Pictures Courtesy of George E. Stewart VC-11 50-52; VW-1 52-55:.. Unless noted otherwise
The pictures on this page are intended to cover the time prior to VW-1's commissioning date of 18 June, 1952..
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In April 1948 VPW-1 was formed with four PB-1W's and based at Ream Field near San Diego, California,
later moving to NAAS Miramar also near San Diego.
In September 1948 VPW-1 was re-designated as VP-51. VPW-1 and VP-51 aircraft performed Surface
Surveillance and ASW operation during the Atomic Bomb testing in the Pacific as well as ASW operations
along the California Coast.
VP-51 was disestablished in February 1950 and the remaining three PB-1W's were assigned to VX-4 for a
short period of time, then attached to Composite Squadron Eleven (VC-11) in March 1950 as "VC-11
Detachment" based at NAAS Miramar.
The Detachment participated in ASW operations along the Pacific Coast and worked with the USAF in
developing the AEW concept.
In 1951 the Detachment consisted of four PB-1W's, four Martin P4M-1Q's and one SNJ-4.
On June 6, 1952 the Detachment of four PB-1W's was flown to NAS Barbers Point, Territory of Hawaii,
where on June 18,1952 the Detachment was commissioned as Air Borne Early Warning Squadron One (VW-1).
NOTE: In March 1951 four Martin P4M-1Q aircraft, along with their crews and maintenance personnel, were
assigned to VC-11 Det. at Miramar for operational training as a classified "Special Project Unit". In
October 1951 after training was completed the unit was deployed to NAS Sangley Point, Philippines. In May
of 1953 the Unit became VW-1 Det A, then in June 1954 became VW-3 Det. A and finally becoming VQ-1 in June
1955.
These 4 photos are of VPW-1 in 1946, this squadron was the predecessor to VPW-1 discussed
above. VPW-1 in these photos was redesignated as VPM-1 in 1947, which was disestablished about a year or so
later. The history of the PB4Y-2 aircraft is presented in a book authored Alan C. Cary "CONSOLIDATED
VULTEE PB4Y-2 PRIVATEER" printed by Shiffer Publishing Ltd.
VPW-1 was reactivated in 1948 with PB-1W's as discussed above by George Stewart.
See news articles for additional information.
The 1st. photograph on the left was taken on July 11 1946 of VPW-1 flight crew on Kwajalein
for operation Crossroads, the 1946 atomic tests at Bikini Atoll.
Back row left to right: PPC Lt. W.W. Gardner, Co-Pilot Lt(jg) B.W. Clark, Nav. Lt. Stewart, Aerographer Ens.
Huston
Front row: ACMM Pat Mahon, AMM2c Mclaughlin, ARM2c Ed Crosby, ARM3c Williams,
The 2nd picture from the left: is of VPW-1 flight crew members, sorry but the names of the
officers and men is not known.
The 3rd. photo from the left: of R-55 was an original VPW-1 aircraft, I think it was called
"Old Rocking Chair" by the crew for its habit of rocking when on autopilot. "R" was the prefix for VPW-1 and
"S" for VPW-2. R-55 had to scrapped due heavy damage after flying in a storm off Pelilieu.
The 4th. photo from the left: of R-53 and crew which crashed into a mountain in the
Phillipines.
Memorial message
Picture on the left submitted by Ed Crosby VPW-1 1946.
Pictures 2, 3, & 4 and narrative courtesy of Ray Parsons VPW-1, VPW-2 & VPM-1 1946 - 1948.
Picture on the left: VPW-1 Enlisted men in photo op after personnel inspection 16 March 1946.
Picture and narrative courtesy of Ray Parsons VPW-1, VPW-2 & VPM-1 1946 - 1948.
2nd picture from the left: VPW-1 Chief's in photo op after personnel inspection 16 March 1946.
Picture and narrative courtesy of Ray Parsons VPW-1, VPW-2 & VPM-1 1946 - 1948.
The 3rd picture from the left: Photograph of VP-51 aircraft EW-5. Date and location unknown. Note that in those days c1949
they were unpainted and still had the upper turret.
The 4th picture from the left: 1947 Photograph of one of the two XPB-1Ws of VX-4. It is either Bu No.34106 or 34114.
1st picture from the left: 1951 PB-1W - VC-11 Det/ NAAS Miramar, San Diego CA.
2nd picture from the left: 1951 PB-1W - VC-11 Det/ NAAS Miramar, San Diego CA.
3rd picture from the left: Note from website manager:
This P4M appears to have the VQ-1 tail code of PR. Look closely at the enlarged picture.
1st. photo from the left: 7 June '52 VC-11 Detachment TransPac Crew of Buno 77226 on arrival at NAS B.P Lcdr Mill PPC, Lt.
Sokol Co-pilot, Ltjg Goodman Nav. Al Dalton AL1 radio, A. 'Pappy' Herzing AD1 PC, George Stewart AD3 2nd
PC.
2nd. photo from the left: VC-11 Det. Transpac crew (1 of 4) Bu No. unk. On arrival at Barbers Point morning of June 7, 1952. L to R:
Lt Richards Co-pilot, Lt. Martin PPC, Ens. unk Nav.
Photo George Stewart
