I am a former Naval Aircrew and Rescue Swimmer. I mostly flew in the SH-3H Sea King with HS-12, attached to the USS Midway (CV-41) airwing. I was on Midway from 1984-1991.  I also flew combat missions during Desert Storm, when HS-12 sent out a detachment to USS Leftwich. I served in the United States Navy for 13 years, and got out as an AW1. I now work for U.S. Customs & Border Protection. I am currently a Program Manager at HQ in Washington, DC. (Foreign bidders; do not even think about asking me to falsify a customs declaration).

I am an avid collector and preserver of Naval Aviation footage. I do sometimes create videos for sale (from my personal collection of films that are in the 'public' side of my library) in order to obtain more footage (every dime I make goes right back into my collection). This passion began when the son of a Korean War veteran told me that after his Dad died, he decided to throw away all those "old 8mm home movies of planes flying off of a flight deck." Yes, I cried!!

I have many projects in work, so keep an eye out for other auctions. Every dime made is put back into my efforts to obtain and preserve our Naval Aviation heritage.

If you have 8mm or 16mm home movies, or photographic slides, of Naval Aviation or anything Navy, and can't afford to have the them properly converted to digital, contact me. I frequently convert the film and slides of fellow veterans free of charge. I would rather convert these films free of charge than hear horror stories of these films being thrown away, or simply sitting in an attic rotting away.

And what the heck, I will even convert films from Air Force, Marine and Army veterans as well, time permitting!! I have never charged a fellow veteran for converting these films.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

I have a large amount 8mm and 16mm Naval Aviation films. While the vast majority are in my private collection, below is a list of those that I have converted to digital and am offering for sale.  (GRS Videos (TM) holds copyrights on all home movies offered as well as all dirivetive works):

USS MIDWAY (CVA-41): 1954 Med Cruise. Very cool 8mm film. Shows great views of flight operation with Cougars and Banshees, while the Midway was a straight deck carrier, and before the mirror landing system. This color footage is perhaps the best amateur footage of USS Midway from the early 1950s that I have ever seen, and was filmed by a member of VF-33.  Plus, over 190 color 35mm slides made into two slide shows; one of pictures taken on, of and around the ship, and the other consisting of liberty shots while visiting various Med ports. These slides were also taken during the same 1954 med Cruise. Film length, 15 minutes; ship slide show (110 slides), 12 minutes; liberty slide show (84 slides), 10 min; total DVD running time is approximately 35 minutes.(NOW AVAILABLE)

USS MIDWAY (CVA-41): Great footage of the Midway from 1957-1959, as filmed by a flight deck crewman. Starts with scenes while still in the Bremerton yards, including large scaffolding around the island. Then out to sea for the first time after the yard period, with closeups of test firing the waist cat. Also has great flight deck scenes and footage of flight operations. Quite an interesting batch of aircraft, including Demons and Furys. Includes about 1.5 minutes of footage from Hancock, when he went over there for a short TDY. Some of the best scenes are A-3Ds making some pretty hairy landings during the 1958 Quemoy Incident. Ends with liberty scenes, including Hong Kong. Over 20 minutes running time. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS BEALE (DD/DDE-471): This DVD is my salute to the Black Shoe Navy. About 1200' of footage filmed aboard the USS Beale in the mid to late 1950s. Footage includes shots of the ship underway, filmed from the bridge (this segment really reminds me why I love aviation so much!!), some real cool weapons scenes, including torpedo launches, cannon shots, and what I think are hedge hogs. The torpedos are launched against some rocks, and you will see them explode. A lot of liberty scenes as well. Filmed during a Med Cruise. Also shots of the officers up on the bow in dress whites, and other crewmembers throughout. About 1 hour running time. My favorite part is a gunnery excercise, involving several ships that part of a carrier screen (can't identify the carrier). All the ships fire their weapons, and create a giant "T" in the sky. Pretty cool. (NOW AVAILABLE)

