richardbyrd

Excellent

These always tug at me to research; all I have time for now is.... Launched Sept. 1945, commissioned 11 May 1946; In June, went to Quonset Point, R.I., for initial training of the crew. By September 1946, she began her shakedown cruise in the Caribbean area with Air Group 20 embarked. Upon returning, she was ordered back to Boston to prepare for the Navy's Antarctic Expedition, Operation Highjump. On 29 January 1947, from a position 660 miles off the Antarctic continent, Philippine Sea launched the first of six R4D transport aircraft which she had ferried from Norfolk, Va., as part of Operation Highjump. An R4D carried Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd and his party from the ship to begin their polar explorations from Little America.

Looking at the Island structure, I'd say that this photo was taken sometime in 1953 or later. In 1946 the bridge and funnel of the Philippine Sea looked nothing like it shows in this photo. Hope this info helps.

Brian J.73 Thanks!

See Evening Star. May 10, 1931, Image 96 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-05-10/ed-... for pictures of this event. 'Miss Patricia Morton, as “Queen Shenandoah VIII.” is escorted from her throne by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd.' at the 'eighth annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, on the steps of Handley Stadium at Winchester, Va.' Evening Star. May 06, 1931, Page B-1, Image 17 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-05-06/ed-... implies that the ceremony was on Wednesday May 6, 1931. However, the Evening Star. May 04, 1931, Page B-4, Image 20 chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1931-05-04/ed-... has a schedule that says the coronation of Queen Shenandoah VIII was to be at 3pm on Tuesday, which would be May 5, 1931

Byrd: www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/46789611875/ www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/30985255094/

Thanks for the links swanq . I located a pretty thorough description of the festivities. The coronation would have been on May 5th, but festival also covered the 6th and ended with a evening ball. Byrd, who was born in Winchester, was very famous at this point so it's not surprising there are lots of people gathered to see the festival.

As far as I know all the US built F.VII/3m were known as C.2 and not under their European designation F-7 or F.VII/3m. This is 2912/NX206 (it was re-registered at some point) c/n 703 which was used by The America Trans Oceanic Co Inc. Stig