Tails of the Lockheed P2V Neptune

Tails of the Lockheed P2V Neptune Unqualified Nam Dog Walker

Just another GHOST!Built at Vega/Burbank in February 1948, 39364 becomes the 46th of 50 total P2V-2s assembled by Lockhe...
01/03/2026

Just another GHOST!

Built at Vega/Burbank in February 1948, 39364 becomes the 46th of 50 total P2V-2s assembled by Lockheed under contract NOa(s)5247. The 122- series, also P2V-2 under a new contract, was already becoming present on the line – 122438 was nearly complete.
I need to thank Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola for the AHC. And, I need to thank Wayne Mutza for the only production data that is available.
She was given serial number 126-1064 under contract number NOa(s)5247, model number 126-52-02.
She was taken-on-charge on 26 February 1948 at Burbank. Her first assignment was to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia [Chambers Field], but I’m not sure that she ever got there. All she shows is “pool” at FASRON 3. Her first “real” assignment might be April 1948 to VP-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. She remained there through April 1950. On 13 April 1950 she was consigned to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda were she remained on the line through October 1950. On 27 October she returned to FASRON 112 at Whidbey Island. On 5 January 1951 she was transferred to VP-931 at Whidbey Island. She pulled a TDY to Naval Air Station Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, in May 1951 and to Naval Air Station Kodiak, Kodiak, Alaska, February 1952. In September of 1952 she was transferred to FASRON 112 and then to VP-921. In October, she was consigned to O&R/M&S Alameda through May 1953. In June of 1963 she gets reassigned to VP-11 at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, where she remains through November. On the 4th of December, she is transferred to VP-21 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Patuxent, Maryland. On 1 February 1954, she is moved to FASRON 109, then to VP-16 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida. On 19 October, she is reassigned to FASRON 121 at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Chincoteague, Chincoteague Island, Virginia, and at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Ceiba, Puerto Rico. In January 1955, she is checked in at FASRON 109 at Jacksonville. From February through October 1955, she gets reassigned to NAATC Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Yoder, Kansas – a school room. She stays at Yoder until December when she’s consigned to O&R Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas. On 17 August of 1966 she’s confined to Nava Air Facility Litchfield, Goodyear, Arizona. Finally, on 11 March 1959, she is “struck-off-charge” at Litchfield with 3,826 hours on the meter.
She doesn’t show anywhere else, but that also means that there’s no “crash n’ crunch” to report.
It isn’t unusual for Professor Joe (RIP) not to have any tidbits on these ships, and it’s only Wayne Mutza that has production details.
The assignment map is telling of these final NOa(s)5247 units. If you’ve got more, please contribute. Flaps up!
Photos:
P2V-2 ghost blueprints net
Norfolk Naval Station Norfolk Viginia cityseeker net
Assignment Map google maps

Just another GHOST!39363 made history by being the 45th of the 50-total 126-52-02s - the -2s – Lockheed Neptune produce...
12/17/2025

Just another GHOST!