VP-48 1955 DEPLOYMENT TO IWAKUNI, JAPAN: Okay, not an aircraft carrier, but just as cool: This is footage of the P5M-1 Marlin flying boat. Great formation scenes with other Marlins, scenes around town in Iwakuni, the flying boats in the water, interior shots, etc. When those pilots called 'feet wet", they wern't kidding!! (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31): 1970 WESTPAC, which was the last cruise for this fighting ship. Nearly an hour, footage consists of UNREPS, liberty scenes, scenes from around the flight deck, and flight operations. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS BATAAN (CVL-29): This is footage from the 1950 Far East cuise during the Korean War. This is my first CVL footage (from the original 8mm films). This footage includes flight operations, UNREPS and liberty scenes in Japan (Tokyo area). This is great footage that will be enjoyed by the CVL veterans (and you guys thought I forgot about you!!). (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS MONTEREY (CVL-26): My second CVL footage is a real treat, as it is 16mm home movies filmed on Kodachrome, which is probably the finest film ever made. Zero color loss. This is from 1953, and is mostly flight operations, including yellow Texans, and what I am sure are F6F Hellcats. Due to the high film quality, this film looks like it was made yesterday. (SOON AVAILABLE)

USS KEARSARGE (CVS-33): 1969 WestPac off Vietnam. This was the last cruise for the Kearsarge. This footage was filmed by a pilot from VS-29. This film has good footage of the SH-3A Sea King (HS-6), The S-2E Tracker (VS-22 & VS-29), and the E-1B Tracer (VAW-111, DET 33).  Includes flight ops, liberty scenes, UNREPS, and scenes about the flight deck. Also has something a bit unique, a bright yellow S-2 (maybe a C-1) launching. This thing is painted bright yellow from the nose to the tail. I have never seen that before. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS AMERICA (CV-66): PLAT Video of flight operations, both day and night. This was filmed on 10/6/1993. 2-disk set, one for day operations, one for night operations. Each disk runs 45 minutes. Set to classical music. This is very good quality PLAT video. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS MIDWAY (CV-41): 1988 footage, featuring Harriers doing carrier quals (with the airwing also embarked). The sound of the jets is captured, and not ruined by a cheesy music sound track. Also, we go flying with an E-2C Hawkeye, and even fly in formation with the entire air wing during an air show fly-by. Also see a touch and go and one trap as filmed from the cockpit. We then move to the LSO patform, and watch a few E-2C traps. The DVD ends with a pitch for Navy Relief that was produced by KMID-TV. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS RANDOLPH (CV-15): 1955 16mm COLOR home movies of flight operations footage and 1958 8mm home movies of flight operations. Both filmed during Med Cruises. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS HANCOCK (CVA-19): OVER 1200 feet of 8MM home movie from the 1971 WESTPAC. Perhaps the best documented cruise, including port visits, I have seen. A special feature of this footage is the care that the photographer took to capture the entire launch sequence, with detailed views of the cat officer, cat operator, close ups of the pilots, cat crew hooking up the aircraft to the cat, etc. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS HANCOCK (CVA-19): 8mm home movies from the 1964 cruise. Flight operations, UNREPS and liberty scenes. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS PRINCETON (CV-37): This is awesome color 16MM home movie from 1947. This has great flight operations, and fantastic formation fly-bys.

Navy film: HOOK DOWN, WHEELS DOWN: From the original color 16MM films. If you are interested in the U.S. Navy, WWII, and aircraft carrier aviation, this film is a must-have. This is the famous documentary "Hook Down Wheels Down" produced by the U.S. Navy in honor of the anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Featuring interviews with WWII veterans including Wade McClusky who led the dive bombing attack at Midway, this huge (almost an hour long — usually issued on two reels!) film is exceptional. IT was also one of THE MOST expensive promotional / educational films every made by the U.S. Navy. This DVD contains the entire film, parts 1 & 2. This film covers the U.S. Navy's early carriers and their air groups, including those of the Langley, Saratoga, Lexington, Wasp and Hornet. It features rare footage of Grumman's Wildcat fighter, the TBD-1 Devastator, the Avenger, and the Battles of Midway and Coral Sea. (NOW AVAILABLE)

Navy Film DOWN TO THE WIRE: From the original color 16MM film, this Navy produced training film / documentary follows a group of Naval Aviation Cadets as they prepare to make their first ever carrier landings. This film has great footage of the T-28 doing field work, formation flying and operating on USS Lexington (CVT-16). It also shows intimate footage of the young, fledgling Naval Aviators, as the nervously discuss the upcoming carrier qualification. A great film for any Naval Aviation fan, and a must have for anyone who ever walked in those shoes! (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS TARAWA (CVS-40): A hard to find carrier. Filmed sometime between 1955 and 1959.

