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VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch "...VP-8 1978-1979..." Contributed by WOZNIAK, AE2 Douglas S. (1974-1979) [03OCT2007]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch "...VP-8 1978-1979..." Contributed by WOZNIAK, AE2 Douglas S. (1974-1979) [03OCT2007]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch "...Flash for history..." Contributed by LT Donald W. Hartsell donald.hartsell@navy.mil [08FEB2006]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch "...New patches currently worn in the squadron on the flight jackets and suits..." Contributed by LT Donald W. Hartsell donald.hartsell@navy.mil [07FEB2006]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch "...New patches currently worn in the squadron on the flight jackets and suits..." Contributed by LT Donald W. Hartsell donald.hartsell@navy.mil [07FEB2006]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch "...New patches currently worn in the squadron on the flight jackets and suits..." Contributed by LT Donald W. Hartsell donald.hartsell@navy.mil [07FEB2006]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP History ThumbnailCameraFASRON-8 Patch Naval Aviation News August 1950 "...Naval Aviation News - August 1950..." WebSite: http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1950s/1950/aug50.pdf [21JUL2004]


VP LogosLOGOs: Squadron ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Logo "...Photo from the TailHook Association http://www.tailhook.org/..." Contributed by Mahlon K. Miller mkwsmiller@cox.net [09APR2002]


VP LogosLOGOs: Logo ThumbnailCameraVP-8 "TheThing!" Contributed by Jim Nicholas jcnicholas@email.msn.com [06AUG98]

The Story Behind the VP-8 Logo
by Richard A. Hoffman dickdot@san.rr.com
Captain, USN (Ret)
Commanding Officer VP-8
1966-67
The Slant-Eyed Tiger
When I joined VP-8 in 1965, it had long been known as the "Tiger Squadron", but the Tiger was not reflected in the official squadron insignia. The insignia then used had been adopted in 1962 when VP-8 became the first squadron in the Navy to operate the P3 Orion. This insignia showed a stylized arm clutching a trident, springing from an electronic scope and flanked by lightning bolts (see Zerox of plaque). This insignia was modern, dignified and striking, it had probably been done by the Army Heraldic Service (although it may have been done by Lockheed), and did reflect the mission of the squadron. However, it was difficult to relate to and was known in the squadron as "The Thing". Most of the crew preferred the old squadron logo of King Neptune astride a globe hurling bombs.

The CO, Harry Rich, and I discussed getting a new logo with a tiger theme, but this was no simple task. The subject was extensively covered in an OPNAV instruction. Any proposed revision had to meet the criteria of this instruction: it had to reflect the mission of the squadron, it had to be in good taste, it had to be somewhat timeless and it could not use cartoon characters. Furthermore, any proposed revision had to be approved up the chain-of-command. The first step up our chain-of-command was FAIRWINGSLANT where Captain Creighton Cook was operations officer. It just so happened that Captain Cook had been CO of VP-8 when "The Thing" was adopted. We finally decided that a revision would not be approved by FAIRWINGSLANT, so we dropped the idea of a new insignia.

But the Tiger theme had really grabbed the imagination of the squadron. We had unofficial crew patches with tigers, we had tiger pictures all over the place and even had the aircraft MAD booms painted to resemble a tiger's tail. Our rival squadron on the other side of the hangar said that they had to walk carefully to avoid stepping in tiger doo! It became obvious that we needed a new, tiger-themed insignia.

When I became CO in 1966, I had to put the subject on hold while we readied for our Far East deployment. After we were settled in at Sangley Point, I decided to go for a new insignia. We had an informal contest for the design, and while good ideas turned up, none seemed to meet the criteria of the OPNAV instruction.

Our PAO, LTJG Steve Dansker, was an imaginative and resourcefull young man, so I made him "Officer-in-Charge of New Insignia Design". I said I wanted the tiger as the centerpiece-clutching a submarine to reflect our ASW mission. Steve went from there.

Steve went to the artistic plaque-carver at the Sangley Point Navy Exchange and the two of them worked up a very attractive design: a tiger springing from a cloud-sheathed figure 8 clutching a broken submarine. Considering the source, it was understandable that the tiger had an obvious oriental cast to the eyes! All hands seemed to like it, so I made a formal official submission to have it approved as the new VP-8 insignia.

The squadron had returned to Patuxent River when the submission came back from FAIRWINGSLANT marked "disapproved".