39363 made history by being the 45th of the 50-total 126-52-02s - the -2s – Lockheed Neptune produced from their Vega/Burbank plant. In February 1948, the employees of Vega/Burbank knew that the -2s were cancelled and coming to the end of their production run. They also knew that the -3s and-3Ws meant 80-or-so to be built. They also watched as the Russians took control of the Czechoslovak government. 1948 was another tumultuous year.
A very few to thank: Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum for the AHC, Simon Beck for the -3 production specs, and Wayne Mutza for the basic build specification.
39363, with serial number 126-1063, was taken-on-charge by the US Navy on 25 February 1948. She was produced under contract number NOa(s)-5247. During February 1948, she was assigned to VP-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. She remained on station through April 1950. On 4 April, she was dispatched to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda where she remained through August 1950. On 29 August, she was transferred to FASRON 112 at Whidbey Island. Staying at Whidbey Island, she was re-assigned VP-812. From November 1950 until May of 1951, she was TDY with VP-812 to Naval Station Kodiak, Kodiak, Alaska. She came back to Whidbey Island through September 1952, but this time to VP-913. On 6 September, she transferred back to FASRON 112, but this time to VP-931 at Whidbey Island. On 5 January 1953, she was sent to O&R/M&S Alameda through May 1953.
Then off to the east coast – she transferred 0n the 15th of May 1953 to VP-5 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida, with a June TDY to Argentia. On 14 of August, she rolled over to VP-8 at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, North Kingstown, Rhode Island. She stayed in inventory through April of 1954. On April 7th, she became the property of FASRON 101 at Quonset Point. In November of 1955 she was sent to O&R/M&S at NAS Jacksonville. On 7 February 1956 she was sent on to O&R/M&S NAS Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas. Not a permanent feature, she was dispatched to storage at NAF Litchfield, Goodyear, Arizona, on 4 June 1956. Why she lingered so is beyond record, but she finally was struck-off-charge and reclaimed on 3 November 1959 with 3,835 hours.
No ”crash n’ crunch” for this ship anywhere, and she doesn’t show up in any other sites. Flaps up!
Photos:
P2V-2 ghost blueprints net
NAS Quonset Point RI USN unk-date
NAF Litchfield Park flkr

A GHOST!39362 finished production at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant in February 1948. With serial number 126-1062 under N...
12/12/2025

A GHOST!

39362 finished production at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant in February 1948. With serial number 126-1062 under NOa(s)-5247, she was the 44th of 50-total 126-52-02s, 7th from the last of the -2s to be produced.
Got’a thank Pam Thomas of NNAM’s library division for the AHS, the Blackbushe ProBoards gang for their citation of our bird, the Marco Dirkx~Joe Baugher’s Serial Number Lists [net], and Wayne Mutza (Lockheed P2V Neptune © 1996 Schiffer) for his production info.
On 18 February, she was taken-on-charge by the US Navy. She moved immediately to VP-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. She remained at Whidbey Island through April 1950 when she was transferred to FASRON 112. In May of 1950 she was dispatched to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda where she stayed through January 1951. On2 February 1951 she was dispatched to O&R/M&S Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Davisville, Rhode Island. On 13 February, she was reassigned to FASRON 109 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida. It wasn’t until 1 May 1952 that she was assigned to VP-741 at Jacksonville. She remained in service there until February 1953. She was then assigned to O&R/M&S Jacksonville through April. She left Jacksonville for a TDY with VP-16 to Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco. She returned on 3 August 1953. It wasn’t until October of 1954 that she showed up, again TDY, FASRON 121 to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Chincoteague, Chincoteague Island, Virginia. She pulls another deployment to Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Ceiba, Puerto Rico, as FASRON 121 on 1 July 1955, returning to Jacksonville. I can’t find any photo of Blackbushe from either the 1954 or 1955 citing.
On 24 February 1955, she is reassigned to NAATC Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Yoder, Kansas. She remains at Yoder, Kansas, until January 1956. She finally ends up, struck-off-charge and reclaimed at NAF Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Horsham Township, Pennsylvania. With 4,651 hours on the meter . . . she’s toast. No “crash n’ crunch!”
I’ve looked far n’ wide – but I can’t find at explanation for “HH-8” [Blackbushe] or a “W” [Mutza] tail marker. You know what I know . . . please share what info or pics you’ve got. Flaps up!
Photos:
P2V-2 ghost blueprints net
Roosevelt Roads NAS Ceiba PR PD wiki net
NAS Willow Grove Horsham Township PA fliker

Just another GHOST . . . maybe!39361, with serial number 126-1061, completed assembly at Burbank/Vega in February 1948. ...
11/29/2025

Just another GHOST . . . maybe!

