiency about them. They arrive fresh from home, from hotels, carrying hang-up bags, battered book bags; bulging with a wealth of technical information, data, and manuals filled with regulations and rules.

They know the new, harsh sheen of Charleston’s runway. They know the cluttered approaches to McGuire; they know the tricky shuttle that is Travis; they know but do not relish the intricate instrument approaches to various foreign airports; they know the volcanoes near Sigonella.

They respect foggy Travis. They know the up-and-down walk to the gates at Dallas, the Texas sparseness of Abilene, the very narrow Berlin Corridor, New Orleans’ sparkling terminal, the milling crowds at Washington. They know Butte, Boston, and Beirut. They appreciate Miami’s perfect weather; they recognize the danger of an ice-slick runway at JFK.

They understand short runways, antiquated fire equipment, inadequate approach lighting, but there is one thing they will never comprehend: Complacency. They marvel at the exquisite good taste of hot coffee in Anchorage and a cold beer in Guam. They vaguely remember the workhorse efficiency of the DC-3s, the reliability of the DC-4s and DC-6s, the trouble with the DC-7 and the propellers on Boeing 377s. They discuss the cramped beauty of an old gal named Connie. They recognize the high shrill whine of a Viscount, the rumbling thrust of a DC-8 or 707 on a clearway takeoff from Haneda, and a Convair. The remoteness of the 747 cockpit. The roominess of the DC-10 and the snug fit of a 737. They speak a language unknown to Webster.

They discuss BMEP, EPRs, Lost COMMs, fans, mach and bogie swivels. And, strangely, such things as bugs, thumpers, crickets, and Traps & CATs, but they are inclined to change the subject when the uninitiated approaches.

They have tasted the characteristic loneliness of the sky, and occasionally the adrenaline of danger. They respect the unseen thing called turbulence; they know what it means to fight for self-control, to discipline one’s senses.

They buy life insurance, but make no concession to the possibility of complete disaster, for they have uncommon faith in themselves and what they are doing.

They concede the glamour is gone from flying. They deny a pilot is through at sixty. They know tomorrow, or the following night, something will come along they have never met before; they know flying requires perseverance and vigilance. They know they must practice, lest they retrograde.

They realize why some wit once quipped: “Flying is year after year of monotony punctuated by seconds of stark terror.” As a group, they defy mortality tables, yet approach semi-annual physical examinations with trepidation. They are individualistic, yet bonded together. They are family people. They are reputedly overpaid, yet entrusted with equipment worth millions. And entrusted with lives, countless lives.

At times they are reverent: They have watched the Pacific sky turn purple at dusk and the stark beauty of sunrise over Iceland at the end of a polar crossing. They know the twinkling, jeweled beauty of Los Angeles at night; they have seen snow capped Rockies.

They remember the vast unending mat of green Amazon jungle, the twisting Silver road that is the father of waters, an ice cream cone called Fujiyama; the hump of Africa. Who can forget Everest from 100 miles away, or the ice fog in Fairbanks in January?

They have watched a satellite streak across a starry sky, seen the clear, deep blue of the stratosphere, felt the incalculable force of the heavens. They have marveled at sun-streaked evenings, dappled earth, velvet night, spun silver clouds, sculptured cumulus: God’s weather. They have seen the Northern Lights, a wilderness of sky, a pilot’s halo, a bomber’s moon, horizontal rain, Contrails and watched St Elmo’s Fire dance on the windows.

Only an aviator experiences all these.

It is their world. And once was mine.

And remains in memory…

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NAVAL OFFICERS and NAVY CHIEFS

A little humor for you..

