I am currently conducting research on a topic that touches upon the PV2 Neptune.

I am researching the life of my uncle, U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Harry J. Schmitt, and will write and publish a series of articles on him. After completing the Queens College Air Force ROTC program in 1956, Schmitt became a navigator and eventually received assignment to the 98th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Dover Air Force Base. He died on July 17/18, 1958 after ejecting from a Northrop F-89J Scorpion from seven to twenty-two miles east of Cape May, New Jersey. At the time he and the pilot of his jet were in the act of intercepting an unidentified plane. The pilot of my uncle's jet skipped the Scorpion on the surface of the ocean. He did not realize how low he was and so thought the sound he heard when the jet hit the water was the engine blowing up. He ordered my uncle to eject and then tried to eject himself. Although my uncle's ejection seat fired off the pilot's did not. The jet came to a stop in the ocean. The pilot got out, climbed into his raft and was picked up at sea and survived. According to a memoir written by the pilot, the mystery plane that “had penetrated the Air Defense Identification Zone without filing a proper flight plan” was a “Navy P-2V Radar Patrol Plane” flying at a very low altitude.

I hope to discover:

• What variant of the PV2 Neptune the particular plane would have been.


• What squadron the Neptune was a part of and where it was stationed.


• Whether any of those who were members of the squadron in July 1958 are still alive.


• The background story behind how and why the Neptune was flying where it was early that morning. I realize may never be able to do any more than offer informed speculation on this last one. I have a hunch that an Auxiliary, General Intelligence (an AGI) disguised as a fishing trawler might have played a role and know that both Neptunes and fighter interceptors kept an eye on them.

I would appreciate hearing from members of Neptune air crews or anyone knowledgeable about the plane and its history who may be able provide me with information or direct me to any sources or people who may allow me to have any of my questions answered. Please either make a post here or contact me via TWITTER: Patrick Bowmaster or FACEBOOK: Patrick A. Bowmaster if you think you can help.

Thanks so much.

Patrick Bowmaster
TWITTER: Patrick Bowmaster
FACEBOOK: Patrick A. Bowmaster

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   Notice!   
Need VP-49 P-3 Print!

Posted:  January 20th, 2018
Updated:  January 20th, 2018

I was asked if I knew of a Navy squadron who flew from NAS Patuxent River, Maryland in the 60's and 70's with the tailcode "LP." Didn't take long to track you down. I'd like to present a print of a VP-49 P-3 to our friend Linda of Linda's Cafe. Asking for the VP-49 Alumni to forward any Pax River recollections I might include as part of the presentation.

CAPT Craig "Ditch" Lee (VQ-1 / VQ-2 / VPU-1)
craig.e.lee@navy.mil
Vice Commander at Naval Air Warfare Center
Aircraft Division
NAS Patuxent River, Maryland

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   Notice!   
The last of the surviving VPB-120 "Privateers"

Posted:  August 27th, 2017
Updated:  December 7th, 2018

The last of the surviving VPB-120 "Privateers", PB4Y-2 BuNo 59819 is masterfully restored at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona (http://www.pimaair.org/). This aircraft served with VPB-120 from June to December 1945. It is likely that in August 1945, the 59819 flew one of the final battle missions of the WW2 from the Aleutian Island of Shemya to the Japanese Kuril Islands.

We are asking for your help to learn the details of this aircraft’s service with VPB-120. The squadron diaries contain only call codes of all the planes flown in action, but no BuNo's. These call codes were commonly painted on the tails of the PB4Y-2 aircraft (see the photo below). However, the call code is not seen on available photos of the 59819. If you have any photos of VPB-120/VPB-122 aircraft, or the logbooks of their crew members in your possession, please contact us!

Bruce DeWald, USN(R)
bdewald63@gmail.com

Boris Ilchenko
bilchenko@gmail.com
https://www.norpacwar.com/vpb-120

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   Notice!   
P2V Neptune Cockpit Project

Posted:  July 28th, 2014
Updated:  July 28th, 2014

I’m contacting you regarding an opportunity to preserve the cockpit of an P2V Neptune which was acquired by the Southern Utah Air Museum for restoration and display to the public. Unfortunately, after ten years of effort the museum closed its doors in 2009, leaving several restoration projects uncompleted. We are now looking for other interested parties who may be able to carry forward with the effort of restoring these historic nose sections. The cockpits are complete projects with the manuals, panels and instruments needed to put them back into the same condition when they last flew.

Owing to your deep interest in Naval aviation I wanted to contact you and make you aware of the situation and ask if you may know of a museum or individual who might be interested in one of these pieces of aviation history.

Please visit the web site at https://www.facebook.com/Osiris592579/ for images and call Larry Bennett at 435-669-7768, or me at 801-518-1829, for more information.

You may also view our S-2A Tracker project noes section here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/S-2A-Tracker-Firebomber-Cockpit-Project

Thank you for your consideration,

Dexter Francis
dwmfrancis@me.com

"...I am now trying to find a good home for my plane (i.e., museum, etc.)..." [26FEB2016]

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   Notice!   
Shipmate Information Request #26

Posted:  February 20th, 2013
Updated:  June 27th, 2013

OK Shipmates, you came through times already!  You provided information for family members about their fathers and husbands that that Official Channels couldn't provide.  Here is number :

My Father, ATN3 Francisco "Frank" VEGA, was lost during the VP-9 Mishap on April 7th, 1965. I was only 9 months old when he died and have always wanted to know about him. I would like to hear from anyone that may have known my Father. Thank you.

Frank Vega, Jr.
frankvega@ymail.com [20FEB2013]

"...I recently received this e-mail from Steve "Andy" ANDRUSZKEWICZ sgpa2zfmly@aol.com..." Frank Vega, Jr. frankvega@ymail.com [27JUN2013]

I served with your Dad in VP-9 early 1964 at NAS Moffett Field, California. We had just begun the transition from P2V7's to the P-3 Orion.

Frank was a very enthusiastic, intelligent and most of all likeable and personable guy.

I remember a conversation we had, he was telling me how happy he was to be in a squadron as a crewman and how much fun he was having. It was early in his service but I think he was already considering a full 20 to 30 year career.

I left the squadron in August 1964 for Instructor Duty at NAS Memphis, Tennessee.

When I heard about the crash and the details and how Frank died I cried, he was such a vibrant young man.

There is an online VP-9 Website and Roster maintained by BIGLEY, CDR Tom Retired bigleytl@earthlink.net.

Sorry to say, I don't have any photos, but I'll always have that wonderful smiling face in my minds eye. When ever I see Eric Estrada I always think of your Dad.

Respectfully,

Steve "Andy" Andruszkewicz AX1/AC
VP-4 (1961-1963)
VP-9 (1963-1964)
NATTC (1964-1967)
VS-37 (1967-1968)
Ventura, CA

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