VP-66 Miscellaneous
2008 CALENDAR "...P2V-7 Neptune Interior Photographs. The nose section (JAN, FEB, MAR and APR are from BUNO: 147951. It was in service with VP-7, VP-23, VP-24, VP-45, VP-56, and VP-66..." Contributed by Bob Self bob.self@comcast.net [29JUN2007]
P2V-7 Neptune Interior Photographs
Where did the P2V's go? For those of you who have often wondered it's in the Arizona desert, static displays on various military bases and a few in air museums around the country. Most have been recycled.
In early 2002, I learned there was a group of P2V's in Missoula, MT being used to fight forest fires. I made an appointment to visit Neptune Aviation and found an aircraft they decided not to convert to a water bomber. It sat in the Arizona desert for decades and had been flown to Missoula a few months prior to my visit.
What I found was Buno # 147695. When active in the Navy it was assigned to VP-31. Other than having had the removal of many cockpit instruments and radios, and the obvious deterioration, it had most of the electronic boxes intact. The after station hatch had been left open and some critter had been making a bed in one of the flight deck seats for a long time. In 2006, the interior pictures were retaken for technical reasons. Then, location was made of a restored nose section of a P2V-7 close by, done by the VP-2 Restoration group. That came from Buno # 147951 and served with VP-7, VP-23, VP-24, VP-45, VP-56, and VP-66. Pictures were taken of the Bow, MAD station, and Cockpit, both Pilot and Co-Pilot positions.
The pictures of these two efforts have just been published into a calendar. It can be previewed by logging onto http://www.thelightcatchers.com/. You can now see some authentic pictures that has been circulating in your thoughts for years. Here's your chance to re-live some experiences of when you were in your 20's and bulletproof. By selecting "Samples" at the top, you can then select "P2V-7 Neptune 2008 Calendar" and preview each calendar page by scrolling through pages 1-4 at the lower left of the screen. You can order the calendar on-line by clicking Order Books at the top and following instructions. If you do not want to order on-line, then email me with your name and phone number and I'll call you at a convenient time with additional ordering information.
Bob Self bob.self@comcast.net
MODELs: VP-66 P2V-5 Neptune 1/72 Model Historic Aviation: Made of Philippine mahogany, this 1/72 scale model measures 16" in length and has a wingspan of 17¼". Hand painted and detailed, model comes ready to display on the included mahogany base. .....#0009476 $129.00 [15AUG2001]
MODELs: P2V-7F Neptune - VP66 BUNO: 126371 (Pacific Products Gallery Home) http://www.pacprod.com/cgi-bin/hazelnt.exe?action=serve&item=/planes/am242-ar.htm
SIMULATORs: Description: FS95 Lockheed P3 Orion - Flown by VP-66 Willow Grove (vp66p395.zip) Download: vp66_p3_01_01nov2001.zip WebSite: Simulation http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/flightsim-developers/download.html [01NOV2001]
"VP-66 Summary Page"
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