VIETNAM US NAVY FLIGHT JACKET VAH-1 SMOKIN TIGERS | Live and Online Auctions on HiBid.com

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Price Realized:

870.00 USD

Shipping Available

Price Realized	870.00 USD
Date Sold	2023-06-24T00:00:00

Willoughby, OH 44094

Date(s)

11/6/2022 - 6/24/2023

AUCTIONEER INFORMATION

Milestone Auctions

440-527-8060

Lot #	552
Estimate	400.00 - 600.00 USD
Group - Category	Antiques & Collectibles - Militaria & War Collectibles - Vietnam War
Lead	VIETNAM US NAVY FLIGHT JACKET VAH-1 SMOKIN TIGERS
Description	US Navy Named Naval Aviator Flight Jacket that is patched out to the Smoking Tigers. The jackets tag to the interior reads "JACKET, FLYING, VERY LIGHT SPECIFICATION MIL-J-7758A ROLEN SPORTSWEAR CO. CONTRACT NO.N.383-41112A SIZE 38" and has a leather named tag to E.C. FRITSCH, JR. Commander USN along with a pair of Naval Aviator Wings, all in gilt. There is a patch to the chest indicating the unit VAH-6 and to the shoulder VAH-1. Excellent. Operational history VAH-1 Established at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida on 1 November 1955 as the heir to Patrol Squadron THREE (VP-3), VAH-1 became the first unit to operate the A3D Skywarrior, receiving their first five A3D-1s on 31 March 1956. In early November 1956, VAH-1's A3D-1s were craned aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) at Naval Station Mayport, Florida and the Forrestal put to sea to operate in the eastern Atlantic during the Suez Crisis, ready to enter the Mediterranean Sea should it be necessary. Carrier qualifications with the A3D-1 were conducted during this period and Forrestal returned to the US on 12 December 1956. In January 1957, VAH-1 embarked on Forrestal on its first formal deployment, a cruise to the Mediterranean. In 1958, VAH-1 upgraded to the A3D-2 version of the Skywarrior and, in January 1959, relocated to Naval Air Station Sanford, Florida. VAH-1 continued to operate the Skywarrior until late 1962, at which point the squadron ceased operating the now renamed A-3B and began preparations for transitioning to the A-5A Vigilante, completing transition in January 1963. The squadron made one overseas deployment with the A-5A and continued to operate the aircraft until mid-1964, at which point it began transitioning to the RA-5C Vigilante. This transition was completed in August 1964 and the squadron was redesignated as RVAH-1 on 1 September 1964.2 September 1958 - 12 March 1958, VAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Randolph for a Mediterranean deployment.4 August 1960 - 3 March 1961, VAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Independence for a Mediterranean deployment.4 August 1961 - 19 December 1961, VAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Independence for a Mediterranean deployment.19 April 1962 - 27 August 1962, VAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Independence for a Mediterranean deployment.6 August 1963 - 4 March 1964, VAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Independence for a Mediterranean deployment.RVAH-1 / Cold War & VietnamVAH-1 was redesignated as RVAH-1 on 1 September 1964.On 3 September 1964, shortly following the squadron's redesignation as RVAH-1, an RA-5C, BuNo 151616, assigned to RVAH-1 suffered complete hydraulic failure and crashed at Naval Air Station Sanford. Both of the jet's crewmen, Lieutenant Command James Bell and AMHC Pemberton, safely ejected.10 May 1965 - 13 December 1965, RVAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Independence for a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and Vietnam deployment.On 16 October 1965, RA-5C BuNo 151615 was lost in combat. Both crewmen, LCDR James Bell and LCDR James Hutton, ejected successfully, were captured, and held as POWs in North Vietnam until repatriated to the United States on 12 February 1973.3 January 1968 - 18 July 1968, RVAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Enterprise for a WESTPAC and Vietnam deployment.On 5 May 1968, RA-5C BuNo 149278 was lost in combat. Both crewmen, Lieutenant Giles Norrington and Lieutenant Richard Tangeman ejected successfully, were captured, and held as POWs in North Vietnam until repatriated to the United States on 14 March 1973.Budgetary pressures of the Vietnam War force the Department of Defense to close several stateside air force bases and naval air stations, to include Naval Air Station Sanford, Florida. Upon return from their 1968 deployment, RVAH-1 shifts home stations from NAS Sanford to the former Turner Air Force Base, renamed Naval Air Station Albany, Georgia (Turner Field).9 July 1969 - 22 Jan 1970, RVAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Saratoga for a Mediterranean deployment.27 October 1970 – 17 July 1971, RVAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Ranger for a WESTPAC and Vietnam deployment.11 April 1972 – 13 February 1973, RVAH-1 was embarked aboard USS Saratoga for a WESTPAC and Vietnam deployment. This was the squadron's final Vietnam deployment.On 7 June 1972, RA-5C BuNo 156616 was struck by an SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missile in combat near Haiphong, North Vietnam. Both crewmen ejected successfully and were rescued.Operational historyVC-6VC-6 was established at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California on 6 January 1950 as the Navy's second nuclear attack squadron and was initially equipped with the P2V Neptune. It became the second Navy squadron to operate the AJ-2 Savage, receiving its first aircraft in late 1950. In June 1952, the squadron relocated to Naval Air Station North Island, California and was redesignated Heavy Attack Squadron SIX (VAH-6) on 1 July 1956.VAH-6VAH-6 remained at NAS North Island until relocating to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington in early 1958. In June 1958, VAH-6 re equipped with the Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior and made several Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments aboard USS Ranger and Mediterranean deployments aboard USS Forrestal. The squadron's A3D-2 aircraft were redesignated as the A-3B Skywarrior in September 1962. In 1965, the squadron relocated to Naval Air Station Sanford, Florida. In September 1965, the squadron completed transition to the RA-5C Vigilante and was redesignated as Reconnaissance Attack Squadron SIX (RVAH-6).RVAH-6 / Vietnam12 May - 3 December 1966, RVAH-6 was embarked on USS Constellation for a WESTPAC and Vietnam deployment.On 19 August 1966, RA-5C BuNo 149309 was lost in combat while flying from USS Constellation; both crewmen ejected successfully and were rescued.On 23 October 1966, while operating from USS Constellation, RA-5C BuNo 150830 was lost in combat over North Vietnam. The remains of the crew, Lieutenant Commander Thomas Kolstad and Lieutenant (junior grade) William Klenert, were returned to the United States in March 1977. Kolstad was posthumously promoted to CDR and Klenert was posthumously promoted to LT and LCDR.4 November 1967 – 25 May 1968, RVAH-6 was embarked on USS Ranger for a WESTPAC and Vietnam deployment.Budgetary pressures of the Vietnam War force the Department of Defense to close several stateside air bases, to include Naval Air Station Sanford. Upon return from their 1967-1968 deployment, RVAH-1 shifts home stations from NAS Sanford to the former Turner Air Force Base, renamed Naval Air Station Albany, Georgia.6 January-2 July 1969, RVAH-6 was embarked on USS Enterprise for a WESTPAC and Vietnam deployment.On 31 March 1969, RA-5C BuNo 150842 was lost in combat over Laos with the RVAH-6 Commanding Officer, Commander Danforth White, as the pilot and Lieutenant Ramey Carpenter as the reconnaissance attack navigator. The aircraft burst into flames and broke up in flight; there were no ejections and both crewmen were killed in action.6 November 1970 – 17 July 1971, RVAH-6 was embarked on USS Kitty Hawk for a WESTPAC and Vietnam deployment.5 June 1972 – 24 March 1973, RVAH-6 was embarked on USS America for a WESTPAC and Vietnam deployment.

