Charlestown, R. I. – August 10, 1945

Charlestown, Rhode Island – August 10, 1945

 

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

     There were two aviation related accidents which occurred at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field on this date.  

     At 8:15 a.m. on the morning of August 10, 1945, an F6F Hellcat aircraft was parked on the taxiway at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field, with its engine running in preparation for takeoff.  Meanwhile, the LOS truck came up along side and parked next to it, waiting for the aircraft to begin its takeoff.  As this was taking place, a second F6F Hellcat, (Bu. No. 40737), taxied up from behind and struck the LSO truck causing significant damage to the truck and the aircraft, but nobody was injured.     

     The second accident occurred at 10:31 a.m., while Lieutenant R. A. Reese was making practice carrier landings at Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field in an F6F-5 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 41190), using a tail hook and arresting cable.  As he came in for a landing the tail hook snagged the arresting cable, and the cable snapped, causing the aircraft to make a 180 degree ground loop which resulted in major damage to the plane.  Lieutenant Reese was not hurt.  

     Sources:

     U. S. Navy crash reports dated August 10, 1945 

 

Charlestown NAS Auto Registration Decal

Charlestown Aux. Naval Air Station

Automobile Registration Decal

    

Charlestown R.I. Air Station Automobile Registration Decal

Charlestown R.I. Air Station
Automobile Registration Decal

     This decal/parking permit would have been placed on the windshield of civilian automobiles belonging to servicemen or workers at the Charlestown Aux. Naval Air Station in Charlestown, Rhode Island.  The time frame in which it would have been issued is unknown.   

     Decal image courtesy of the Mr. Larry Webster of the Quonset Air Museum. 

 

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