Kear Saga 1957-1958 West Pacific Cruise Book USS Kearsarge CVA-33

by Kirk Hilliard

$125 · Offered by eBay

Up for sale is an exceptional original 1957–1958 West Pacific Cruise Book ("KearSaga") for the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CVA-33), published following her major SCB-125 angled-deck modernization at Bremerton. ​This volume is notably richer than standard military cruise books, functioning as both an operational naval flight log and a high-grade 1950s historical and photojournalistic record. ​Key Content & Historical Highlights ​1957–1958 World News Reel: Features original photo coverage of Sputnik 2 & Laika the Space Dog, the Vanguard TV3 launch failure, Explorer 1, the Little Rock Central High integration crisis, and Jayne Mansfield. ​Hong Kong Photo Folio: Features detailed color and B&W photography of the historic Tiger Balm Gardens (Aw Boon Haw Gardens), Aberdeen Floating Village sampans, Victoria Peak harbor views, and colonial street life. ​Japan & Hiroshima Section: Includes photography of post-war Hiroshima (Atomic Bomb Dome), Miyajima Floating Torii Gate, Kintai Bridge, and Kyoto historical landmarks. ​Naval Aviation & Casualty Memorial: Includes a dedicated in-memoriam roster page for fallen aviators (squadrons VF-194, VA-96, VF-53), full crew/officer rosters, and flight deck jet operations under Captain Ward Thornton Shields. ​Condition Hardcover in solid vintage condition. Embossed black cloth boards remain clean with sharp gilt cover lettering; interior pages are complete, clean, and tight with zero loose pages or structural spine splits. ​1957-1958 USS Kears

• Publisher: USS Kearsarge
• Year: 1958
• Condition: Very Good

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