39361, with serial number 126-1061, completed assembly at Burbank/Vega in February 1948. Lockheed had nearly finished the -2 line, leaving the P2V-2 126-52-02 with only eight (8) of the -2s left.
Got’a thank Pam Thomas of the National Naval Air Museum (12-17-24) and Wayne Mutza – Lockheed P2V Neptune © 1996 Schiffer – for any reference whatsoever. This is ship number 61 of a total of 68 of these birds.
On 23 February 1948 she left Burbank under contract NOa(s)5247, taken-on-charge. She went to VP-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. On 6 April 1950, she was transferred to FASRON 112 at Whidbey Island. On 21 April 1950, she was dispatched to depot at O&R/M&S at Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda through October. On 28 October 1950, she returned to FASRON 112 at Whidbey Island, only to be transferred to VP-931 at Whidbey Island through January 1952. On 5 January 1952, she pulled a TDY to Naval Air Station /Naval Base Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, returning on 7 January. On the 2 through 5 February 1952, she pulled a TDY to Naval Station Kodiak, Kodiak, Alaska. On 5 September 1952 she was transferred to FASRON 112 at Whidbey Island through May 1953. On 1 May 1953 she returned to depot at Alameda through October. On 9 October 1953 she was reassigned to ATU-601 at Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Yoder, Kansas through September. This is where I got the photo via Mahlon K. Miller, 1955-56, Corpus Christi, Tailhook/VPNavy. On September 1955, she was dispatched to depot at NAS Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas, returning to Hutchinson in July 1956. In 2 April 1958, she returned to depot at Corpus Christi. In 12 June 1958, she was consigned to storage at NAF Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Arizona, through November. On 6 November 1958, she was struck-off-charge at Litchfield – possibly salvaged. At this point, she is “off-paper.”
She may have been lost to the doldrums of the cold war, but she served without question – ten years and eight months – a served her crewmembers well as there is no “crash n’ cruch” for this ship.
If you’ve got anything, photo or info, please share. Flaps up!
Photos:
Unk HW-19 601-614 Corpus Christi 1955-56 via Mahlon K. Miller tailhook/vpnavy
NAS Hutchinson patch via memberstripod net
Hutchinson Naval Air Station x Steve Harmon 1950-60s Hutchinson

Almost a GHOST!39360, the 60th P2V presented in the Tails Series, with serial number 126-1060, completed assembly at Loc...
11/02/2025

Almost a GHOST!

39360, the 60th P2V presented in the Tails Series, with serial number 126-1060, completed assembly at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant as the 42nd of 50 total standard production P2V-2s, model 126-52-02.
Folks to thank for history n’ heritage: Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum for the AHCs; Clay Jansson for his 1949 photo of our ship at Corpus Christi [Squadron-Signal Aircraft No 68]; Wayne Mutza for production verification [Lockheed P2V Neptune © 1996 Schiffer]; and Mahlon K. Miller for sharing a c.1956 shot of ATU-614 ships [possibly including our bird] at Hutchinson, Kansas [tailhook~vpNavy net].
Produced under US Navy contract NOa(s)5247, 39360 was taken-on-charge on 30 January 1948. The following month – February – she was consigned to VP-ML-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. On 12 April 1950, she was transferred to VP-4 at Whidbey Island. On 7 June she was reassigned to FASRON 112 at Whidbey Island then to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda through December. On New Years Day 1951, our ship was reassigned to NATC R&D at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Patuxent, Maryland, remaining on station through January 1952. On 2 February 1952, she was relocated to O&R/M&S Naval Air Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia, on line through November 1953. On 9 December 1953, she returned to O&R/M&S, Alameda, consigned through April 1954. On 15 April, she was dispatched to O&R/M&S A/O ATU-601 at NAS Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas. On 28 April 1954, 39360 was reassigned to ATU-614 at Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Yoder, Kansas, remaining in inventory through July. On 1 July, she was reassigned to NAATC at Hutchinson through May 1956. On 2 May 1956, she was consigned to storage at NAF Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Arizona, through November 1959. Her final breath came on 3 November 1959 when she was stricken at Litchfield Park with 2,905 hours on the meter!
If there’s good news . . . she doesn’t show up in any “crash n’ crunch” reports from any source. She existed in service for ten years and two months – an obvious R&D frame for most of that. If you’ve got more info or a photo or two, please share. Flaps up!
Photos:
39360 x Clay Jansson 1949 Corpus Christi Squadron-Signal Aircraft No 68
ATU-101 patch VPNavy net
ATU-614 via Mahlon K. Miller c.1956 Hutchinson KS tailhook~vpNavy net
NAS Hutchinson Yoder Kansas alchetron net

