Paddles Passes

I'm writing this for my Dad, who is not Internet-literate - and at age 89
cares not to be:

CDR Robert F. Kanze:

Roughly 350 straight-deck passes before and during WWII mostly on RANGER
(CV-4), LEXINGTON (CV-2), and ENTERPRISE (CV-6). Post-WWII while LSO on
MINDORO (CVE-120). (Dad not only shot but also waved straight-deck passes -
to a small deck.) Korean War traps on KEARSARGE (CVA-33). Exact number of
straight-deck traps indeterminate since his original logbook went down with
the old LEX during the Coral Sea battle, while flying with VF-2.

About 200 angle-deck passes, mostly on TICONDEROGA (CVA-14) and RANGER
(CVA-61).

Although not "tailhook" recoveries, he experienced numerous floatplane
"sled" recoveries to the pre-war USS TENNESSEE (BB-43) while a non-rated
aircrewman.

Along with the above, catapult shots on steam, hydraulic and gunpowder cats,
the last while aboard TENNESSEE. Dad says the "hardest" shots were the
gunpowder ones, which would "throw your teeth back against your neckbones."
g

But there are no old bold pilots!"

Dad may be the exception here. He still drives a 5-litre Mustang - albeit
with wheelchair plates.

Owl sends.
--
Mike Kanze

"You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't. Sign
here."

- Anonymous cop, to woman driver.



"W. D. Allen Sr." wrote in message
...
How many on this newsgroup ever made paddles passes to aircraft carrier
landings? How many to straight decks and how many to angled decks? On
which carriers did you make them? How many in this newsgroup even know
what paddles passes were? Let us hear from all you really old, formerly
bold pilots!

"There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots. But there are no old
bold pilots!"

WDA

end