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VA-86 made the shake down cruise on the USS Forrestal CVA-59 in early 1956. Shortly after the Forrestal left Norfolk for the Cuba area, the squadron receieved a message downing all the F7U-3M's due to nose gear collasping on arrested landings. If I recall, our sister squadron VA-83 lost a couple a/c. When the Forretal got close to Cuba, all operating a/c were lauched for Leeward Point. The Forrestal anchored in Gitmo Bay and we off loaded all non operating a/c plue bag and baggage. We stayed at Leeward Point until the Forrestal was scheduled to return to NorVA. She anchored again in Gitmo Bay and we loaded all a/c plus bag and baggage aboard. When the Forrestal got close to NorVa, they launched all operating a/c to NAS Oceana. When we arrived in Norva, again we off loaded all non operating a/c plus bag and baggage.
I'm not sure when but the squadron transitioned to the A4. I think this was late '56.
Frederick R. Miller, PH1, USN Retired 55-73 At the time I was with VA-86 on the Forrestal, I was an Airman and worked as a telephone talker in the Squaddron's Ready Room. I reported aboard VA-86 August 1955 and left May 1958 for Norfolk Seperation where I decided to reenlist for six.