Just another GHOST!39359, the 41st of 50 total standard production P2V-2s [the last 28 were cancelled], completed assemb...
10/27/2025

Just another GHOST!

39359, the 41st of 50 total standard production P2V-2s [the last 28 were cancelled], completed assembly at Lockheed/Burbank in February 1948. She was assigned serial number 126-1059 as a P2V-2 in the 126-52-02 block – all acquired under US Navy contract NOa(s)5247.
I have to thank Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola for the AHC, Aviation Safety Network [net] for a minor but startling “crash n’ crunch” report, Professor Joe Baugher (RIP) [net] for confirmation data, Wayne Mutza [Lockheed P2V Neptune © 1996 Schiffer] for fundamental production data, and VPNavy [net] for unit assignment and incident data. I provide a photo [US Navy public domain] of an unidentified P2V-2 rather than posting the “ghost” meme.
Our ship was taken-on-charge at Lockheed/Vega in Burbank on 6 February 1948. The AHC indicates that she was initially assigned to VP-ML-6 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington but VP-ML-6 was in the throws of being disestablished [1 September 1948] so this is very likely a “paper” assignment only. She did touch down with an illegible unit at Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California, remaining on station through August.
There’s a major gap in the history of 39359 – from August 1948 through January 1950. No entries, no data. On 10 January 1950, she was assigned to RD&DE [Electronic Test] at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Patuxent, Maryland, through February. On 20 February 1950, she was dispatched to O&R/M&S Naval Air Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia, through April. On 1 May 1950, she was relocated to O&R/M&S NAS North Island, San Diego, California, remaining on the line through June. On 19 June 1950, she was again relocated to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda, Alameda, California, where she parked through March 1951. Finally back to service, on 13 March 1951, she was acquired by FASRON 112 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. She remained at Whidbey Island through February 1952 – transferred to VP-4 15 May 1951 with a TDY to Naval Air Station Kodiak, Kodiak, Alaska in January 1952, Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Barbers Point, Hawaii, in February 1952, and Naval Air Station Agana, Agana, Guam, November 1952. It was while at Whidbey Island and between Barbers Point and Agana deployments that our ship suffered a self-inflicted wound! During air-to-air gunnery practice off the coast of Washington [see map], a cooked round in the dorsal turret went off and struck the tail assembly of our ship. Woooooooopppppssss! Repaired at Whidbey and returned to service.
On 27 January 1953, she was consigned to VP-9 at Alameda through May. In May 1953, she was again dispatched to depot at O&R/M&S Alameda. On 29 September 1953, she was reassigned to NPU at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Seely, California. Two years later - 25 September 1955 – she returned to depot at O&R/M&S NAS Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas. Too young to be tired, nonetheless on 11 May 1956 she was sent to NAF Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Arizona, for storage. The inevitable – on 3 November 1959, she was struck-off-charge at Litchfield with 2,562 hours. With nearly eleven years of service under her belt . . . she’s toast.
As always, if you’ve got a photo [I don’t] or you’ve got other info on our ship, please share. Flaps up!
Photos:
P2V-2 USN PD
47-50-00N 125-10-00W via Boulter~gps net
NAS_Agana_aerial_photo_January_1945_US Navy wiki

Possibly NOT a GHOST?39358, the 40th of 78 total standard production P2V-2s in the 126-52-02 block, completed assembly a...
10/09/2025

Possibly NOT a GHOST?

