​​​FLIGHTGEAR.CH

This APH-5 flight helmet belonged to AO1 Melton Stokes, a decorated WW2 veteran who served as Bombardier/Navigator  in the Heavy Attack Squadron 5 in 1959, flying Douglas A3D-2 Skywarriors.

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At the time VAH-5 “Savage Sons”  was based at Sanford Naval Air Station, FL. The squadron took part in several cruises in the Mediterranean aboard the USS Forrestal (CV-59) from 1958 to 1963.

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The transition to the North American RA-5C Vigilante occurred during 1963, and in 1964 VAH-5 was thus redesigned RVAH-5.

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The new squadron sailed for its first WESTPAC Vietnam cruise in August 1964.

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