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NavSource Online: Aircraft Carrier Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS PHILIPPINE SEA   (CV-47)
(later CVA-47, CVS-47 and AVT-11)



Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Tango - Mike - Uniform
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "CASHEW"

CLASS - ESSEX (Long Hull) AKA TICONDEROGA
Displacement 27,100 Tons, Dimensions, 888' (oa) x 93' x 28' 7" (Max)
Armament 12 x 5"/38AA, 32 x 40mm, 46 x 20mm, 82 Aircraft.
Armor, 4" Belt, 2 1/2" Hanger deck, 1 1/2" Deck, 1 1/2" Conning Tower.
Machinery, 150,000 SHP; Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 4 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Crew 3448.

Operational and Building Data

Initially named Wright, Philippine Sea (CV-47) was laid down by the Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass. 19 August 1944, launched 5 September 1945, and commissioned 11 May 1946.

FATE

Decommissioned 28 December 1958 and berthed with the Reserve Fleet at Long Beach, she was redesignated AVT-11, 15 May 1959, and struck from the Navy List 1 December 1969. About 600 tons of her armor plate have been put to use at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.


Click On Image 
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
CV/CVA-47, 1946-1955
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024701
95k As completed, F9F Panthers on deck. Undated. USN
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024702
120k Transporting aircraft. Undated USN
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024703
181k Underway © EMC(SW) Brian Kroenung
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024727
91k

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) exercising at sea with another carrier and a heavy cruiser, circa 1948. The photograph was received by the Naval Photographic Center on 10 January 1949. Note: "E" painted on her stack, location of hull number below the after end of her island; and HO3S helicopter on her flight deck.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-706709).

NHC
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS100205805
46k

USS Chara (AKA-58) during an underway replenishment with USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) and USS Hollister (DD-788), circa early 1950s during the Korean War.

US Navy photo now in the collections of the NARA Seattle.

Tracy White
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024747
149k

Official US Navy Photograph (# USN-707935) of an AD-4 Skyraider of VA-115 landing on USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) on 2 October 1950, after conducting strikes in the Inchon area of North Korea. Looking on are Landing Signal Officers, LT(JG) Floyd K. Lissy and LT(JG) Robert K. McNeil and Assistants Walter R. Evans, AM and Richard E. King, AM.

Robert M. Cieri
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024708
87k

Grumman F9F-2 Panther of Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111) is fueled on the carrier's forward flight deck, during operations off Korea, circa 19 October 1950. At left are Vought F4U-4B Corsair fighter-bombers of Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-420916).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024709
111k

Ordnancemen hauling bombs on the carrier's flight deck, preparing planes for attacks on enemy targets in Korea, circa 19 October 1950. A Douglas AD-4 Skyraider of Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115) is behind them, with small bombs on its wing racks.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-420919).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024710
100k

Grumman F9F-2 Panther (Bureau No. 123438) of Fighter Squadron 112 (VF-112) goes into the crash barrier while returning from a mission over Korea, circa 19 October 1950.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-420958).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024728
88k

Vought F4U-4B Corsair, of Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113) taxies forward on the flight deck of USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), just before taking off to attack North Korean targets, circa 19 October 1950. Note small bombs on the plane's wings and flight deck crewman signalling to the pilot.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-420932).

NHC
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024706
110k National Archives Photo 80-G-439869:  USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) flight deck scene, looking aft from the island, as the carrier is enveloped in a snowstorm off the Korean coast, 15 November 1950.  Planes on deck include Vought F4U-4B Corsair fighters and Douglas AD Skyraider attack planes. Note men on deck, apparently tossing snowballs, and what may be a toppled snowman just in front of the amidships elevator. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024705
99k National Archives Photo 80-G-439871:  USS Philippine Sea (CV-47).  Grumman F9F-2 Panther fighters of Fighter Squadrons 111 and 112 (VF-111 & VF-112) parked on the flight deck, forward, during a snowstorm off the Korean coast, 15 November 1950. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS09051603
132k

Mount Katmai (AE-16) transferring bombs during underway replenishment with Philippine Sea (CV-47) off Korea, 29 November 1950. Note: Crewmen standing in the carrier's forward hangar bay, and Grumman F9F-2 Panther fighters and LeTourneau crane parked on her flight deck. Crewmen on Mount Katmai are wearing cold weather clothing. A few days after this photo was taken, Philippine Sea commenced a period of close-support operations in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir.

US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives (# 80-G-439879).