39358, the 40th of 78 total standard production P2V-2s in the 126-52-02 block, completed assembly at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant in February 1958. Under contract number NOa(s)-5247, she was assigned US Navy serial number 126-1058.
Kudos to Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum for provision of the AHCs, Wayne Mutza (Lockheed P2V Neptune © 1996 Schiffer) for fundamental production confirmation, to Bill Larkins (RIP) for his 15 May 1948 photo of what MIGHT be our ship at Floyd Bennet Field, and to Mahlon K. Miller’s Tailhook/VPNavy shot of what could be our bird with VP-8.
39358’s history and heritage is subject to “fog” – old ships and poor record keeping. That being said, here’s what we’ve got.
She was taken-on-charge by the US Navy at Burbank on 10 February 1948. The AHC shows her first assignment as VP-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. She remained in inventory with VP-6 at Whidbey Island until August 1948. Within a span of 21 months of un-charted activity, it appears she may have been reassigned to VP-8. I have no reason not to trust Bill Larkins’ notes n’ photos – he shows her at Floyd Bennet Field in New York on 15 May 1948 [Squadron-Signal Aircraft 68] marked as “EP.” We also have an “unknown” in the VPNavy [net] VP-8 collection, thanks to Mahlon K. Miller’s sharing of a Tailhook [net] photo – unknown date and location – on the VP Navy site.
The AHC takes us forward to 7 April 1950 and her transfer to FASRON 112 at Whidbey Island. The following month, on 5 May 1950, she is again transferred, this time to VP-1 at Whidbey Island. Three weeks later, she was dispatched to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda – 24 May through November. On 21 November 1950, she is reported as relocated to O&R/M&S at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Davisville, Rhode Island, through February. Here she is diverted eleven hundred miles south from Rhode Island to the inventory of VP-861 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, remaining on station for another year. In February 1952, with VP-861, she deployed to Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco, returning to Jacksonville in May. On 6 August 1952, her service life comes to an end - Stricken at NAS Jacksonville with 2,099 hours.
As always, if you’ve got info or pics, please contribute. Flaps up!
Photos:
39358 x Bill Larkins 5-15-48 Floyd Bennet Field Squadron-Signal Aircraft 68
possibly 39358 via Mahlon K. Miller unk-date-loc tailhook~vpnavy net
Floyd Bennett Field~Naval Air Station New York Brooklyn~New York City, New York wiki net
Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco wiki

A GHOST . . . and another sad ending!39357, with US Navy serial number 126-1057 and the 39th of 78 total standard produc...
10/03/2025

A GHOST . . . and another sad ending!

