VX-2

Operational Development Squadron 2 (VX-2)
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This page is under construction. It will contain information about US Navy JD-1 Invaders assigned to Operational Development Squadron 2 (VX-2).

History

This squadron has not been included in any previous discussion of Navy JD-1s. However, they did have a limited number of JD-1s. There are several photos of a single JD-1 that was assigned to this unit, and the Navy records confirm that the unit had at least 1 JD-1 assigned to it in 1956. Additional details will be added as the historical record is further analyzed.

The squadron was established on 15 Jun 1945 as XVJ-25 - Experimental Utility Squadron 25. The initial base was NAS Brunswick, ME. In late 1945 or early 1946 the squadron was moved to NAS Atlantic City.
On 7 Mar 1946 the squadron was re-designated VJ-20 - Utility Squadron 20.
On 15 Mar 1946 the squadron was re-designated again as VX-2 - Drone Controller/Guided Missile Development Squadron 2.
By 1956 it was named the Operational Development Squadron 2.

Planes

US Navy Buoy Number	USAF S/N	Date In	Date Out	Comments
77140		Oct 1945	Apr 1946	Sent to Overhaul & Repair Facility Norfolk.
77142		Oct 1945	Jun 1946	Sent to Overhaul & Repair Facility Norfolk
77143		Oct 1945	May 1946	Sent to Overhaul & Repair Facility Norfolk.
77144		Oct 1945	Apr 1946	Sent to Overhaul & Repair Facility Norfolk.
77145		Oct 1945	Apr 1946	Sent to Overhaul & Repair Facility Norfolk.
77146		16 Apr 1946	Nov 1946	Assigned to Operation Pool with VU-4.
77147		16 Apr 1946	Nov 1946	Assigned to Operational Pool with VU-4.
77149		Jun 1946	Nov 1946	Sent to VU-4.
77208				XB-3

Photos

Some context is needed around these photos, below. The BuNos on these planes match, so we know that they are the same plane, however, they are from different times. The first photo is the earliest one and is known to be taken sometime between 7 Nov 1946 and 2 Jan 1947. We know this definitively because the JD-1s weren't operationally assigned to units until after that date, with the exception of the two XJD-1s. And, on 2 Jan 1947 the US Naval Insignia changed to include the red stripe - the same as the newly-created US Air Force. Also, in that same memorandum it was ordered the the two letter tail code be painted on both sides of the vertical stabilizer. Since the second photo has both the red stripe in the national insignia and the prominent 2 letter tail code, we know that the second picture was taken after 2 Jan 1947. In 1965 there is a single JD-1 assigned to this squadron, but I do not know at this time if it is the same plane pictured here or a separate plane as this plane would have been with the squadron for more than 9 years by that point.