“THE FIVE MOST DANGEROUS THINGS IN THE US NAVY”

A Seaman saying “I learned this in Boot Camp…”
A Petty Officer saying Trust me, sir…
” An Ensign saying “Based on my experience…”
A Lieutenant saying “I was just thinking…”
A Chief chuckling, “Watch this shit…”

NOW THEY TELL ME
During a commercial airline flight a Navy Chief was seated next to a young mother with a baby in arms. When her baby began crying during
the descent for landing, the mother began nursing her infant as discreetly as possible.  The Chief pretended not to notice and, upon debarking,
he gallantly offered his assistance to help with the various baby-related articles. When the young mother expressed her gratitude, he responded,
“Gosh, that’s a good looking baby…and he sure was hungry!” Somewhat embarrassed, the mother explained that her pediatrician said breast
feeding would help alleviate the pressure in the baby’s ears. The Chief sadly shook his head, and in true US Navy fashion exclaimed……..
And all these years I’ve been chewing gum.

NAVAL OFFICERS and NAVY CHIEFS
A group of Chiefs and a group of Naval Officers take a train to a conference.  Each Naval Officer holds a ticket. But the entire
group of Chiefs has bought only one ticket for a single passenger.  The Naval  Officers are just shaking their heads and are secretly pleased that
the arrogant Chiefs will finally get what they deserve.  Suddenly one of the Chiefs calls out: “The Conductor is coming!”.  At once, all the Chiefs
jump up and squeeze into one of the toilets. The conductor checks the tickets of the Naval Officers.  When he notices that the toilet
is occupied he knocks on the door and says: “Ticket, please!”
One of the Chiefs slides the single ticket under the doors and the conductor continues merrily on his round.  For the return trip the Naval
Officers decide to use the same trick.  They buy only one ticket for the entire group but they are baffled as they realize that the
Chiefs didn’t buy any tickets at all.  After a while one of the Chiefs announces again:  “The conductor is coming!”
Immediately all the Naval Officers race to a toilet and lock themselves in.  All the Chiefs leisurely walk to the other toilet. Before the last Chief enters the
toilet, he knocks on the toilet occupied by the Naval Officers and
says: “Ticket, please!”
Moral of the story? — Officers like to use the methods of the Chiefs,
but they don’t really understand them.

MASTER CHIEF AND 3 LIEUTENANTS
One day, a Master Chief went to the Officer’s Club with his Captain to eat  lunch.  When they entered the main dining room, they
found the place was crowded.  They did notice three Lieutenants sitting at a table with two empty chairs, so the Captain asked them if they could join them.
They promptly invited them to join them.  They ordered lunch and joined them in conversation as they ate.  At one point, the Master Chief
mentioned he had observed characteristics about many officers from which he could determine the sources of their commissioning.  The Lieutenants
were eager to hear about this and asked if he could tell how each of them had been commissioned.
The Master Chief turned to the Lieutenant on his left and said he went through ROTC. The Lieutenant confirmed that was correct and asked how
he had noted this. The Master Chief replied that the Lieutenant, through his conversation, seemed to have a strong academic background but
limited military experience.
The Master Chief then told the Lt on his right that he had gone through OCS with previous enlisted service.  The Lieutenant confirmed
this was correct and also asked how he had determined this.  The Master Chief said, again through his conversation, that the Lieutenant seemed to
have a firm military background and a lot of common sense.
The Lieutenant across the table from the Master Chief asked if he had determined his source of commission.  The Master Chief replied
that the Lieutenant had graduated from the United States Naval Academy. The Lieutenant stated that was correct and asked if he had noticed his
high level of intelligence, precise military bearing, or other superior qualities acquired at the United States Naval Academy.

The Master Chief replied that it was none of these that led to his determination.  He had simply observed the Lieutenant’s class ring while he was picking
his nose.

ROUTE TO BECOMING AN ADMIRAL
Three men are sitting stiffly side by side on a long commercial
flight. After they’re airborne and the plane has leveled off, the man in the window seat abruptly says, distinctly and confidently, in a low voice,
“Admiral, United States Navy, retired.  Married, two sons, both surgeons.”
After a few minutes the man in the aisle seat states through a tight lipped smile, “Admiral, United States Navy, retired.  Married, two
sons, both judges.”  After some thought, the fellow in the center seat decides to introduce himself.  With a twinkle in his eye he proclaims:
“Master Chief Petty Officer, United States Navy, retired.  Never married, two sons,
both Admirals.”

