Here's a scan of an actual history card for North American SNJ-5B BuNo 91077 (from 2nd tour on)

Assigned to aircraft pool, Corpus Christi, Texas. Pools were maintained at large air stations that had an Assembly and Repair Department. As aircraft were delivered or finished overhaul, they were assigned where needed.

Assigned to VN-13D8C (Instrument Training Squadron C of the 8th Naval District) at Cuddihy Field, located near Corpus Christi, Texas. This squadron moved to Beeville from Rodd in May of 1943 and moved to Cuddihy in December of 1944.

Assigned to NAIT (Naval Air Intermediate Training), Cuddihy Field.

Assigned to VN-2D8A (Instrument Training Squadron A of the 8th Naval District) at Cuddihy Field. In a reorganization of the Training Command following the war, Instrument Training Squadron VN-13D8C was re-designated VN-2D8A.

Assigned to NABT (Naval Air Basic Training). In the re-organization mentioned above, NAIT became NABT.

Under Reconditioning in Pensacola. She was given a Navy overhaul at this point.

In Storage at Glynco Naval Air Station (near Brunswick, Georgia). Aircraft were stored in complete condition at this ex-blimp base. Many of these aircraft were brought out of storage for the Korean War.

Assembly & Repair, Pensacola. She was brought out of storage and made ready for her 2nd tour.

Assigned to BTU-1 (Basic Training Unit #1) at Whiting Field, Florida. BTU-1 was part of NATC (Naval Air Training Command). Used for student pilot training. Interesting note: During 1949 & 1950 the Navy precision flying team, the Blue Angels made their home at Whiting Field.

Click here to see a brief history of NAS Whiting Field.

O & R (Overhaul & Repair), Pensacola. She was given another Navy overhaul during this time period. Overhaul was completed by August of 1950. Assigned to pool by September 15, 1950.

Total Airframe Time at this point: 2411 hours.

Assigned to NAAS Monterey. Used for crew training. This was the start of her 3rd tour.

Assigned to Pacific Fleet, San Diego. Used for Minimum Individual Training.

Total Airframe Time at this point: 3302 hours.

O & R (Overhaul & Repair), Pensacola. Undergoing conversion to SNJ-5B configuration. Similar to how the C in SNJ-5C denotes an SNJ-5 converted for use in carrier operations by the Navy, the B in SNJ-5B means it was converted for use as a 'dedicated gunnery trainer' by the Navy.

BTU-3 (Basic Training Unit #3) at Saufley Field, Florida. After being converted to "B" configuration as a dedicated gunnery trainer (see above), BuNo 91077 was used in tactical training for the Naval Air Basic Training Command. This was the start of her 4th and final tour.

Total Airframe Time at this point: 3496 hours.

Stricken from Navy records. History is unclear from this point on. I am told a Sam Goldman purchased numerous surplus SNJ's in Pensacola around this time period and that my airframe was part of that purchase. Many of these airframes / components were used in the movie "Swing Shift" starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Total Airframe Time at this point: 4118 hours.

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Last update: November 21, 2001

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