After many years, I've finally completed the WASP 1940 drawing. Thanks to John Sheridan for giving a ton of commission photos from the National Archives.
WASP was launched on 4th April, 1939 and Air Group 7 was established on July 1st later that year. Commanding officer was Capt. John W. "Black Jack" Reeves jr. with Cmdr. Harold B. Sallada as XO. The initial airgroup comprised VF-7 (Grumman F2F and F3F), VB-7 (Great Lakes BG), and VS-71 and VS-72 (Vought SB2U Vindicators). In November 1940, VB-7 became VF-71 and VF-7 became VF-72. She also carried 3 Grumman J2F Ducks as utility planes.
This is WASP in June 1940, six weeks after her commission on April 25th. For more information about the WASP subscribe to my youtube channel, I'm hoping to get some more episodes released soon.
Today (July 8th) also happens to be the 103rd birthday of Brig. General Ronald. R. Van Stockum, USMC (ret.) who was captain of the marine detachment on the ship and took part in the neutrality patrols, Invasion of Iceland and Malta convoys. He was transfered off 3 months before the ship sank in the Coral Sea. He went on to fight with the Marines across the Pacific islands and also served in Korea and Vietnam. He still writes a monthly column in Sentinel News.
![[ img ]](https://www.dropbox.com/s/uhpewlhmrphmoex/CV-7%20Wasp%201940.png?dl=1)