SEAMANSHIP TEST
One time during the underway watch the OOD decided to test a Chief Petty Officer’s seamanship.  “Chief, what would you do if
the forward watch fell off the side of the ship?”  “Easy, sir, I’d call ‘Man Overboard’ and follow the Man Overboard procedures.” ” What would you
do if an officer fell overboard?”  “Hmmm,” The Chief said, “Which one, sir?”

OLD SALT
A crusty old battleship admiral died and found himself standing before Saint Peter at the pearly gates.  Peter welcomed him warmly,  “Come
right in, Admiral!.  You’ve served your country well and you may enter Heaven!”
The admiral looked thru the gates and stepped up to Saint Peter,  “Just one thing, sonny.  I hope there’s no Chiefs here.  They are
the rudest, most obnoxious variety of human ever, and if there are any of them here, I’m not going in;  I’d rather go to the other place.”
Don’t worry, admiral,” said Saint Peter.  “No Chief has ever made it into Heaven – you’ll find none of ’em here.
So, the admiral goes on into Heaven.  Moments later, he comes upon an amazing sight.  It is a swaggering figure in khakis, garrison cap
cocked slightly on his head, a mostly empty bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand, and a beautiful woman on either arm.
Incensed, the admiral rushes back to Saint Peter and gets in his face. “Hey!  You said there were no Chiefs here!  So what the
hell is THAT?!?”
“Don’t worry, admiral,” says Saint Peter gently. “That’s God.  He just
THINKS he’s a Chief.”

A WISE OLD MASTER CHIEF ONCE SAID
A young Ensign approaches the crusty old Master Chief and asked about the origin of the commissioned officer insignias.
“Well,” replied the Master Chief, ” the insignias for the Navy are steeped in history and tradition.
First, we give you a gold bar representing that you are very valuable but also malleable.  The silver bar also represents significant
value, but is less malleable.  Now, when you make Lieutenant, your value doubles, hence the two silver bars.  As a Captain, you soar over the
military masses, hence the eagle.  As an Admiral, you are, obviously, a star.  Does that answer your question?”  “Yes Master Chief” replied
the young Ensign.
“But what about Lieutenant Commander and Commander?”  “That, sir, goes waaaay back in history – back to the Garden of Eden.  You see
we’ve always covered our pricks with leaves.”

THE CHIEF AND THE GUNNY
An old Chief and an old Gunny were sitting at the VFW arguing about who’d had the tougher career.  “I did 30 years in the Corps,” the Gunny
declared proudly, “and fought in three of my country’s wars.  Fresh out of boot camp I hit the beach at Okinawa, clawed my way up the blood soaked
sand, and eventually took out an entire enemy machine gun nest with a single grenade.  “As a sergeant, I fought in Korea alongside
General Mac Arthur. We pushed back the enemy inch by bloody inch all the way up to the Chinese border, always under a barrage of artillery and small arms fire.
“Finally, as a gunny sergeant, I did three consecutive combat tours in Vietnam.  We humped through the mud and razor grass for 14 hours
a day, plagued by rain and mosquitoes, ducking under sniper fire all day and mortar fire all night.  In a fire fight, we’d fire until our arms
ached and our guns were empty, then we’d charge the enemy with bayonets!”
Ah,” said the Chief with a dismissive wave of his hand, “all shore duty, huh?”

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Veteran’s Day Specials

Here are some Veteran Specials to Enjoy:

Applebee’s – Complimentary entree (7 to choose from) at participating stores during business hours with active/reserve/retired ID card. Nov. 11, 2012. Dine-in from limited menu only. Beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service.

AT&T – AT&T has extended its federal government discount on wireless services to all U.S. Military Veterans. Now honorably discharged Veterans, along with retired and active duty service men and women, can stay connected to loved ones at home and abroad, while enjoying a 15% discount on qualified monthly wireless plans. To obtain your discount, bring your DD form 214 or Veteran’s ID card to your nearest AT&T local store and a representative will assist you. Visit (www.att.com/gov/vets) for additional information.

