Have you ever seen a flying boat? This large gray and white airplane with pontoons hanging from the wings was an anti-submarine patrol aircraft during the Vietnam War. The men who manned it were in Squadron VP-48 and their job was to conduct surveillance in the South China Sea from 1962 to 1967. The VP-48 is the Navy's designation for "heavier than air" and the 48 designates patrol squadron 48. My husband was in that squadron and we recently went to San Diego to reunite with this "band of brothers."
Every two years this group of men gather together to remember those days when they were young Navy sailors with an important job to do for their country. The numbers lessen each reunion as the sailors from 40 years ago have become gray-haired elderly men, but that doesn't matter now as it's the memories that count. On one of the days we toured the excellent International Aerospace Hall of Fame where rare artifacts and reproductions of early flying machines were displayed - but the P5M seaplane, also known as the flying boat, was not there.
There were many very exciting airplanes all around us: the Wright brothers' 1901 glider, the Fokker and Sopwith Pup, the Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Hellcat, Wildcat and today's Blackbird and Sea Dart. We also got to see the museum's replica of the Spirit of St. Louis - the only flying replica in the world. There was a WWII Flying Tiger, but no flying boats. They came about 20 years later during the Vietnam conflict. We heard there was one still left and it's exhibited in Jackson, Fla., and it might be the last remaining P5M seaplane in existence.
San Diego's Air and Space Museum displays the Mercury and Gemini spacecraft and also Boeing's GPS-12 satellite. When you walk in the door of the museum you'll see the actual scorched Apollo 9 command module, "Gumdrop" and there's a spacesuit identical to the one astronaut Neil Armstrong was wearing when he first set foot on the moon back in 1969. It reminded me of the time my husband and I were traveling around Scotland in a rental car and we spent a night along the River Teviot in an ancient castle called Branxholme. It was once the home of Sir Walter Scott and Lady Margaret Douglas, but when we stayed there it was owned by Neil Armstrong. Our little room was dark and dank and the bed was only five feet long. I was haunted all night by a crazy woman with whiskey on her breath. We later learned that many people believed the castle to be haunted. After one sleepless night of strange sounds and smells, I was a believer too.
After three wonderful days at the reunion, the final banquet of VP-48 was held at the Admiral Kidd Club at the Point Loma Naval Station. We sang the national anthem and there was a presentation of colors and then a candle was lit for each deceased sailor as his name was read. This close-knit band of brothers will continue to remember their many friends from those years on the flying boat. We thank them, and all of the Armed Forces who have defended our United States of America
Tidbit: October is National Fire Prevention Month. Remember to plan the escape route from your house in the event of fire - plan it and practice it regularly.
-- Linda Monohan may be reached at 782-5802.
