LT David McCampbell, Landing Signal Officer, bringing in planes, aboard USS Wasp (CV-7) circa late 1941 or early 1942. McCampbell later became the Navy's top-scoring "ace" in World War II. Behind him is the Assistant Landing Signal Officer, Ensign George E. "Doc" Savage. In the catwalk in the lower center are Len Ford (enlisted man) and LT Hawley Russell. Caption details were provided by CAPT David McCampbell, USN (Ret.), in 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo, now in the collection of the National Archives. Image #80-G-K-687(Color).

USS Wasp (CV-7) off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, on 8 January 1942, following overhaul.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives (# 19-N-27320).

Two more photos also taken at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, after Wasp's December 1941–January 1942 overhaul. She retained her quadruple 1.1"/75 battery (photo NS020714) but most of her 0.50 machine guns were replaced by 20-mm guns and she received a CXAM-1 air-search radar (photo NS020714a).

A Spitfire Mk.Vc being loaded aboard USS Wasp (CV-7) at Port Glasgow, Scotland, in April 1942, at the start of Operation Calender. Note some F4F Wildcat fighters parked on deck, with their wings folded—Wasp carried twelve Wildcats during the two aircraft ferrying missions she carried out with the Royal Navy to augment the dwindling defenses of Malta (Operation Calender, in April, and Operation Bowery, in May 1942).

USN photo, taken from "Skies of Fire," by Alfred Price.

A Spitfire Mk.Vc about to start its take-off run. The aircraft that had taken off ahead of it is visible above its starboard wing. Already the lift is on its way down to the hangar to pick up the next fighter.

USN photo, taken from "Skies of Fire," by Alfred Price.

Official caption from the rear of the photo:

"Neg No. OCR-11886 — U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier Wasp ferries British aircraft to Malta. First photographs showing the carrier en route to the British Mediterranean Stronghold."

"(a) Signalman on the bridge of the Wasp on the alert for any signals from escort ships of approaching enemy ships or planes."

NARA San Francisco. (Photo is dated 3 July 1942, which is obviously wrong, since Wasp ferried aircraft to Malta in April and May, and was already in the Pacific by July. This may be the date the photo was developed, or reprinted, or whatever).

Official caption from the rear of the photo:

"Neg No. OCR-11890 — U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier Wasp ferries British aircraft to Malta. First photographs showing the carrier en route to the British Mediterranean Stronghold."

"(a) Comdr. Dickey, Executive Officer, Flight Lieut. Sly, RAF, and Lieut Sims, RAF, Engineer Officer interview Pilot Officer S.A. Smith, RAF, and examine his Spitfire after he made a successful landing aboard the USS Wasp. Pilot Smith, shortly after his take-off, developed engine trouble and signaled he was returning for a landing. Although the Spitfire has no arresting gear, Pilot Smith managed to land the high speed fighter on the deck of the carrier without mishap—a remarkable feat of flying and coordination with the ship."

[According to DANFS entry for Wasp, Smith accidentally released his drop tank and lacked the range to make it to Malta.]

NARA San Francisco. (Photo is dated 3 July 1942, which is obviously wrong, since Wasp ferried aircraft to Malta in April and May, and was already in the Pacific by July. This may be the date the photo was developed, or reprinted, or whatever).

USS Wasp (CV-7) entering Hampton Roads, Virginia, on 26 May 1942. An escorting destroyer is in the background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-12240).

USS Wasp (CV-7) in port in June 1942, with a motor launch coming alongside. Probably taken in San Diego Harbor, California. Planes on deck, some with wings folded, include SB2U scout bombers and F4F-4 fighters.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-K-447).

Wartime photo. Date and place unknown.

USS Wasp (CV-7) burning and listing after she was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-19, on 15 September 1942, while operating in the Southwestern Pacific in support of forces on Guadalcanal.

USS O'Brien (DD-415) is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-19 during the Guadalcanal Campaign, 15 September 1942. USS Wasp (CV-7), torpedoed a few minutes earlier, is burning in the left distance. O'Brien was hit in the extreme bow, but "whipping" from the torpedo explosion caused serious damage to her hull amidships, leading to her loss on 19 October 1942, while she was en route back to the United States for repairs.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-457818).

Model of USS Wasp (CV-7), on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008.