Air Development Squadron 3 or VX-3 was a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron established on 20 November 1948 and disestablished on 1 March 1960.
13-490: VX-3 was established by the merger of the assets of VA-1L and VF-1L and based at NAS Atlantic City , its aircraft carried the tail code "XC". In late 1949 VX-3 received the F6U Pirate which it operated for a short period before sending them into storage at NAS Quonset Point . In March 1953 VX-3 began operational trials of probe and drogue aerial refueling using AJ-1 Savage bombers. In late 1954 VX-3 carrier-qualified
26-573: A VX-3 Crusader set a US coast to coast speed record of three hours and twenty-eight minutes, launching from USS Bon Homme Richard on the West Coast and landing on USS Saratoga on the East Coast. Walter Starghill AT3 VA-1L Attack Squadron ONE L (VA-1L) was a United States Navy squadron used to evaluate weapons and equipment and develop new tactics for the fleet under command of Light Carrier Air Group One (CVLG-1) aboard
39-612: A day and night capability. By the end of the year however, the fighter aircraft were transferred to the group's fighter unit, Fighter Squadron ONE L (VF-1L), and the now-redesignated attack squadron would focus on attack-oriented aircraft types for the duration of its establishment. The squadron was moved to Naval Air Station Atlantic City on 19 June 1946 and when the squadron received the TBM-3W airborne early warning aircraft in March 1947, it also received qualified personnel to support and operate
52-438: A month would pass before the first commanding officer , Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Samuel G. Parsons would assume command of the squadron. LCDR John W. Shong became commander of the squadron on 20 August 1946 and would be the unit's longest-serving commander, handing over the squadron on 13 June 1948 to LCDR Laurence W. Abbott Jr. who would see the squadron through to its disestablishment. This article incorporates text from
65-579: A similar role for the next twelve years before ultimately being disestablished itself on 1 March 1960. VT-58 was initially established at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Fentress in Chesapeake, Virginia , but only remained there for three months. Naval Air Station Atlantic City in New Jersey became its new home on 19 June 1946 and it would remain there until its disestablishment in 1948. Established under acting commander Lieutenant Dean S. Laird, little over
78-553: The F6U Pirate which it operated for a short period before sending them into storage at NAS Quonset Point . In March 1953 VX-3 began operational trials of probe and drogue aerial refueling using AJ-1 Savage bombers. In late 1954 VX-3 carrier-qualified the F9F-8 Cougar aboard the USS ; Midway . In August 1955 VX-3 F9F-8s successfully tested the first mirror landing system aboard USS Bennington . VX-3 received
91-570: The F9F-8 Cougar aboard the USS Midway . In August 1955 VX-3 F9F-8s successfully tested the first mirror landing system aboard USS Bennington . VX-3 received the first F-8U-1 Crusaders in December 1956 and conducted carrier qualifications of the Crusader aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1957. During testing of the Crusader two aircraft and pilots were lost. On 6 June 1957
104-409: The USS Saipan (CVL-48) . Originally established as Torpedo Squadron FIFTY EIGHT (VT-58) on 19 March 1946 at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Fentress in Chesapeake, Virginia , it was redesignated VA-1L on 15 November 1946 and ultimately disestablished on 20 November 1948. The squadron was the only one to receive the designations VA-1L or VT-58. The squadron's mission, when established,
117-487: The public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons . VX-3 Air Development Squadron 3 or VX-3 was a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron established on 20 November 1948 and disestablished on 1 March 1960. VX-3 was established by the merger of the assets of VA-1L and VF-1L and based at NAS Atlantic City , its aircraft carried the tail code "XC". In late 1949 VX-3 received
130-693: The AEW TBM. In April and May 1947, the squadron operated aboard USS Saipan (CVL-48) during her shakedown cruise in the Caribbean, and in February the following year, TBM-3N and TBM-3E aircraft were embarked for deployment in the Caribbean about Saipan again, during which squadron aircraft participated in a fly-over during the inauguration ceremonies in Caracas , Venezuela for President-elect Rómulo Gallegos . As part of Saipan's air wing CVLG-1, aircraft carried
143-438: The first F-8U-1 Crusaders in December 1956 and conducted carrier qualifications of the Crusader aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1957. During testing of the Crusader two aircraft and pilots were lost. On 6 June 1957 a VX-3 Crusader set a US coast to coast speed record of three hours and twenty-eight minutes, launching from USS Bon Homme Richard on the West Coast and landing on USS Saratoga on
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#1732916718822156-666: The tail code 'SA'. VA-1L became one of the first squadrons to receive the XBT2D-1, the initial prototype version of what would become better known as the Douglas A-1 Skyraider . Initial aircraft arrived in January 1948 and on 19 October, production examples of the aircraft (designated AD-2). However, the squadron was disestablished shortly thereafter on 20 November 1948 with elements of the squadron joining elements of VF-1L to form Aircraft Development Squadron 3 (VX-3) which would serve in
169-563: Was to work with the navy's Operational Development Force (COMOPDEVFOR). That organization's duties included the operational test and evaluation of new weapons, equipment and methods for use by the fleet; reporting the results; and recommending required training, operating procedures and tactical doctrine. To accomplish this mission, the squadron operated three different types: the F6F-5N Hellcat fighter aircraft , SB2C-5 Helldiver dive bomber and TBM-3 Avenger torpedo bomber , giving them
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