# North Pacific Skies

> People and Machines


## Pages

- [Aleutian PV-1 Painting Schemes](https://norpacwar.com/aleutian-pv-1-painting-schemes-2/): Камуфляж алеутских “Вентур” и эволюция опознавательных знаков США в 1942-1944 годах. PV-1 painting schemes Производство патрульных бомбардировщиков PV-1 “Вентура” (модель 237-27-01) по заказу ВМФ США началось в декабре 1942 года на заводе в г. Бурбанк, штат Калифорния. В первую серию вошли самолеты заводских номеров (c/n) 237-4876/5075, BuNo 29723/29922.   PV-1 ранних серий внешне отличались от более поздних машин своим носовым остеклением, унаследованным от британских “Вентур”, в носу которых сидел бомбардир, а также складным сиденьем и складным штурвалом второго пилота, чтобы пропускать бомбардира на его рабочее место. Тем не менее, это уже были “полноценные” машины, построенные по спецификациям американского флота. Вместо бомбардира в носовой части самолета был установлен секретный радар ASD-1 и оборудование
- ["История учит нас только тому, что мы у нее ничему не учимся"](https://norpacwar.com/%d0%b8%d1%81%d1%82%d0%be%d1%80%d0%b8%d1%8f-%d1%83%d1%87%d0%b8%d1%82-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%81-%d1%82%d0%be%d0%bb%d1%8c%d0%ba%d0%be-%d1%82%d0%be%d0%bc%d1%83-%d1%87%d1%82%d0%be-%d0%bc%d1%8b-%d1%83-%d0%bd/): North Pacific Skies- люди и машины English Некоторое время назад я подумал, что в процессе “ковыряния” архивов подчас натыкаешься на некоторые факты, которыми хочется поделиться не только с узким кругом друзей и знакомых по переписке.  Многие события семидесятилетней давности до сих пор малоизвестны как в России, так и в США, иные крайне любопытны своими деталями. Так возникла идея создания сайта для всех, кто интересуется историей войны в северно- тихоокеанском регионе.  Не пытаясь тягаться с успешно существующими форумами вроде Tsushima.su или Axis forum, я хочу создать информационный ресурс для исследователей- любителей вроде себя, историков, студентов и моделистов. Используйте приведенные ссылки и адреса
- ["Дружественный" огонь в Тихом океане](https://norpacwar.com/untitled-c1232/): Огонь по своим на северном Тихом океане English Ошибочные  атаки случались не раз и не два во время Второй Мировой.   Огонь по своим (или “дружественный” огонь) -военный термин, обозначающий ошибочную атаку, произведённую военнослужащим или подразделением на подразделение своих войск (сил) или войск (сил) союзника.  Главными его причинами являются:   Ошибка идентификации – от незнания точного местоположения частей союзников; часто вызвана “туманом войны”, то есть отсутствием полной и достоверной информации о местоположении своих и вражеских подразделений. Усугубляется неразличимостью или отсутствием опознавательных знаков, особенно в условиях плохой погоды или ночью, а также неадекватной связью с дружественными частями. Огонь по своим, вызванный поспешностью решений или некомпетентностью приказов, также порой попадает в эту категорию. Поэтому сама концепция “тумана
- [contact](https://norpacwar.com/contact/): contact admin@norpacwar.com
- [pv 1 losses alaska and aleutian islands](https://norpacwar.com/pv-1-losses-alaska-and-aleutian-islands/): Table of Contents Aleutian Ventura’s accident list Russian Prepared by Boris Ilchenko, based on Craig Fuller’s list (www.aviationarchaeology.com) Sources: War Diaries and Aircraft Action Reports of VP/VPB 131, 135, 136, 139, 199, NAS Whidbey Island, Fleet Air Wings Four and Six, FAW 4 and 6 Hedrons, COMNORPACFOR.Ralph Wetterhahn’s list from his book “The Last Flight of Bomber 31” (RW) Format:1. Date2. BuNo/Squadron Code (if confirmed)3. Plane Commander, Squadron, Base4. Damage amount (A through E: A- destroyed, E- minor damage)5. Type of accident (Navy abbreviation with explanation)6. Type of mission7. Crew All BuNos are of PV-1 aircrafts except where indicated otherwise. 1/16/43 29732
