Book Description

Interview with Glenn M. Stinchcomb, an engineer and Navy veteran (VP-27), concerning his experiences as a PB4Y-2 co-pilot during World War II and the early years of the Cold War. Decision to enlist in the Navy on May 9, 1945; acceptance in the V-5 Program for naval aviators, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, 1945-46; pre-flight training, Naval Air Station, Ottumwa, Iowa, 1946; his decision to participate in the Holloway Program as a midshipman, 1946; primary flight training, Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, 1947; basic flight training, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, 1947-48; PBY Catalina training, Pensacola; advanced flight training, Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, 1948; PB4Y-2 training, Corpus Christi; airborne radar training, Naval Air Station, San Ysidro, California, 1948; training with submarines at San Diego, California, 1948; assignment to VP-27, Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island and Kodiak Island, Alaska; Alaskan weather and its effects on flying; photo-reconnaissance missions; Russian overflights of Alaskan territory; equipment problems due to cold weather; the end of his tour, December, 1949.