Trying to trace/contact an ex-RN Pilot

[alloydog]

Would anyone be able to me? I know it's a long shot, but I would like to get in touch with an ex-Royal Navy pilot. I'm neither a pilot nor very professional, so don't really know where to start... I did "Google" for things like royal navy pilot association but didn't find anything useful.

I only have bloke's surname: Chaplin, and that he was a Lieutenant in 1977. I am hoping he can help me with some research for my web site about the US Navy fighter squadron, VF 191 (link: http://www.satans-kittens.net (http://www.satans-kittens.net/)).

I have been requesting Command History reports for the squadron over the time it was active, but for the mid to late seventies, it seems the reports were not filed or lost. I have been trying get info from related sources, such as the carriers and Naval air stations.

I was going through some old Command History reports for the USS Coral Sea (CV 43) for 1977, I saw a reference to Lt Chaplin. It lists the number of arrested landings for the year and says that on 5 May 1977, Lt Chaplin RN flying with VF 191 made the 267,000th arrested landing. There was just a single-line footnote that he was part of a "Fleet exchange".

It would be interesting if I could get some sort recollection from Lt Chaplin about his time with VF 191 - If I can contact him, that is...

thanks & best regards

Rob

[Floppy Link]

You were so close....

Try googling "Fleet Air Arm Association"

They might be able to help.

[alloydog]

First hit! :)

Many thanks.

Rob

[earswentpop]

Shouldn't that be "Fleet Air Finger Association" these days?

[alloydog]

I think you can drop both the Air and Arm bits days... :*

[tubby linton]

This is where I would try first:
Fleet Air Arm Officers Association, FAAOA (http://www.fleetairarmoa.org)
..and if that doesn't produce what you are looking for then look here:
ARNO - Home Page (http://www.arno.org.uk/)

[Union Jack]

This is where I would try first:

..... and I would suggest adding the initial "P".

Jack

[alloydog]

Thanks Gents,
A first name which starts with a P has been suggested by, PM.

I'll chase up those links.

I sort of boo-booed with the original post. He was aboard the USS Coral Sea CV-43, not the Oriskany...

[alloydog]

Was checking the visitor stats for my website - A big "Hello!" to whoever's from Colchester, my home town (though I haven't been back there, or the UK, for over 11 years...)

[Lordflasheart]

Alloydog - pm sent. LFH

[alloydog]

Thanks for the help gents. I mailed the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association, and they passed on my message. He has contacted me.

Many thanks!

Rob