I phoned Captain Cook and pleaded the case for the new insignia. Creighton Cook was one of the most logical and reasonable men I have ever know. Even though "the Thing" was the insignia of his watch, he appreciated the squadron's fascination with the tiger theme and said he would approve the new insignia. It was offically approved by OPNAV in 1967.

Except a world background replacing the original clouds, this basic logo has served VP-8 well now for some thirty years. And I still detect a distinct oriental cast to the tiger's eyes!

UPDATE "...Now you can see a good picture of THE THING that made the crew of VP-8 run to the nearest toilet or puke bag. This was designed by the Army Signal Corps..." Contributed by Beth Perry (E-Mail Removed By Request) NEWSLETTER: "VP-8 Alumni Association" World War II Stories, and more!!! [07NOV2000]

VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Logo ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Logo Insignia approved: 9 July 1979 "...VP (Patrol Squadron) Insignia that have been officially approved by OPNAVINST. 5030.4E..." http://www.history.navy.mil/insignia/vp/vp-i.html [17NOV2000]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Logo ThumbnailCamera

UPDATE "...At this time VP-8 had a nickname which, according to Capt. Creighton Cook, was originally derived from the radio voice call; "Pinstripe". The nickname eventually found its way into the logo, which now shows a tiger reaching out of the sky and breaking a submarine in two. VP-8ers were called the "Tigers" for years, and even had a tradition of this new CO doing the "Tiger Rag" in a tiger suit as part of their change-of-command party. When I joined the squadron in early 1961 in Norfolk, VP-8 was flying the old P2V-5F's(later redesignated SP-2E). Our squadron logo was King Neptune sitting on a globe dropping bombs on a submarine. We were flying as part of Task Group Alfa, and R&D group working on ASW innovative tactical developments. VP-8 had always been a VP/ASW pioneer, and had earlier participated in the development and evaluation of "Julie", and explosive echo ranging technique. Since the new aircraft was to feature improved avionics and a totally new capability in reaching heretofore unreachable spots in the ocean, some wise guy decided to change the logo to something more modern. VP-8 had a contest for a new logo, in which many versions sported a tiger. The one approved by the Bureau, however, was a submission by some Army electronics puke. I doubt that you'll find much record of this logo/period, since we did our level best to hide it. I was not in the squadron when the current tiger logo was approved. Creighton Cook's favorite was painted on all the VP-8 P-3 vertical stabilizers, and consisted of the constellation "Orion" outlined by the stars in the group..." Contributed by Beth Perry (E-Mail Removed By Request) NEWSLETTER: "VP-8 Alumni Association" World War II Stories, and more!!!


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch Circa 1950 [13FEB2000]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch
Books...VP Logo Contributed via "Title: Lockheed P2V Neptune An Illustrated History by Wayne Mutza wmutza@wi.rr.com...A Schiffer Military History Book...ISBN: 0-7643-0151-9...286 pages full of pictures and history!


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch Contributed by Jay Broze vjb2@classic.msn.com


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 "TheThing!" Contributed by Captain Richard A. Hoffman, USN (Ret) dickdot@san.rr.com, Commanding Officer VP-8 1966-1967 [31MAR98]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch Contributed by William T. Larkins wtl@ccnet.com [10SEP98]
Books U.S. Navy Aircraft 1921-1941, U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft 1914-1959: Two Classics in One Volume [Appendix D Squadron Insignia] by William T. Larkins "...Patrol Squadron Eight, in 1933, discarded their old insignia of King Neptune sitting upon a rock in the sea, and in its place substituted the "Flying Eight Ball" inspired by the number of the squadron. In pool, one player strives to pocket balls 1 to 7 before his opponent pockets balls 9 to 15, each player attempting to sink his allotted balls and then the eight ball. If at any time before pocketing all his balls a player should accidently sink the eight ball, the game is lost to him. The significance is that the eight ball is the last to drop and it is dangerous to fool around with that dreaded number, including a squadron. Colors: Black and white with gold wing. VP-8F to VP-24 to VP-12..." [10SEP98]


VP LogosLOGOs: VP-8 Patch ThumbnailCameraVP-8 Patch Contributed by William T. Larkins wtl@ccnet.com [11SEP98]
Books U.S. Navy Aircraft 1921-1941, U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft 1914-1959: Two Classics in One Volume [Appendix D Squadron Insignia] by William T. Larkins "...Patrol Squadron Eight originally adopted an insignia showing King Neptune sitting on a rock, shading his eyes with his right hand as he looks across the sea. This insignia was replaced in 1933 by the Winged 8-Ball. Colors unknown..." [11SEP98]


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