VA-76
VA-76
VA-76
VA-76
VA-76
APH-6 VA-76
ATTACK SQUADRON SEVENTY-SIX “SPIRITS” (VA-76) was established on June 1st, 1955. First flying McDonnell F2H-2 Banshees and Grumman F9F-6 Cougars, in May 1959 the squadron transitioned to the new Douglas A-4B Skyhawk.
In March 1962, the A-4C replaced the older A4-B, a version that VA-76 would fly until the squadron disbanded in September 1969.
During the Dominican Republic crisis in June 1965, VA-76 was sent for one month to Puerto Rico from where it flew Armed Recce missions.
The SPIRITS next participated at two WESTPAC cruises in Vietnam, the first in 1965 aboard CVAN-65 USS ENTERPRISE and the second in 1967 aboard CVA-31 USS BON HOMME RICHARD.
From the pictures published in the various USN Aircraft Carriers cruise books, this anonymous early APH-6 helmet has been used most likely during the 1965 WESTPAC cruise, since the VA-76 flight helmets art style changed with the 1967 cruise.
The same pictures demonstrate that VA-76 pilots were wearing green flight suits.
Considering that the High Temperature Resistant and CS/FRP-1 flight suits were introduced in mid-end 1965, it is very possible that VA-76 pilots aboard CVAN-65 were using the transition type OG-107 NYCO Coveralls Flying Men’s made of green cotton and introduced during 1964 in replacement of the previous beige MIL-5390G cotton flight suit.
Sources:
Yves LeClair - Militaria Magazine
This image is drawn from the USS Enterprise 1965 WESTPAC cruise book.
An APH-6 can be seen hanging from the canopy frame of a VA-76 SPIRITS' A4-C Skyhawk.