VC-5,VC-6, VC-7, VC-8 & VC-9
This information is about the US Navy's first aircraft carrier based nuclear bomb carring aircraft, and the
personnel who flew, maintained and supported them. The period is from 1948 to 1956. The dawning of the
nuclear age and the Cold War, when the atomic bombs and the threat of nuclear war terrified citizens around the
globe. One aspect of the "balance of power" was the US Navy's ability to launch atom bombers from aircraft
carriers close to the enemy's shores.
personnel who flew, maintained and supported them. The period is from 1948 to 1956. The dawning of the
nuclear age and the Cold War, when the atomic bombs and the threat of nuclear war terrified citizens around the
globe. One aspect of the "balance of power" was the US Navy's ability to launch atom bombers from aircraft
carriers close to the enemy's shores.
THE BEGINNING
US NAVY HEAVY ATTACK COMPOSITE SQUADRONS
Composite Squadron EIGHT was born Dec 3rd 1951 in the recesses of hanger 305, Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Mayland.
Talent from VC-5, VC-6 and VC-7 was pooled to form a nucleus for the first ASB-1 equipped squadron. Our first aircraft were
not North American Savage AJ-1's but were P2V Neptunes; however, our shiny new AJ's were soon to arrive. VC-8 dug in and
in threee months had become so well organized that she received a mark of "Outstanding" in the first Heavy Attack Wing
Administrative and Material Inspection. Day after day VC-8 found itself aboard ship or deployed on operations elsewhere. In
Sept. 1952 the squadron entered into phase three of readiness. After a final Operations Readiness test to prove our ability to
carry the ball VC-8 set about packing up for the six months deployment in Africa. On the 11th of April 1953 we lifted our AJ's
from the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, and headed northeastward on the long journey to Port Lyautey, French Morocco.
Talent from VC-5, VC-6 and VC-7 was pooled to form a nucleus for the first ASB-1 equipped squadron. Our first aircraft were
not North American Savage AJ-1's but were P2V Neptunes; however, our shiny new AJ's were soon to arrive. VC-8 dug in and
in threee months had become so well organized that she received a mark of "Outstanding" in the first Heavy Attack Wing
Administrative and Material Inspection. Day after day VC-8 found itself aboard ship or deployed on operations elsewhere. In
Sept. 1952 the squadron entered into phase three of readiness. After a final Operations Readiness test to prove our ability to
carry the ball VC-8 set about packing up for the six months deployment in Africa. On the 11th of April 1953 we lifted our AJ's
from the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, and headed northeastward on the long journey to Port Lyautey, French Morocco.
THE PLANES
P2V Neptune
P2V Neptune
AJ-1 Savage first landing on a carrier
The North American AJ " Savage " came into being as a direct result of the greatest Navy and Goverment
controversy of the future Nuclear strike capabilities of the Navy if any. The AJ-1 Savage Attack Bomber was the
first US Bomber designed especially to carry the atomic bomb.
controversy of the future Nuclear strike capabilities of the Navy if any. The AJ-1 Savage Attack Bomber was the
first US Bomber designed especially to carry the atomic bomb.
AJ-1 Savage
AJ-1 Savage
AJ-1 Savage
AJ-1 Savage
AJ-1 Savage
Dad's Division in VC-8 was ASB. Prior to America's entry into World War II and in anticipation of the German
submarine menace, NRL developed the Model ASB radar. It was the first operational U.S. airborne radar to be
widely used for bombing, detection of ships and surface submarines, and airborne intercept. This radar saw
extensive use during the war. It was installed almost universally in U.S. Naval aircraft and became known as the
Workhorse of Naval Aviation. The Model ASB was the first radar to be used in carrier-based aircraft. It has been
said that the ASB was one of the most successful of all airborne surface search radars.
submarine menace, NRL developed the Model ASB radar. It was the first operational U.S. airborne radar to be
widely used for bombing, detection of ships and surface submarines, and airborne intercept. This radar saw
extensive use during the war. It was installed almost universally in U.S. Naval aircraft and became known as the
Workhorse of Naval Aviation. The Model ASB was the first radar to be used in carrier-based aircraft. It has been
said that the ASB was one of the most successful of all airborne surface search radars.
ASB Division of VC-8