Bronson Field 1943
Thu Sep 08, 2016 9:11 am
Another fantastic LIFE series that shows a near neat HE-1
Photos : William C Shrout - LIFE Collections
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Radio.WW2/phot ... 9696965685
Per Wiki:
Bronson Field is a former Naval Auxiliary Air Station located in western Escambia County, near Perdido Bay and Tarkiln Bayou. The complex consisted of a multi-runway paved airfield and a series of seaplane ramps on the shore of Perdido Bay. Bronson Field has not been used by the Navy for aviation purposes in many years and is now officially known as the Blue Angel Recreation Park and is used for recreational purposes.
History
In 1939, the Navy purchased 640 acres near Perdido Bay for use as an outlying field (OLF), which was initially named Tarkiln Field. Initially, the facility was used by primary trainers from Corry Field. In March 1942, construction of a temporary wartime base began at the site. Around that time the Navy also purchased another 263 adjoining acres on Perdido Bay for a seaplane facility. On November 18, 1942, NAAS Bronson Field was commissioned, so named in honor of Lt. Clarence Bronson, Naval Aviator No. 15, who lost his life in a bomb explosion. The airfield consisted of a large circular mat crisscrossed by four 4,000-foot runways.
Bronson Field was used primarily for dive bomber, fighter, and seaplane training. Baseball great Ted Williams was among those trained at the base. The field was decommissioned as a NAAS in 1946, and was thereafter used as an outlying field. The Navy tore down most of the temporary wartime buildings in the 1950s, but continued to use the hangars for parts storage into the next decade.
In 1967 Bronson Field was the last stop for Naval Aviators as they completed their flight training in the T-28 Trojan. The tailhook-equipped T-28C was used at Bronson for field carrier landing practice prior to the final flight to the aircraft carrier Lexington just offshore for actual arrested landings. At that time the field was in such a state of disrepair that it felt like it had been abandoned many years earlier. Grass grew through cracks in the tarmac and the one or two remaining hangars seemed like they were left over from WWII. There was no other activity at the field other than 10 or 12 student pilots who flew the carrier landing pattern one to three times a day as they prepared to "hit the boat" on their last day. Ten or twelve T-28s were the only aircraft parked on the ramp. A few flight instructors were there for the first three flights, to act as landing signal officers during the field carrier landings, and to debrief the landings as the pilots honed their skills during the 10-day course of instruction and practice at Bronson Field. There were also enlisted mechanics on hand to service the aircraft, fix problems, and act as ground crew.
Photos : William C Shrout - LIFE Collections
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Radio.WW2/phot ... 9696965685
Per Wiki:
Bronson Field is a former Naval Auxiliary Air Station located in western Escambia County, near Perdido Bay and Tarkiln Bayou. The complex consisted of a multi-runway paved airfield and a series of seaplane ramps on the shore of Perdido Bay. Bronson Field has not been used by the Navy for aviation purposes in many years and is now officially known as the Blue Angel Recreation Park and is used for recreational purposes.
History
In 1939, the Navy purchased 640 acres near Perdido Bay for use as an outlying field (OLF), which was initially named Tarkiln Field. Initially, the facility was used by primary trainers from Corry Field. In March 1942, construction of a temporary wartime base began at the site. Around that time the Navy also purchased another 263 adjoining acres on Perdido Bay for a seaplane facility. On November 18, 1942, NAAS Bronson Field was commissioned, so named in honor of Lt. Clarence Bronson, Naval Aviator No. 15, who lost his life in a bomb explosion. The airfield consisted of a large circular mat crisscrossed by four 4,000-foot runways.
Bronson Field was used primarily for dive bomber, fighter, and seaplane training. Baseball great Ted Williams was among those trained at the base. The field was decommissioned as a NAAS in 1946, and was thereafter used as an outlying field. The Navy tore down most of the temporary wartime buildings in the 1950s, but continued to use the hangars for parts storage into the next decade.
In 1967 Bronson Field was the last stop for Naval Aviators as they completed their flight training in the T-28 Trojan. The tailhook-equipped T-28C was used at Bronson for field carrier landing practice prior to the final flight to the aircraft carrier Lexington just offshore for actual arrested landings. At that time the field was in such a state of disrepair that it felt like it had been abandoned many years earlier. Grass grew through cracks in the tarmac and the one or two remaining hangars seemed like they were left over from WWII. There was no other activity at the field other than 10 or 12 student pilots who flew the carrier landing pattern one to three times a day as they prepared to "hit the boat" on their last day. Ten or twelve T-28s were the only aircraft parked on the ramp. A few flight instructors were there for the first three flights, to act as landing signal officers during the field carrier landings, and to debrief the landings as the pilots honed their skills during the 10-day course of instruction and practice at Bronson Field. There were also enlisted mechanics on hand to service the aircraft, fix problems, and act as ground crew.
Re: Bronson Field 1943
Thu Sep 08, 2016 5:58 pm
I spy part of an SNJ-2? Funny to see it in blue and gray while the newer SNJs are NMF.
Re: Bronson Field 1943
Sun Sep 11, 2016 8:00 am
I've always wondered how those litter-carriers flew with the center of gravity being so far aft; I'm guessing there were some flight limitations
Re: Bronson Field 1943
Sun Sep 11, 2016 9:22 am
"Do not spin when carrying litter patient or cargo." Placard in an L-5G.
Re: Bronson Field 1943
Sun Sep 11, 2016 5:18 pm
Was the color yellow?
Many HE-1s still around (aside from the Cub clone kits that offered a turtle deck option)?
Many HE-1s still around (aside from the Cub clone kits that offered a turtle deck option)?
Re: Bronson Field 1943
Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:13 am
Yes, all HE-1's delivered from Piper in overall yellow. There have been several restorations over the years of HE-1's. At least two had the hinged rear portion and a stokes litter. Not sure where these flyers ended up. In a museum I suppose.
C2j
C2j
Re: Bronson Field 1943
Mon Sep 12, 2016 7:43 am
Would be a good way to smuggle people past customs
Re: Bronson Field 1943
Mon Sep 12, 2016 4:39 pm
I'm not sure anyone would pay to ride back there. 
In his first column for Flying magazine in 1970, Gordon Baxter had this to say about flying in a litter-equipped L-5G..."If I was badly injured enough they might have gotten me in there, but they'd never get the claw marks off the side."
In his first column for Flying magazine in 1970, Gordon Baxter had this to say about flying in a litter-equipped L-5G..."If I was badly injured enough they might have gotten me in there, but they'd never get the claw marks off the side."
Re: Bronson Field 1943
Tue Sep 13, 2016 9:01 am
I've attached a photo of a restored Piper AE-1 that depicts the yellow scheme (location, date and photographer are unknown). The high-vis yellow color looks quite similar to that utilized on the target tug JM Marauder's...probably the same stuff. According to Wikipedia the "H" (i.e. Hospital) designation for aircraft was replaced with "A" (i.e. Ambulance) in 1943. Ironically the "H" was reused up as a modifier to multiengine aircraft types that had been converted for carrying wounded /injured personnel (e.g. PB2Y-5H Coronado). These aircraft were assigned to "VH" squadrons.
JDV
http://www.fuselagecodes.com
JDV
http://www.fuselagecodes.com