[ARC5] The Bat Missile

[Clarke, Tom AIR4.0P NATOPS]

My former squadron, Patrol Squadron Twenty-Four (VP-24) was involved in the testing of the Bat missile from NAS Chincoteague, VA.  The squadron was then VP-HL-4, flying the PB4Y-2 Privateer.  The nickname of the unit was the "Batmen" and eventually displayed "Batgirl", the first woman to be so depicted on a squadron insignia.  They later flew P-2V Neptunes and P-3B and C Orions.  The squadron decommissioned in April 1995 at NAS Jacksonville FL.

http://www.vpnavy.org/adobe/vp_24.pdf

Tom/W4OKW
USN (Ret)
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Eleazer [mailto:releazer at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 9:18 PM
To: arc5 at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [ARC5] The Bat Missile

I did lot of research on the Bat missile for an article I planned to write.  I got a copy of the operating manual for it from the Smithsonian and took some pictures of one on display at China Lake.  If anyone wants to see the insides of a Bat missile let me know.

The irony was that by the time the missile got into operation the Navy had all but phased out the very airplanes that they needed to use it effectively.

Wayne WB5WSV