Name	PREMIER MILITARY & EDGED WEAPONS SALE
Auctioneer	Milestone Auctions
Type	Live Webcast Auction
Date(s)	11/6/2022 - 6/24/2023
Auction Date/Time Info	JUNE 24th Sale Starts 10AM EST
Preview Date/Time	7 DAYS PRIOR TO SALE DAY BY APPOINTMENT or 8AM June 24th Sale DAY
Checkout Date/Time	Monday-Friday 9-5 or by Appointment
Location	38198 Willoughby Parkway Willoughby, OH 44094
Buyer Premium	20% Cash & Check 23% For Credit Card
Description	MILESTONE AUCTIONS PROUDLY PRESENTS: PREMIER MILITARY & EDGED WEAPONS AUCTION Exceptional military and edged weapons sale with huge collection of World War II US, German, Japanese and Civil War items. The highlights comprise of many German edged weapons, including many SS, SA, Wehrmacht Luftwaffe and other Axis Power Daggers. Flags and banners from the Third Reich including NSDAP, Hitler Youth, Kriegsmarine as well as Japanese Signed Kanji Flags. Sale also includes Many German Uniforms and medals. Historically significant headgear from WW1 as well as WWII from Spiked Helmets as well as WWII Nazi helmets from the Heer to the Luftwaffe, M43, and Police Officers M43 Helmets. We welcome you to peruse our latest offerings as there is bound to be something of interest to just about every collector and in all price ranges. SATURDAY JUNE 24th 2023 10:00 AM "FULL CATALOG & LIVE BIDDING AVAILABLE THRU" WWW.MILESTONEAUCTIONS.COM LIVEAUCTIONEERS & INVALUABLE, PHONE BIDS & ABSENTEE BIDS Call 440-527-8060 MILESTONE AUCTIONS GALLERY 38198 Willoughby Parkway Willoughby, Ohio 44094 (440) 527-8060 milestoneauctions@yahoo.com Auctioneer: Miles King Buyers Premium: 20% Online 17% In-house 3% Added for Credit Card Payments MILESTONE AUCTIONS IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR QUALITY CONSIGNMENTS! ONE PIECE OR ENTIRE COLLECTIONS!! CALL 440-527-8060 FOR DETAILS

