|
|
The photos on this page and the next are from the
collection of Walt Smith who was assigned to VR-24 in Port Lyautey from Jan 1952 though the Spring
of 1953. Walt's photos add to the picture of life in the squadron and the
Moroccan experience.
Anyone who has photos,
stories, and material they wish to share is encouraged to send them to
Dick Prather, Webmaster/Editor
of the VR-24 website.
|
 (w_smith) An historic shot of the flight line at
Port Lyautey sometime in 1952. VR-24 aircraft shown include two R5Ds, PBM 075,and an R4D-8. This
photo clearly indicates that other aircraft, in this case a P4M Mercator, shared ramp space with
VR-24 while the field was being expanded.
|
|
 (w_smith) One of VR-24 R5Ds near the shared French
hangar at Port Lyautey in 1952. This photo shows the evolving paint scheme from all over bare
metal with large fuselage numbers (as shown, 758). The white top shown in this photo became
standard. The large fuselage numbers were replaced by slightly smaller BUNOs on the tail.
|
 (w_smith) A good close up of a
VR-24 PBM-5A Mariner, 075, on the ramp at Port Lyautey in 1952. Information is not available
at this time on whether this was the only PBM assigned to VR-24.
|
|
(w_smith) This photo shows the three VR-24 JRBs, with nose
numbers that appear to be (L-R) 87, 574 (or 374), and 127, and R4D A23 on the
ramp adjacent to the hangar shared with the French Navy in 1952. |
 (w_smith) Another view of two of the squadron's
JRBs, in this case, JRB 127 and what appears to be 87, or possibly 117.
|
|
 (w_smith) These appear to be fuel trucks but another
of Walt Smith's photos show larger, and perhaps more modern, trucks. The purpose of the
light assemblies on top of the tanks are assumed to be for night ops, but that is only a guess.
|
(w_smith) The squadron undergoes personnel insptction on
the ramp in front of the French Customs office at Port Lyautey. |
|
(w_smith) The Special Devices building at NAF Port Lyautey.
Walt Smith, himself a Training Devices technician 'TD', reports that "the Special Devices Hut was on one end of the French
aircraft parking area and the P4M squadron along side us in two more quonsets".
|
(w_smith) TD2 Walt Smith with what appears to have been
a late model Chevrolet, perhaps his own. |
Top of Page
(Next Page),
Go Direct to Port Lyautey Scrapbook Page (1),
(2),
(3),
(4),
(5),
(6)
(7),
(8),
(9),
(10),
(11),
(12),
(13),
(14),
(15),
(16),
(17),
(18),
(19),
(20),
(21),
(22),
(24),
(25),
(26),
(27),
(28),
(29),
(30),
(31),
(32),
(33),
(34),
(35),
(36),
Return to
Scrapbook Page One
Return to Home
Page
Copyright © 2002 VR-24
Association
