1965 USS Pine Island (AV 12) Visit to New Zealand

[alanw]

Hi All

Have a question, not sure if it fell into RNZAF Aviation or RNZN, and since its
historic figured it may fit here too.

As the title states, in 1965 The US Navy Sea Plane tender USS Pine Island
stopped in New Zealand as part of the Coral Sea celebrations (visited Aust. too).
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/USS_Pine_Island_%28AV-12%29_late_1940s.jpg/766px-USS_Pine_Island_%28AV-12%29_late_1940s.jpg


On board (possibly) may have been 1 or more Martin SP 5B Marlin(s).
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/SP-5B_VP-40_last_flight.jpg/800px-SP-5B_VP-40_last_flight.jpg

Would anyone on the Forums recall the visit?

Reason I ask is that I have a model of the Pine Island, and wondered if
during its visit, if any of its Marlins flew in New Zealand, and if possible
whether the Marlins flew with our RNZAF Sunderlands.

There is this photo of NZ4107 flying in the Philipines in formation
with a US Navy Marlin and RAAF Neptune, and wondered if a similar thing
happened here?
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/P-2_P-5_Sunderland_Corregidor_1963.jpg/753px-P-2_P-5_Sunderland_Corregidor_1963.jpg

Thanks

Alan

[davidd]

Alan,
I do not have a complete answer, only having a copy of Janes Fighting Ships 1964-65, which confirms she was still listed as a Seaplane Tender at that time, but I somehow doubt she would be carrying any aircraft on the cruise to NZ unless these were REALLY needed for the excursion (which I doubt). According to this issue of Janes, a photograph of PINE ISLAND (port bow aerial view!) had appeared in all editions of this publication between 1954/55 and 1959/60 editions. The Marlin (P-5) was a very large and expensive aircraft, and they were normally based permanently at Naval Air Stations with the standing VP squadrons, such a the one at Subic Bay (Philippines). However in my experience there are some very good US Navy-oriented web sites, a few of which include extensive ship histories, some including excellent notes on post-WW2 service.
David D

[alanw]

Aug 4, 2013 10:10:35 GMT 12 davidd said:

Alan,
I do not have a complete answer, only having a copy of Janes Fighting Ships 1964-65, which confirms she was still listed as a Seaplane Tender at that time, but I somehow doubt she would be carrying any aircraft on the cruise to NZ unless these were REALLY needed for the excursion (which I doubt). According to this issue of Janes, a photograph of PINE ISLAND (port bow aerial view!) had appeared in all editions of this publication between 1954/55 and 1959/60 editions. The Marlin (P-5) was a very large and expensive aircraft, and they were normally based permanently at Naval Air Stations with the standing VP squadrons, such a the one at Subic Bay (Philippines). However in my experience there are some very good US Navy-oriented web sites, a few of which include extensive ship histories, some including excellent notes on post-WW2 service.
David D

Hi David,

Thank you for your reply.

When I first found out Pine Island had visted New Zealand, I did
think it would be sans aircraft, but thought I'd put it out there
just in case

Unfortunatley my father who was serving with 5 Squadron at the time
is no longer with us, so I can't get answers there any more.

I have trawled the net and most sites (US Navy inclusive) simlpy
state that She visited New Zealand as part of the Coral Sea Anniversary
celebrations. I guess though sometimes it's in the way you word searches
that you come across heretofore hidden information.

Of interest, is that in 1946 Pine Island along with other US Navy units
visited the Antartic. During that journey She did have on board some
Martin PBM Mariners, one of which was lost, along with 3 crew, and the
rest miracuously surviving, thrown/blown out of the aircraft on impact.
Even with this, I'm not sure Pine Island visited New Zealand either to,
or from the Antartic at that time (would have been nice from a modelers
perspective ).


Thanks/regards

Alan

[AussieBob]

Alan,
Here is the Australian Navy coverage of the 1966 Pine Island visit for the Coral Sea celebrations

www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Navy_News-April-29-1966.pdf
She arrived May 3 1966 and scheduled for NZ visit (Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland) May 16 -20 1966.

For an interesting detailed account of the Martin Mariner which went down in Antarctica 1946, including rescue pics;

fly.historicwings.com/2012/12/g1-down-in-antarctica/

[Dave Homewood]

Perhaps you may find something in the Naval Aviation News archives. You can download their magazine right back to WWI

nanarchive.omnitecinc.com/19601969.aspx

[alanw]

Bob, Dave

Thanks for those links, excellent reading!!

Dave, those Naval Aviation links, I will have sift through
and see if any mention is made of the RNZAF personell training
at NAS Moffett Field for the P3B Orion.

Thanks/regards

Alan

[Dave Homewood]

You might find stuff there related to the Skyhawk pilots being trained too.