George Duncan and the VO/VCS

[keith A]

In 1941-42 this pilot entered the VO/VCS part of his training, presumably after completing training on the "Yellow Peril". Which aircraft would he have flown at NAS Pensacola and would this have occurred at one of the satellite airfields?

I've pencilled in VN1 as his primary training unit flying N2N and N3N, graduating VN2 (flying Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher and Vultee SNV-1/-2 Valiant) and possibly VN4?

I assume he bypassed VN-3?

regards

Keith

[twocee]

It would be difficult to answer this query without more details of the timing and location of his training assignments. For example, in 1941/2 OS2U training was conducted at Pensacola, Jacksonville and Corpus Christi, while that progression through the numbered squadrons you mention ceased with the coming of the war.

[keith A]

Cheers George. All I have is a cobbling together of the pre-war training course and applying it to Duncan's proceeding through the stages September 1941-March 1942. He was channeled into VO/VCS despite wishing to progress to fighters and when that was denied, to torpedo bombers (also denied). I assume from what you are telling me that after completing basic training he was assigned to whatever unit was training pilots in seaplane scouts. He was at Pensacola so VN1D8 for primary (N3N), then VN2D8 (OS2U) for basic/advanced?

best regards

Keith

[twocee]

At that time the intermediate VO-VCS training squadron at Pensacola was VN-5, so presumably it was there he flew the OS2U.

[keith A]

Once again George you are a star