I used to fly into a couple fly-ins up at Watsonville over the years. Nice place with some interesting history. My dad also flew in and out of there a few times in 1945.
"In 1939, the Civil Aviation Adminitration (CAA) offered to build an airport at Santa Cruz, the largest city in Santa Cruz County and the county seat, if the necessary land was provided. After Santa Cruz turned down the proposal, the CAA then approached the City of Watsonville -- the second largest city in the county. A small airport existed four miles southsouthwest of town, but it was inadequate for the modern facility planned by the CAA. Watsonville floated a bond issue for $125,000 to purchase 330 acres, 2.5 miles northwest of town. The CAA completed its initial work by the end of 1941. During 1942, the CAA made additional improvements spending a total of $740,000 on the project that resulted in a 4,500 and a 4,000-ft. macadam runway. In mid-1943, the Navy leased the airport's 288 acres from Watsonville and purchased 35 additional acres to build administration and barracks buildings. Navy construction began in July 1943, and the station commissioned on October 1.
In October, VB-18 with 36 SBDs arrived along with a detachment of CASU 19 in support. On November 14, VF-28 and 24 F6Fs flew into Watsonville for a two week stay. On December 9, VB-18 departed for Crows Landing, replaced by VF-26's and VF-27's 48 F6Fs. In December, the station suffered its first fatality in the crash of a VF-27 F6F. That month, CASU 35 relieved CASU 19.
In February 1944, VF-26 and VF-27 moved to other stations as VT-28 and VF-28 arrived. The CASU merry-go-around continued as CASU 37 relieved CASU 35. From March to July 1944, CAG 22's VF-22 and VT-22 trained aboard. CAG 23's fighter and torpedo squadrons were present from July to October. On July 16, an F6F of VF-23 hit the tower of the local radio station. The pilot later died of injuries. During the year, the Navy spent $1.2 million enlarging the station to accommodate 90 aircraft. Improvements included a new administration building, four barracks and a BOQ, and a Gunnery Training building. In November, the CASU situation stabilized with the forming of CASU 64 that absorbed the personnel of CASU 37. The end of the year found VC-33 and VOC-2 at the station. VOC 2, an observation composite squadron, had a complement of 23 FM-2s and six TBM Avengers.
On January 15, 1945, CAG 8, the first large air group arrived after reforming at Alameda. CAG 8's 96 aircraft consisted of VF-8 with F6Fs, VBF-8 also with F6Fs, VB-8 with SB2Cs, and VT-8 with Avengers. On May 17, CAG 8 departed for Alameda prior to embarking for Hawaii. Shortly thereafter, CAG 4 came aboard with a similar make up excepting that its VBF squadron was equipped with Corsairs. The diverse Corsair squadron consisted of F3As, FGs, and F4Us. CAG 4 departed for Groton, Connecticut after VJ-Day. On October 15, 1945, the station went on caretaker status.
The airport was opened for civilian use and the Navy finally turned over all facilities to the City in March 1947. Until 1963, some of the former Navy buildings were used as a school. Today, the airport is used by general aviation."
More here:
http://californiamilitaryhistory.org/NA ... ville.html
Original ebay photos:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1945-WWII-NARS- ... 5b1a35418a
More recent
I took these photos of the CAF's Hellcat one year at Watsonville.
Photo of my Dad (thought it was a good time to introduce him again to one of his old machines shortly after he passed away) miss the old guy sometimes
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