Crusty old Joe's

Kodiak Alaska Military History

The official web site of the Kodiak Military History Museum

Aircraft

PBYs on seaplane ramp March 1942

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medium resolution - 167K 		Douglas B-18 Bolo bomber
May 1942

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medium resolution - 167K 		Curtiss P-36 Hawk
May 1942

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Kingfisher OS2U
June 1942

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medium resolution - 167K 		B-17
June 1942

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medium resolution - 167K 		Miller Field 5000 foot runway 1-19, Chiniak
July 1944

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Miller Field, St. Peter's Head looking south, Chiniak
August 1944

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medium resolution - 167K 		City of Kodiak
May 1941

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medium resolution - 167K 		Kodiak Naval Base
March 1950

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Miller Field, Chiniak
June 1962

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medium resolution - 167K 		P2V-5F 131405 at Kodiak in 1957

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Photo by Glen Goddard 		P2V-5F 131447 at Kodiak in 1957

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Photo by Glen Goddard
Navy C-47 at Kodiak
 The two images at the left were snipped from this larger one of VP-931 in front of hangar 3, from Daniel Jessup. Also see these other aerial views of the base in 1950.
B-17 used for aerial photography This was the last operational B-17. Dubbed "Old Rotten Wings" by aircraft crew. Flown by Coast Guard crew with C&GS navigator and cameraman. 1949? at Adak. From NOAA.

Medium resolution - 104K 		One of the two C-54(R-5D) transport planes attached to Naval Station Kodiak. (By the way, Naval Station; not Naval Air Station.) I remember distinctly taking this simple photo with my cheap camera while we were at Nome airport on July 4, 1963. The Bureau number of the plane was 92000 affectionately called "Triple Nuts." MOE
On the ramp at Kodiak. Circa 1952 photo by Bob Hatcher, WL7CO.

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Original image is 2.75 x 4 inches.
Douglas SC-54A transport modified supposedly into an Elint bird that flew the Bering Sea or perhaps near the Kamchatka Peninsula.

The SC was apparently based out of Kodiak Island and flew Elint or perhaps Sigint flights while the AF was also flying reconn and elint out of Eielson AFB and Elmendorf and Shemya Island as well. The photo is from the late 1950s-1960s era. The pilot or at least one pilot or PIC was Lt Commander John Garland. His daughter lives in Anchorage, Alaska and contributed through a mutual friend of ours some of his photo collection, and the SC- 545A is one of them. I'm unable to locate any data on any SC-54A if indeed, that is the designation, so if anybody can help...especially pertaining to it when based at Kodiak it would be greatly appreciated.

Image courtesy of DAVID STERN 16 June 2011.

Aircraft Types Serving in Alaska

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Naval Aviation

Allied

"Archie" Stone

Thanks to Andy Brumbaugh and Al Lucas for this:

When the public is asked who first successfully flew the Atlantic, a surprising list of names is often heard. i.e. Lindberg, Alcock &Brown, Italo Balbo and Corrigan to name a few. In reality Lt. Elmer F. Stone USCG is the only correct name. Just how he has been ignored is a mystery. His tombstone at Arlington cemetery has demoted him to "Co-pilot of NC-4" Some years ago the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola had mis-identified him. Nevertheless FDR on 23 Aug 1919 wrote "I wish to commend you for your work as Pilot of seaplane NC-4" etc. The flight began with 3 Curtis seaplanes, however only one, the NC-4 flown by "Archie" Stone was to land at Lisbon 27 May 1919-continuing on to Plymouth England 31 May 1919. Those who have flown seaplanes are well aware of the exceptional skill needed, in that both seamanship and aviation skills are demanded. Stone was later cited by RADM W. Moffett, on 4 Nov 1926 for "valuable services in development of catapult and deck arresting gear for Aircraft and Aircraft Carrier & for his work as test pilot". On June 1935 the Secretary of the Treasury cited Stone for establishing a world speed record for amphibians. Many believe "Archie" was something of a maverick and a trial for his seniors, but he left behind a rich tradition, the foundation for morale for Coast Guard Aviators who would follow him. He suffered a fatal heart attack on 20 May 1936 at NAS San Diego while inspecting a new patrol aircraft. Inasmuch as other trail blazing pioneers are recognized, "Archie" Stone should be accorded his well deserved place in history, as the First to Fly the Atlantic...

C. (sam) Wawrzynski USCG ret.

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