Chili’s – Complimentary meal Sunday, Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2012. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 7 meals. This offer is available from 11am – 5pm on November 11, 2012 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service.

Denny’s Veterans Day Appreciation Event – Nov. 12 2012. Complimentary all you can eat pancakes from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12 for all active, retirees, and veterans with a valid military ID or proof of military service. Offer available in every Denny’s nationwide.

Golden Corral – Complimentary meal, Monday Nov. 12. The 12th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation Monday dinner will is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. (http://www.goldencorral.com/military/)

Home Depot: The Home Depot(R) is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, Veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran’s Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 and is available at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations. The 10% discount is available everyday for active duty and retirees, but not Veterans. Home Depot makes this offer available to all Veterans on most military holidays.

Hooters – Complimentary Meal, Sunday, Nov. 11 2012. Hooter’s is serving up a complimentary meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Get 10 complimentary Wings – Boneless or Regular, drink purchase required. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service.(http://www.hootersveteransday.com)

Lowe’s – Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards.

Outback Steakhouse – A week of complimentary Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Nov. 11-12, 2012. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a complimentary Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day. This offer is available to Military Personnel with ID. Also receive 10% off your purchase from Nov. 13-Dec 31, 2012.

Texas Roadhouse – Complimentary lunch, Monday Nov. 12, 2012. Every Texas Roadhouse location across the country will participate in the complimentary lunch event to honor the men and women of our armed forces. Choose from one of 10 complimentary meals, plus sides and a drink. Offer good for All veterans – including all active, retired or former U.S. military. ID Required.

Thank You and Have a Wonderful Veterans Day full of Pride, Honor & Tradition!

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VETERAN’S DAY

Thank You for your service to our country. Make sure that you let all of your friends and co-workers know that You are a Veteran — today is your day!

Below you’ll find a History of Veterans Day, Tribute Photos, Nationwide specials for You & more…Enjoy your day!

Throughout history in times of both peace and war, yourselves and millions of other heroic U.S. Military personnel have proudly served our nation, from WWI-II through to the Korean War, Vietnam & the Cold War, to the Gulf War and the current War on Terrorism.

 I wish you a wonderful Veterans Day full of tradition, honor & respect.

History of Veterans Day

  •  1921 – An unknown World  War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Similar  ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown  soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England,  Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe).
  • These memorial services all took place on November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I  at 11:00 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month), which became known as Armistice Day.
  • 1926 – Congress invited  all Americans to observe Armistice Day, and then officially made it a  national holiday in 1938.
  • On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. Veterans.
  • 1968 – New legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However, it soon became apparent that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans so in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

“Veterans Day is a time when all of us who have served can wear our colors and be proud of what we were no matter where or when we were in – or what our job was. Each of us were a part of a whole and were important. The best of all is that we are a part of a select group of people…we are U.S. Veterans!”