Your bid must adhere to the bid increment schedule.

Bid Amount	Bid Increment
0.00 - 290.00	10.00 USD
290.01 - 975.00	25.00 USD
975.01 - 1,950.00	50.00 USD
1,950.01 - 4,900.00	100.00 USD
4,900.01 - 9,750.00	250.00 USD
9,750.01 - 24,500.00	500.00 USD
24,500.01 - 49,000.00	1,000.00 USD
49,000.01 - 97,500.00	2,500.00 USD
97,500.01 - 9,999,999.99	10,000.00 USD

Currency	USD
Buyer Premium	20% Cash & Check 23% For Credit Card
Payment Terms	PAYMENT All merchandise must be paid in full within ten (10) days of the date of the sale. Purchases totaling $20,000 or more must be paid within three (3) days of the date of the sale. Call 440-527-8060 to pay your invoice by phone or mail payment to: 38198 Willoughby Parkway, Willoughby Ohio, 44094. SALES TAX- Sales tax is require if manidated by the state you reside in for all internet sales and will be added to your invocie. Absentee bids placed through www.milestoneauctions.com and Proxibid.com will be auto charged to the credit card entered 48 hours after the end of the sale. If you wish to pay by another method please contact us within 48 hours after the sale. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, personal checks/ certified checks, wire transfer, money orders, and cash. • CREDIT CARD - For first time buyers and credit card charges greater than $2,500.00 buyers must complete the bottom portion of the invoice and must specifically sign the acknowledgement of our terms of sale before we will accept payment via credit card. We do offer the convenience of paying automatically by credit card. If you wish have your card automatically charged for all purchases please complete our “Authorization for Automatic Credit Card Use.” We have this form available upon request. Split payments are subject to a 23% buyer’s premium if a credit card is used as any form of total payment. • CHECK - There will be a $30.00 service charge for returned checks. Make checks payable to: Milestone Auctions LLC. Milestone Auctions reserves the right to hold items paid for by personal or company check until said check clears (14 days). Milestone Auctions has the right to hold all checks over $2,000.00. Customers who have an established successful buying history with Milestone Auctions may be exempt from this. We will accept a personal or company check >$2,000 and/or from a first time buyer if you provide a Bank Letter of Credit, available on our website, www.milestoneauctions.com. In the few situations where a successful bidder does not remit payment when due, Milestone Auctions will proceed with the legal steps necessary to protect its interests and will block the bidder from future auction participation.