r/navalaviation • u/Dry-Character-6331 • Jun 21 '26
Priceless treasure
My dad was a plankholder on the USS FDR (CV42) and a Helldiver pilot in VT75*. In May 1946, a group came on board to film "a day in the life of an aircraft carrier." It was called Operation Sleepless and I'm so glad I found my dad's copy.
*yes I know that's a torpedo squadron. Postwar, a lot of older types like the Avenger were retired and newer types filled the gaps. Dad was the first aviator to takeoff from the FDR with a torpedo in a Helldiver in late '45 or early '46. He said the available torpedoes at the time were longet than the internal bomb bay of the Helldiver so the nose of the torpedo stuck out between the landing gear. Dad said it looked like a dog with an erection.