Like you, these famous people served in our great United States Military

  Aaron Burr
Adam West
Al Fiedler, Jr.
Alan Alda
Art Buchwald
Arthur Sulzberger
Barry Corbin
Barry Goldwater
Benjamin O. Davis
Bernard Shaw
Bill Cosby
Bill Muncey
Billy Mills
Bob Dole
Bob Keeshan
Bob Mathias
Bob Watson
Brian Dennehy
Brian Keith
Burgess Meredith
Carmen Basilio
Caspar Weinberger
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Robb
Charles Walgreen
Charlton Heston
Christopher Dodd
Chuck Hagel
Chuck Norris
Clark Gable
Clint Eastwood
Coach Tom Landry
Coleman Young
Colin Powell
Conrad Burns
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Craig Thomas
Dale Bumpers
Dan Lauria
Daniel Akaka
Daniel Boone
Daniel Inouye
Dave Grossman
Dave Thomas
Davey Crockett
David Dinkins
David Robinson
Doc Hastings
Don Adams
Don Nickles
Donald Petersen
Donald Regan
Dr. Seuss
Drew Carey
Earl Warren
Earnest Hemingway
Earnest Hollings
Ed McMahon
Eddie Le Baron
Edward Kennedy
Elvis Presley
Ernest Hemingway
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Frank Capra
Frank Know
  Frank Lautenberg
Fred Smith
Fred W. Smith
G. Gordon Liddy
Gene Autry
Gene Hackman
George C. Scott
George C. Wallace
George Grune
George Gund III
George Jones
George Peppard
George Shultz
George Steinbrenner
George Westinghouse
Gerald Coleman
Gil Hodges
Glenn Ford
Gregory Alan- Williams
Harry Truman
Harvey Keitel
Hayden Fry
Henry Cabot Lodge
Herb Kohl
Howard Cosell
Hugh Hefner
Hugh O’Brian
J. Richard Munro
Jack Reed
Jack Valenti
Jackie Robinson
James Baker III
James Brady
James Carville
James Earl Jones
James Garfield
James Inhofe
James Reynolds
James Roosevelt
Jay Johnstone
Jeff Bingaman
Jeff Sessions
Jesse Brown
Jim Lehrer
Jim Mora
Jim Rogers
Jo Jo White
Jocelyn Elders
John Anderson
John Birch
John Chaffee
John F. Dulles
John F. Kennedy
John Glenn
John Huston
John Murtha
John Phelan
John Warner
Johnny Carson
Jonothan Winters
Joseph Cleland
Joseph Wambaugh
Judge Wapner
Ken Norton
Kris Kristofferson
Larry Craig
Lawrence Rawl
Lee Marvin
  Lee Trevino
Leon Jaworski
Lewis Preston
Lou Anne Johnson
Louis Bantle
Louis L’ Amour
MacDonald Carey
Malcolm Forbes
Mark Shields
Michael Enzi
Mickey Spillane
Mike Anderson
Mike Farrell
Mike Illitch
Montel Williams
Morris Udall
Oliver Wendall Holmes
Pat Roberts
Pat Sajak
Patty Berg
Paul Coverdell
Paul Douglas
Pernell Roberts
Pete Wilson
Peter Benchley
R. Buckminster Fuller
Rene Anselmo
Richard Bryan
Richard Daley
Roaddogg Jesse James
Robert Bennett
Robert Bork
Robert E. Lee
Robert Ludlum
Robert Lutz
Roberto Clemente
Rocky Marciano
Rod Carew
Ron Carey
Ron Dellums
Shaggy
Shaquille O’Neil’s father
Shelby Foote
Slade Gorton
Stephen Peters
Steve McQueen
Steven Symms
Ted Stevens
Ted Williams
Theodore Black
Thomas Sowell
Tim Johnson
Tom Monoghan
Tom Seaver
Tony Bennett
Vine Deloria
Walter Anderson
Will Rogers
William Buckley
William Holden
William Manchester
William Roth
Zackary Taylor
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Stories & Articles

I will be adding new pictures, stories and articles on our site this week.

I am still seeking pictures from our reunion. If anyone has some they took while there, and want to share them please digitize them and email them to me

at ggfisk@vp40.com I will post them on our site. If you have them in the OLD film version send them to me and I will digitize them and return them to you.

I am in the process of ordering the hats, shirts etc. that people ordered at the reunion.  I will ship them out to you as they arrive to me.

I am also in the process of setting up our own shipstore. You will be able to order  direct form the VP40 web site OR order via email/ phone.

I will publish when this is up and running (soon).

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Pictures of 2012 Reunion

I have posted some pictures and videos of the 2012 Reunion today.

for the pictures look under the REUNIONS tab , select  2012 Reunion @ San Diego, CA

here are the videos
2012 Ready Room 001

2012 Ready Room 002

2012 Ready Room 003

 

enjoy

more to come

Guy

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