USS ORISKINY (CVA-34): Home movies (8MM) from 1954 cruise. This is great footage. The footage also includes several mishaps. Also, the camera owner gave the camera to a HOS-3 helicopter crewman, so you will also see great aerial views of the ship and flight operations. Highlighted by excellent narration by the fellow who filmed the footage. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS ORISKINY (CVA-34): 8MM home movies from her 1967 Vietnam Combat Cruise. This 20+ minute film is mostly flight operations, with a few UNREPS. No liberty scenes, etc. This film is all underway! A great look at a carrier at war during the Vietnam War. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS WASP (CVA-18): Home movie (8MM) from 1953 world cruise. Ship leaves Mayport, FL, and eventually arrives in San Diego, CA. Footage also includes the Suez Canal, and excellent scenes from the Line Crossing Ceremony (see those nasty Wogs loose their slime!!).

USS HORNET (CVS-12): Outstanding 8MM home movie footage from the 1967 Tonkin Gulf deployment. If you are a Hornet or CVS vet, you will love this footage. Includes lots of footage of mighty and majestic SH-3D Sea Kings (Real Airplane), as well as S-2F Trackers (Stoofs) and E-1 Tracers (Willy Fudds or Stoof with a Roof). (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS SARATOGA (CVA-60): 8mm home movie of her 1956-1958 Med Cruise. Great footage of flight deck operations and UNREPS. This was filmed by a Marine from the MARDET, so it includes some pretty unique looks into the life of a MARDET Marine. However, it also has a lot of great flight operations! (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS MIDWAY (CVB-41): ATTENTION MIDWAY FANS; I just acquired a documentary, filmed on the USS Midway in 1948, titled 'Onboard the Flattop Midway'. It is an awesome look at the Midway in the first 3 years of her life. Features F8F Bearcats. This DVD will also include PLAT video of flight operations from 1989, which shows her final airwing configuration, and a look into her last three years of service.  (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43): 8MM home movie filmed during the 1964-65 Tonkin Gulf cruise (the beginning of the Vietnam War. Great scenes of an UNREP bringing on weapons, as well as very goor scenes of flight operations. The person who filmed this, a pilot, and took the camera flying during an actual combat strike against North Vietnam. Also scenes filmed in a ready room. A great movie. (NOW AVAILABLE)

"FLIGHT DECK" FILMED ON USS FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT (CVA-42: The film "Flight Deck" is a Navy documentary that was filmed entirely onboard the FDR. This is one of the very best Navy documentaries of carrier life I have ever seen. It was filmed in 1964 during the Med Cruise. From the original B&W 16mm film. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT (CVA-42): 8MM home movie filmed of FDR by a pilot from VF-74 'Bedevilers', flying the F4D Sky Ray during the 1957-8 Med Cruise. This has great footage of the F4D. So, not just a great FDR film, also a wonderful F4D film for fans of the Sky Ray! (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT (CVA-42): 8MM home movie filmed on FDR by a pilot during the 1966 Tonkin Gulf deployment. Great footage of UNREPS, flying, flight deck operations, planes flying around the FDR, as well as a CVS carrier that pulls alongside and then in fron of the FDR. You can see S-2F trackers launching from the CVS. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS AMERICA (CVA-66): FANTASTIC 8mm home movie filmed during the 1965-1966 Med Cruise. This footage was filmed by a sailor who also flew as a crewman in the EA-1F, so you will also see some great aerial views. Also has footage of the CODs launching with the wounded from USS Liberty, after she was attacked by Israeli naval forces. Has excellent footage of flight operations, and scenes around the flight deck. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS KITTY HAWK (CVA-63): 8mm home movie from the 1966-1967 Vietnam WestPac. This was filmed by a F-4 RIO. (FUTURE PRODUCTION)

