“Onto the Ramp.” Artwork by Joseph Hirsch.
Lot 3124-3: Paintings of Naval Aviation during World War II: Abbott Collection. #47.
“Caught by the tail like some dripping sea monster, a Navy PBY patrol bomber is hauled from the water up the seaplane ramp at the end of a mission. Beaching these big, flying boats is a precision performance. Beaching crews must first wade out and attach wheel fittings under the hull to permit the plane to be rolled onto the ramp. A towing line is fitted to the tail, and up she comes under the tug of a snorting tractor. ”
The task of hauling the great flying boats and smaller floatplanes from sea to shore was a familiar one for the Navy’s patrol squadrons for over 40 years, encompassing both world wars.
A line of seaplanes on the ramp at Trumbo Point Key West 1918 Monroe County Library
March 1914, shows the south-western waterfront, aircraft launching ramps, and tent hangars, at Naval Aeronautic Station, Pensacola, FL.
P2Y-3 flying boat on-ramp 1930s Earl Potter collection a
P2Y-3 flying boat on-ramp 1930s Earl Potter collection
Hauling a seaplane up the ramp.
VPB-54/VP-54 PBY-5A Catalina coming up the launching ramp note turret Fred C. Dickey, Jr. Collection NHHC