NHC
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024711
107k

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) moored at Sasebo, Japan, 3 January 1951, with much of her air group spotted on the flight deck. Planes seen include Douglas AD-4 Skyraiders of Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115), Vought F4U-4B Corsairs of Fighter Squadrons 113 and 114 (VF-113 & VF-114) and Grumman F9F-2 Panthers of Fighter Squadrons 111 and 112 (VF-111 & VF-112). Note: Destroyer tender and destroyers in the middle distance, with USS Juneau (CLAA-119) just beyond; LCM-3 landing craft tied to the carrier's stern; and barge and ship's boats alongside her starboard quarter.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439886).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024704
102k National Archives Photo 439890:  General Motors TBM-3E Avenger (Bureau Number 91404) crashes into the barrier while landing on board USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), during operations in the Korean war zone on 17 January 1951. Note: Details of the carrier's island, with a LeTourneau crane parked nearby; splintered wooden decking below the plane; and hydraulic fluid spilling from the plane's port side landing gear leg (seen in the air just below and in front of the tailplane). Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024712
104k

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) moored at Yokosuka, Japan, on 6 February 1951. Note: Large cranes on the shore; harbor tugs at right; and mobile crane on the flight deck of the carrier from which the photo was taken.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439894).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024729
98k

Members of the carrier's Ordnance Department pose with decorated 2000-pound bombs, during Korean War operations, 9 March 1951. Messages painted on the bombs are: "Greetings from PhilCee"; "Happy Easter"; and "Listen! To This One it will Kill you". Among the planes parked in the background are F4U-4Bs of Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439895).

NHC
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024713
85k

Underway at sea, 9 April 1951, while en route to operating areas off Formosa.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439899).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024714
100k

An Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) AD-2 Skyraider taxies forward on the flight deck, during Korean War operations in May 1951.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-439905).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024749
86k

Plane guard helicopter swings in for a landing on USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) after launchings.

(From "All Hands" magazine, May 1951.)

Stanley Svec
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024750
143k

"Preparing for another strike in the Navy's bridge busting campaign in Korea, Panther jet is refueled on flight deck of USS Philippine Sea (CV-47.)"

(From "All Hands" magazine, May 1951.)

Stanley Svec
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024730
107k

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) passes under the Oakland Bay Bridge as she arrives at San Francisco, California, upon her return from the Korean War zone, circa 9 June 1951. Crewmen on the flight deck are spelling out "CVG 2" in honor of her air group.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97322).

NHC
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS016131
113k

USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), USS Barton (DD-722) and USS Iowa (BB-61) operating in the Sea of Japan, off Korea, during replenishment operations. Photo is dated 1 July 1952.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-444887).

NHC
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024745
100k

USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47), from Our Navy magazine, mid-August 1954.

This photo was probably taken in 1954, with Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) aboard.

Stanley Svec
Navasota
NS091910604
111k

Navasota (AO-106) refueling Electra (AKA-4) off her starboard side and Philippine Sea (CVA-47) off her port side, off San Diego in 1954.

Photo by Donald Ravey
USS Electra
Navasota
NS091910605
142k

Navasota (AO-106) refueling Electra (AKA-4) off her starboard side and Philippine Sea (CVA-47) off her port side, off San Diego in 1954.

Photo by Donald Ravey
USS Electra
CVA-47 Philippine Sea
NS024726
64k

USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47) refueling from an unidentified oiler during a WestPac deployment, 1954. Photographed from USS O'Brien (DD-725).

Photo by Roy Thomas
CVA-47 Philippine Sea
NS024748
137k

"Task Force 77, 1954." USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47) off the Philippine Islands with USS Valley Forge (CVS-45) and USS Rochester (CA-124) in the background. Painting by Wayne Scarpaci, 24"x36".

©Wayne Scarpaci
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024715
106k

Operating in the Western Pacific with the Seventh Fleet, 9 July 1955.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-18427).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024716
106k

USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47) makes a sharp turn to starboard, while steaming in the Western Pacific with the Seventh Fleet, 9 July 1955. Photographed by PH1 D.L. Lash.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-18429).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024717
128k

View looking aft from the carrier's island, showing AD and F9F aircraft parked on the flight deck. Photographed on 19 July 1955, while Philippine Sea was operating with the Seventh Fleet. Photographed by PH1 J.E. Cook.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-18466).

Scott Dyben
CV-47 Philippine Sea
NS024707
150k USN Photo K-18468:  USS Platte (AO-24) refueling USS Watts (DD-567) and USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47), while operating with the Seventh Fleet, 19 July 1955. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
CVS-47, 1955-1958
CVS-47 Philippine Sea
NS024731
93k

USS Philippine Sea (CVS-47) underway at sea, with eleven S2F aircraft of Anti-Submarine Squadron 37 (VS-37) flying overhead, July 1958. Six of these aircraft are still painted in the older blue color scheme. Photographed by Everett.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center (photo # NH 97323).

NHC
Patches
CVA-47 Philippine Sea
NS020928
100k

Task Force 77

Richard J. Havener (AT3)
CVA-47 Philippine Sea
NS024746
14k

"Roadrunners," USS Philippine Sea CVS-47.

Joe Radigan

For more photos and information about this ship, see:

USS PHILIPPINE SEA CV-47 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray & Underway Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Crew Contact and Reunion Information
Date:  
Place:  
Contact: USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) Association
Address: PO Box 496412
Port Charlotte, FL 33949
Phone:  
E-mail: philsea@earthlink.net
Web site: http://www.philsea.org
Remarks:  

Related Links
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages By Andrew Toppan.
Official U.S. Navy Carrier Website
Korean Combat Action Reports located on the Naval Historical Center Web Site
USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) Association

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Last update: 7 October 2007