A Point In Time:  This DVD contains contains the original U.S. Navy DOCUMENTARY film titled, "A Point In Time". This film documents several works of art produced by Naval Combat Artists (you read right. Combat Artists, not photographers).   The viewer goes along with the artist to various 'points in time', from flight deck action on carriers, to riding as a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in F-4 Phantoms during ground strike missions, to deploying with a Navy SEAL platoon, to riding along during combat operation in the Mekong Delta, as well as other 'points in time'. This film is a very unique look into the Vietnam War, and how it was chronicled by Combat Artists. This is a fairly uncommon film that will be greatly enjoyed by any Vietnam War Veteran. 15 minutes running time. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS MIDWAY (CV-41) 1984-85 PLAT flight operations and mishaps. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS MIDWAY (CV-41) KMID-TV productions. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS INTREPID (CVA-11) 1956 flight deck operations and 1961 Med Cruise. (NOW AVAILABLE) 

USS INTREPID (CVA-11) 1959 Med Cruise, which includes fantastic footage of flight operations, including the F11F Tiger and F4D Skyray. (NOW AVAILABLE)    

USS INTREPID (CVA-11) 1957 NATO Cruise Many aircraft types. A definate transition period in Naval Aviation. Also, SEVERAL other ships and carriers. Filmed by a pilot, and includes some aerial scenes as well.     

USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-14) 1964 WESTPAC, including flight operations against Vietnam during the Tonkin Gulf Incident. Very rare and unique home video of a very significant moment in U.S. history. (NOW AVAILABLE) 

USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-14): 8MM footage from 1963-64 WESTPAC.

USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-14) 1968 WESTPAC. Includes flight operations, UNREPS and gunnery excercises. Also about 200 slides of fantastic pictures taken during the cruise. (IN PRODUCTION)

Desert Storm combat footage. Filmed by HS-12 crewman. (NOW AVAILABLE)

PLAT crash and mishap video, currently with 250 carrier mishaps and near mishaps. 2 Disk Set. (NOW AVAILABLE)

US Navy ASW training films "Goblin on the Doorstep" and "To Catch a Shadow".  From the original 16mm films. Both movies are in near perfect condition video and sound wise. Goblin takes place in 1963 and features the USS Randolph (CVS-15) and Shadow takes place in 1966 and features the USS Yorktown (CVS-10). (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS Forrestal (CV-59) 1957 Med Cruise, as well as USS Forrestal (CV-59) flight operations from 1950s. including the VERY FIRST carrier quals for the A3D, which took place on USS Forrestal in 1956. USS Valley Forge (CV-45) flight operations, 1955. A3D in-flight formation flying footage and A3J chase hop. N3N flying boat footage, including shots from the air.  This DVD will contain all the footage I obtained from a retired Naval Aviator. (NOW AVAILABLE)

USS Ranger (CV-61) PLAT flight operations and mishaps. This is for the Ranger veteran! Nearly 2 hours of flight operations and Ranger mishaps.

Japanese Naval Aviation operations. Incredible footage from Japanese aircraft carriers, as well as shore bases. Fantastic footage of Japanese carriers and aircraft. From the original 16mm films (SOON AVAILABLE).

I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO PRODUCE A SPECIAL DVD WITH ANY OF THE FOOTAGE I HAVE. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT (SUCH A MIX OF DIFFERENT CARRIERS) JUST CONTACT ME WITH WHAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, AND I AM SURE WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT.  ALSO, I HAVE OTHER FOOTAGE IN MY LIBRARY THAT I AM NOT LISTING ON EBAY. JUST ASK!!

If you have original Naval Aviation footage, please contact me at: PLAT_Collector@verizon.net  I will gladly trade whatever I have that you are interested. I can't emphasize strongly enough that I am simply a veteran of Naval Aviation who is dedicated to the preservation of Naval Aviation footage, especally home video filmed onboard carriers. I do not want any more of this footage thrown away by family members who simply have no interest in this material!!  Also, I will purchase if required. I only sell to recoup the expenses of obtaining and preserving this footage.  I only offer donated titles for sale if I have the permission of whomever donates the material. 

Best Regards,

Gary R Schreffler

GRS Videos TM