- ["Вентуры" в СССР](https://norpacwar.com/%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%bd%d1%82%d1%83%d1%80%d1%8b-%d0%b2-%d1%81%d1%81%d1%80/): “Вентуры” в СССР Navy acronyms list PV-1 являлся одним из самых передовых самолетов своего времени по многим причинам, но главным образом- благодаря своему радиоэлектронному и навигационному оборудованию. Он никогда не поставлялся в СССР в рамках Ленд- Лиза, тем не менее, несколько “Вентур” использовались 128й САД на Камчатке. Ниже описана краткая история каждой машины, оказавшейся на советской территории. Источники: американские архивы, книги Отиса Хейза (Otis Hays) “Home from Siberia” и Ралфа Веттерхана (Ralph Wetterhahn) “The Last Flight of Bomber 31”. Даты указаны в американском стиле (месяц/число/год) 3/25/44 34641 (BuNo, регистрационный номер Бюро Аэронавтики) 33V (бортовой номер) VB-139 ( бомбардировочно- патрульная эскадрилья
- [Friendly fire](https://norpacwar.com/friendly-fire/): Friendly fire in the North Pacific Русский Friendly fire is an attack by a military force on non-enemy, own, allied or neutral, forces while attempting to attack the enemy, either by misidentifying the target as hostile, or due to errors or inaccuracy. Fire not intended to attack the enemy, such as negligent discharge and deliberate firing on one’s own troops for disciplinary reasons, is not called friendly fire. Nor is unintentional harm to non-combatants or structures, which is sometimes referred to as collateral damage. Training accidents and bloodless incidents also do not qualify as friendly fire in terms of casualty reporting. Use of the term “friendly” in
- [Aleutian PV-1 Painting Schemes](https://norpacwar.com/aleutian-pv-1-painting-schemes/): Aleutian PV-1 Camouflage Schemes and the evolution of the U.S. National aircraft insignia marks Production of a PV-1 “Ventura” patrol bomber (Lockheed Model 237-27-01) was started in Burbank, CA in December 1942. The first US Navy squadrons equipped with PV-1 aircraft in the North Pacific were VB-135 and VB-136 deployed to the Aleutians. Their planes inherited several features from British Venturas, such as a “greenhouse” in the nose and rudimentary copilot seat, to allow the access to the bombardiers workplace. However, the nose compartment in these aircraft was occupied by a radar and provisions for aerial cameras installation.   The
- [VP 45](https://norpacwar.com/vp-45/): Back to PBY squadrons VP-45 Commissioned 10 March 1943     Lt. R. Donley, first Commander, Patrol Squadron 45:  “The formation of VP-45 began in late February of 1943 when I and Wiljo Lindgren were called into the Commander, Fleet Air at Sand Point (Seattle) and directed to form a squadron of six PBY’s to be known as VP-45. We were to train the crews for the mission, the purpose and destination of which we were not told. The Admiral said he would call us back to Seattle when the mission was finished and give us a duty assignment of our
- [VPB 122](https://norpacwar.com/vpb-122/): VPB-122 Back to USN Air Squadrons VPB-120 VPB-122, Tail Codes 61-80   Occupied the opposite side of VPB-120 hangar at Shemya. First missions (sector searches) were flown after the surrender of Japan. 8/18 61V, 63V, 64V 8/21 61V, 72V 8/22 65V, 67V 8/23 64V, 68V 8/24 66V, 69V 8/25 61V, 63V, 65V, 72V 8/26 64V, 67V, 68V 8/30 62V, 63V, 65V   BuNos with known corresponding tail codes: 59644        5-11/45 crashed and wrecked 1/12/46, landing in icy conditions. Kodiak NAS.  59646 62V 5-11/45 59647        5-12/45 59678 64V 5-12/45 59775 65V 5-12/45 59777 66V 5-11/45 59778        5-10/45 wrecked
