![]() ![]() An Argus team was a pre-staged radio and radar unit deployed as soon as a captured airfield was made ready. The United States further refined this with the Argus and ACORN systems. US Navy construction battalions (SeaBees) proved adept at quickly “turning around” captured Japanese airstrips for use by larger land-based warplanes, or even building them from scratch. Shipyards in the Allied nations cranked out flattops faster and in much higher numbers then had been thought possible. The aircraft carrier became the dominant warship during WWII, and carrier-based planes supplanted the short range roles envisioned for small and medium-sized seaplanes. (USS Albemarle with Catalinas during WWII.) However they were not as ubiquitous or critical as had been envisioned before the war. The US Navy was by no means unique in this mindset, and the Imperial Japanese Navy also foresaw a mission for ships of this type.įor certain, “flying boat”-type seaplanes (especially the Catalina) played a useful role during WWII. In the foreground is USS Albemarle (AV-5) – the future USNS Corpus Christi Bay – and across the pier USS Curtis (AV-4), further along with 5″ guns already fitted.) (The two Curtis class large seaplane tenders fitting out after launch. Instead, medium and large seaplanes would be served by new large seaplane tenders as the “forward edge” of US Navy aviation, doing not just reconnaissance but ASW missions, anti-shipping strikes, and even strategic bombing of enemy cities – all without the need for ashore airstrips, and able to move around as the war progressed. Smaller seaplanes would be used for scouting, while a myriad of missions were envisioned for big “flying boat”-types.īefore 1941 it was thought of as unfeasible to secure, build, equip, and man new airstrips for big land-based naval warplanes….the logistical and transportation bandwidths were just not there. Like other navies of the upcoming second world war, the US Navy had high hopes for large seaplane tenders in the 1930s. (USNS Corpus Christi Bay during the Vietnam War.) (photo by Bob Brandt) (The ex-USS Albemarle being converted into USNS Corpus Christi Bay (T-ARVH-1) at Charleston Naval Shipyard.) (Launching of the WWII US Navy seaplane tender USS Albemarle.) (Associated Press photo) However one, USS Albemarle, would have a second life as a US Army floating repair base during that conflict. ![]() So I think Corpus is very fortunate.WWII-era seaplane tenders were on their way out of the US Navy by the time of the Vietnam War. "Just some branches off the trees," Corpus Christi resident Shelia Rogers said of the damage at her house. So far, there are no reports of any injuries or deaths from Hurricane Hanna. The flood-prone North Beach area had lots of standing water in streets and in fields as viewed from the air. In Packery Channel, the helicopter crew spotted a half sunken boat that was leaking something into the water. Aerial video showed a mixture of free-floating boats and wood pressed against a retaining wall. The marina at the Marina Del Sol condominium complex is also badly damaged. “I saw on the news (about) Bob Hall Pier and all of that," Corpus Christi visitor Felipe Cruz said. The view from the air showed missing planks and sections of railing at Bob Hall Pier and damage to the surface of the parking lot there. CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A helicopter tour is providing an aerial view of the damaged left behind by Hurricane Hanna. ![]()
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