|


Copyright
A-3
Skywarrior
Association
1998-2007
WHALE LANDINGS

| |
Whale Photos pg. 16
Take a look at photos from A-3 Skywarrior
Association activities at Tailhook 2001, Reno, Nev., during the recent convention Aug.
16-19. (Next time I won't use one of those throw-away cameras.) If any one can correct any
of the photo IDs, please do so! Contact Al Rankin at tanker@a3skywarrior.com.
Click on thumbnail image to view
larger version
 |
"The Booth" A-3 Skywarrior Association exhibit
at Tailhook 2001. Seated behind the table is Gil Bouffard. Credit him for the setup and
display. Standing and talking "Whales" Harlan "Mike"
Dinger is Frank Cogdell, assn. secretary. Both are former Heavy 4
"Fourrunners". |
 |
"Ready for NewMembers" Current assn. president,
Al Rankin, completes final check. |
 |
"Exhibitors" Tailhook staff member
(former Whaler, sorry missed the name), Mark Swisher, A-3 treasurer; Jack Taylor, A-3 vice
president;and Frank Cogdell , A-3 secretary (l-r), pose in front of booth. Backdrop
contains history board, photos, patches, and decals. Table features one of Mark
Swisher's custom wood A-3 models, and a continuous loop video of A-3 squadron patches and
inflight footage of A-3s in action, put together by Gil Bouffard. |
 |
"New Member" Seated at the table, Andy Niemyer,
A-3 asst.treasurer, and Jack Taylor, signing in new A-3 Skywarrior Assn. members. |
 |
"Flight Suit Mixer" Jack Taylor, Mark Swisher,
and Andy Niemyer (l-r) showing their stuff during the "Bug" Roach Flight Deck
Mixer Friday evening. |


 |
"Hunting Up Old Whalers" Top...Andy Niemyer
visits with a museum representative interested in an A-3 for display.
Middle...Jack Taylor visits with passers-by.
Bottom...Mark Swisher gets acquainted with Kurt Osterholm, VAW-13 Spad driver from
pre-Whale days. |
 |
"Good Deal, Sailor!" "You fly whale? Give
me twenty bucks." Chief recruiter Andy Niemyer signs up new generation naval aviator,
Katrina "Rollergirl" Hickman,VAQ-130, currently on active duty flying Prowlers.
(Note "Zapper" patch on her flight suit.)
|
 |
"Zappers Reunited--Spads, Whales, and Prowlers" Past
and current members of VAW-13/VAQ-130 "Zappers' get together: John Cheney, Al Rankin,
Renee "Scout" Finch, William Reisa, Katrina "Rollergirl" Hickman, Kurt
Osterholm, Phil Owens, Chuck Reite, and John Marlin (l-r). John and Al
represent the Whale era; the two ladies, Prowlers; and the other five gents, Spads. |
 |
"Zapper Hospitality Room" VAQ-130 crew invites
Spad and Whale old-timers in for a visit. |

  |
"Old Whalers at the Banquet" Closing night
finds two tables of Whalers enjoying the festivities. (I didn't get a shot of a third
group.)
Top (l-r): Harlan Dinger, Bill "Woodie" Woodward, Jim Whitfield, Larry
Kaiser, Lou Hettinger, and Andy Niemyer.
Middle (foreground, l-r): Larry Kaiser, Jim Whitfield, and Bill
"Woodie" Woodward; (background l-r) Lou Hettinger, Andy Niemyer, Mark Swisher,
Frank Cogdell, Jack Taylor, and Al Rankin.
Bottom (l-r): Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bovey (?), Jim Ostergren, Mr. and Mrs.
Tad Bingham,
and Mr. and Mrs. Preston Reynolds (?).
|
BACK -
NEXT
|