- [VPB 120](https://norpacwar.com/vpb-120/): VPB-120 at Whidbey Island prior to departure for the Aleutians Back to USN squadrons VPB-122 3/28/45 15 new PB4Y-2 were assigned to the squadron with 6 used PB4Y-2 for training purposes. The 6 used planes were transferred to VPB-115 by the end of May. 59745, 7/19/45- emergency landing at Yakatat en route to Shemya from Whidbey Island via Anchorage and Adak. August 1945: 18 crews and 14 Privateers. As of 8/3/45: 2 a/c transferred to HEDRON,12 planes in custody. VPB-120 squadron call codes (tail codes) assigned by the Fleet Air Wing Four: 81-100. The codes of the aircraft flown by the Squadron in August:
- [Hedron](https://norpacwar.com/hedron/): Headquarter squadron (Hedron) Aircrafts BuNo and movement Format: BuNo, Squadron Code, Date moved in or out of the Squadron, Destination, Remarks Click on thumbnail to expand the photo Back to PV-1 squadrons Patrol Servise Unit (PATSU) personnel 1944 X4 Hedron X4 Hedron. 5-1-1944 Adak VB-135 and Hedron Venturas. Photo courtesy Don Anderson, VB-139 VB-135/Hedron X5 BuNo 29768 Disney Artwork X5 BuNo 29768. X5 BuNo 29768 X12 BuNo 33118, Ex-4V of VB-136. After 6-28-43 X12 BuNo 33118, Ex-4V of VB-136. After 6-28-43 29749/14V  Former VB-135. To Hedron 5/5/43 Lost or damaged on 1/26/44, Adak. BuNo 33345 X5 12/10/43 arrived to Attu
- [VB-139, 2nd tour](https://norpacwar.com/vb-139-2nd-tour/): Back to VB-139 VB-139, 2nd tour. The first PV-2 Squadron in the Aleutians By 3/12/1945 entire squadron minus one PV-2 arrived to Attu to relieve VPB-136. Joined searches in conjunction with VPB-131 started as early as 3/14/45.   For further details please refer to the VB/VPB-139 Historical Survey 3/26/45 PV-2 BuNo 37065 crashed and burned at Shemya. Lt Dulin overshot the runway on instrument approach through severe snow squall. Crew survived with minor injuries. 4/22/45 PV-2 BuNo 37075 did not return from routine search flight off Attu.Lt. William Duncan See (A1) 130238Ens. Jack Holton Hawley (A1) 351041Ens. Russel Fairfax Miller (A1)
- [McKelvey](https://norpacwar.com/mckelvey/): Commander Thomas R. “Bob” McKelvey 3 August 1919- 14 December 2016 (interviewed via his cousin Josiah Williams) Bob (Commander McKelvey) had an extraordinary career during WWII. He was a graduate of Berkeley High School and attended the University of South Carolina before the war broke out. He first became a civilian pilot, and in March 1941 he joined the Navy as an aviation cadet at Pensacola, FL- after being rejected by the USAAC.  Graduating in October 1941, he reported to Patrol Squadron 23 (PBY’s) based on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The aircraft he flew with the VP-23 Squadron was the PBY. He was one of
- [VB-139, 1st tour](https://norpacwar.com/vb-139-1st/): VB-139, 1st tour. Aircrafts BuNo and movement Back to VB-139 Format: Squadron Code(R=replacement)/BuNo, Date moved out of the Squadron, Destination, Remarks Click on thumbnail to expand the photo VB-139 Patrol Bomber Squadron was  commissioned on 4/1/43 at Whidbey Island. Training at Whidbey continued until 7/22/43, then the squadron was moved to NAS Alameda, CA to install new instrument panels to the planes. VB-139 returned to Whidbey Island on 8/15/43 to complete new instrument syllabus. 7 October 1943 the squadron arrived to Amchitka and began patrol searches. Part of the squadron at the same period was operating from Adak. 10 December 1943 VB-139
- [VB/VPB-139](https://norpacwar.com/vb-vpb-139/): VB-139 Back to PV-1 squadrons ​ Historical survey, VP/VPB-139 ​ Cmdr Thomas “Bob” McKelvey ​ Bomber 31 story ​ Memoirs of Thomas F Erickson, co-pilot on Grange McKinney’s crew VB-139, 1st Tour VPB-139, 2nd Tour
