Ford Island Photographer

Wings of Gold, Fall 2004 by Potts, Paul

The workhorse JRSs were running out of parts. We were down to one aircraft. The side of the plane was painted "Ancient Age" in old English script, just like the whisky. She served us well for awhile before shutting down for good.

The Grumman Goose was the replacement aircraft. It was much smaller than the JRS and the props were a lot closer to the bow hatch so they had to install a rack at the back of the hatch to protect the photographer from getting hit by them. Otherwise it worked just as well. It was the same type plane that was used In the TV series "Paradise Island" where in the beginning of each show the dwarf would point in the air and say "The plane, the plane" as it was coming in for a landing.

It wasn't long after this that we received yellow B-26s. They were great for towing targets but not for photography. There were no side or bow hatches and no windows in the fuselage.

In August 1944 VJ-7 arrived to relieve us and the whole VJ-1 squadron was sent to NAS Moffitt, California.

Wings of Gold thanks John Fry for his support on this artile.

Note: The NAS Fort Lauderdale Historical Association is serachingfor military and civilian personnel who were stationed here during WWIl, or anyone who has information concerning this base or its operations.

Please contact Al McElhiney,

4000 Perimeter Rod,

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315

(954) 359-4400