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330-PS-7642 (USN 684243): USS Forrestal (CVA-59), 1956

330-PS-7642 (USN 684243): USS Forrestal (CVA-59), 1956. The FJ-3 “Fury” jet aircraft used in making the first and second landings onboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59) are shown on the deck of the carrier with the helicopter plane guard. These jets were piloted by Commander R.L. Werner and Commander W.M. Harnish, respectively. Werner commanded Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) and landed approximately 2:40 (EST), January 3, 1956 while the aircraft carrier, operating at sea east of Norfolk, Virginia, was undergoing a series of routine tests. Commander Werner made three touch-and-go landings before making the first full-stop landing. A few hours later, piloting the same aircraft, he also made the first catapult launch from the carrier. Aircraft used for these trials are based at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Oceana, Virginia. Later, at approximately, 2:45 (EST), Commander W.M. Harnish, USN, Commanding Officer, Squadron 21 (a unit of ATG-181), piloting a U.S. Navy FJ-3 “Fury” made the second landing on board Forrestal. Commander Harnish’s father, Mr. W.E. Harnish, was the Professor of Education at the University of Illinois. Lieutenant Vincent Darcey, USN, of ATG-181, was the Landing Signal Officer for both landings. Both aircraft were painted with the new white and grey “atomic” paint scheme. Photograph released January 4, 1956. Offical U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2015/02/18)
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Caption: USS Forrestal (CVA-59), 1956. The FJ-3 “Fury” jet aircraft used in making the first and second landings onboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59) are shown on the deck of the carrier with the helicopter plane guard. These jets were piloted by Commander R.L. Werner and Commander W.M. Harnish, respectively. Werner commanded Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) and landed approximately 2:40 (EST), January 3, 1956 while the aircraft carrier, operating at sea east of Norfolk, Virginia, was undergoing a series of routine tests. Commander Werner made three touch-and-go landings before making the first full-stop landing. A few hours later, piloting the same aircraft, he also made the first catapult launch from the carrier. Aircraft used for these trials are based at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Oceana, Virginia. Later, at approximately, 2:45 (EST), Commander W.M. Harnish, USN, Commanding Officer, Squadron 21 (a unit of ATG-181), piloting a U.S. Navy FJ-3 “Fury” made the second landing on board Forrestal. Commander Harnish’s father, Mr. W.E. Harnish, was the Professor of Education at the University of Illinois. Lieutenant Vincent Darcey, USN, of ATG-181, was the Landing Signal Officer for both landings. Both aircraft were painted with the new white and grey “atomic” paint scheme. Photograph released January 4, 1956. Offical U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. (2015/02/18)
Description: FJ-3 "Fury" performing first landing onboard, January 3, 1956.
Accession #: 330-PS-7642 (USN 684243)
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