- [VB-136, 1st tour](https://norpacwar.com/vb-136-1st-tour/): VB-136, 1st tour. Aircrafts BuNo and movement Back to PV-1 squadrons Back to VB-136   At the time that the U.S. formally entered World War II, VP-41 was the squadron’s designation until 1 March 1943 when VP-41 was redesignated VB-136 to reflect its change from a patrol squadron to a bombing squadron. By April the PBY-5A flying boats had been turned in, and the squadron began refitting with the PV-1 Ventura.    22-24 April, 1943 VB-136 CO Lt. Comdr. Haines, departed NAS Whidbey for Kodiak with 8 PV-1s: 29736 to Hedron 5/8/43; VB-136/5R2 as of 5/1329772 to Hedron 5/8/4329794/9V lost
- [VB/VPB-136](https://norpacwar.com/vpvpb-136/): VB/VPB-136 Back to PV-1 squadrons March 1, 1943Patrol Squadron VP-41 was redesignated as Bombing Squadron VB-136. CO Lt. Comdr. Nathan S. Haines 1st tour April-December 1943 2nd Tour, June 1944- February 1945
- [VB-135, 2nd tour](https://norpacwar.com/vb-135-2nd-tour/): VB/VPB-135, 2nd tour, May- October 1944 Preparations For the Second Tour 3 January to 15 April 1944:  training with PV-1 type aircraft for duty in the Northern Pacific, with special emphasis on instrument flying, bombing, gunnery and navigation at Ault Field, Whidbey Island, WA.   This squadron was a special unit whose mission was to photograph the Japanese Home Islands of Paramushiro and Shimushu at the Northern end of the Kuriles in an attept to discover the full extent of Japanese military activities.   Meager training in the use of photo-flash bombs in connection with night photo- reconnaissance training was
- [VB-135 1st Tour, May- November 1943](https://norpacwar.com/vb-135-1st-tour-may-november-1943/): VB-135 1st Tour, May- November 1943 Back to VB-135 Aircraft, BuNo, Squadron numbers and movement.  Click on the image to expand the photo Photo credits: John C. Stanaway, “The Operational History of Lockheed’s Lucky Star” A Schiffer Military History Book, 1996; Charles S. Scrivner “The Empire Express”, Historical Aviation Album, 1976; NARA Don Anderson (VB-139) and Lewis “Pat” Patteson (VB-135) collections  “Авиация и время” (“Aviation and Time”) magazine, issues 2 and 3, 2017, Kyiv, Ukraine 29749/14V  Former VB-135. To Hedron 5/5/43 Lost or damaged on 1/26/44, Adak. VB-135 16V BuNo 29746 Amchitka 5/16/43 damaged on landing, Lt.Jack J. Kassel 5/23/43 completely
- [VB/VPB-135](https://norpacwar.com/vb-vpb-135/): VB/VPB-135 Commissioned on 15 February 1943 at Ault Field, Whidbey Island, WA.The nucleus of the Squadron was obtained from a decommissioned PBY squadron, VP-42, that itself was formed from the VP-17. The VP-17 made an impressive record in the defense of Dutch Harbor when it was attacked by a Japanese task force in June 1942. VB-135 became the first Navy PV-1 Squadron in the Pacific, and the Western Aleutians. Back to PV-1 squadrons First tour: May- November 1943 Second tour: May- October 1944 Third tour: August 1945
- [Home](https://norpacwar.com/): Welcome to the North Pacific Skies! Recently, I realized that some of my archive digging results might be worthy of being known by a wider community of people rather than just a close circle of friends and pen pals. Some facts I’ve uncovered are far more interesting than just trivia, and others are widely unknown, yet important events from seventy-plus years ago. With that in mind, I created this website for those interested in the history of WWII in the Northern Pacific. Without attempt of competing with existing successful internet forums on the subject of WWII, I want to build


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