39357, with US Navy serial number 126-1057 and the 39th of 78 total standard production P2V-2s [126-52-02] produced at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant, completed assembly in January 1948 under US Navy contract NOa(s)5247.
Some folks to thank for history and heritage: Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, for the AHCs, Aerial Visuals [net] for corroboration, Aviation Archeology for “crash ‘n crunch” details, Aviation Safety [net] for a very thorough report, Bureau of Aircraft Accident Archives [B3A] for loss reporting, Marco Dirkx and Joe Baugher (RIP) for tail and incident data, and Wayne Mutza’s Lockheed P2V Neptune (© 1996 Schiffer) for production verification.
She was accepted by the US Navy at Burbank on 27 January 1948 and immediately assigned to pool with FASRON III at NAS Bermuda [Kindley Air Force Base], St. David’s Island, Bermuda. She remained on Bermuda through March. In March 1948, she was reassigned to VP-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington, remaining on station through April 1950. On 4 April 1950, she was dispatched to M&S/O&R Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda, on the line through September. On 12 September 1950, she was assigned to FASRON 112 at Whidbey Island, and almost immediately to VP-812 through November. In November 1950, with VP-812, she was assigned to Naval Station Kodiak, Kodiak, Alaska, returning to Whidbey Island in July 1951. In July/August, she was reassigned to FASRON 109/VP-741 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida. She stayed in inventory at Jacksonville through February 1952. From 2 February through 2 May, she deployed with VP-861 at Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco, returning to M&S/O&R Jacksonville. On 27 June 1952, she was again dispatched O&R/M&S Alameda, on line through February 1953. On 24 February 1953, she was reassigned to VP-16 at NAS Jacksonville.
On Friday, 27 February 1953 disaster struck. On what was supposed to be a Bermuda-Kindley Field NAS Bermuda to Terceira-Lajes AFB, Azores, transition, at 13:32Z hours and at 11,000 feet, our pilot, James R. Bird, experienced a sudden power loss in the starboard engine. After wrestling with falling manifold pressure for 20 minutes, the starboard engine began to severely backfire – Bird feathered the prop. At 14:45Z hours and maintaining 3,000 feet, the port engine began to smoke and throw oil. Bird diverted to Weather Station Echo. At 15:31Z hours, they had no alternative but to ditch – they did. The entire crew of ten souls escaped the ship without serious injury and were shortly thereafter rescued by the US Coast Guard Cutter Coos Bay. 39357 was claimed by Davy Jones’ Locker, never to be seen again, officially “struck-off-charge” by the US Navy on that date with 2,446 total hours on the meter.
I’m photo broke with these P2V-2s – same with this ship. If you’ve got info or any pics to share, please do so. Flaps up!
Illustration: Weather Station Echo 36.384066, -53.655616 mapdata ©2025 google INEGI net

Probably another GHOST!39356, the 38th of 78 total standard production P2V-2s produced at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant ...
09/23/2025

Probably another GHOST!

39356, the 38th of 78 total standard production P2V-2s produced at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant in 1948, was assigned serial number 126-1056 as a model 126-52-02 under US Navy contract NOa(s)5247.
Gratitude to some fine folks for data: Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, for the aircraft history cards; the good folks at DANAS for unit histories; George A. Smathers Libraries of the University of Florida; Wayne Mutza’s Lockheed P2V Neptune (© 1996 Schiffer); and VPNavy [net] for tidbits on VP-861.
Our ship was taken-on-charge on 20 January 1948, initially slated for pool at FASRON 111 at NAS Bermuda [Kindley Air Force Base], St. David’s Island, Bermuda. She might never have seen Bermuda as in February, she was placed with VP-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. On 29 March 1950, remaining at Whidbey Island, she was transferred to VP-4. Another transfer occurred on 7 June 1950, this time to FASRON 112 and immediately dispatched to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda. She remained at Alameda through January 1951. On 22 January, she was relocated to O&R/M&S at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Davisville, Rhode Island.
She came out of Quonset Point on 9 March and reassigned to VP-861 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida, following the activation to regular duty for VP-861. The squadron scored top drawer in AirLant squadrons for zero accidents in it’s first year of active duty – no “crash n’ crunch!”
39356 was called up for a first deployment with VP-861 to Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco in May, followed by another TDY from Jacksonville to Port Lyautey in February 1952. JAX AIR NEWS [Vol 8 No 33] announces the surrender of “reserves status” for the squadron from NARTU Norfolk and arrival of VP-861 at NAS Jacksonville in November 1952. Vol 10 No 5 touts the toughest aspect of of the Moroccan deployment was staying dry through intra-mural basketball games and staying dry through dayside barbecues!
On 26 May 1953 this ship was reassigned to VP-18 and deployed to RAF Luqa, Valletta, Malta, returning to O&R/M&S Jacksonville on 26 June 1953. In less than a week, she made a transcontinental reloc to O&R/M&S Alameda, remaining on the line through November. In November, on the move again, she arrived at O&R/M&S NAS Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas, on 27 November. Checked out, on 5 January 1954, she was reassigned to ATU 601 at Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Yoder, Kansas. She remained in inventory at Hutchinson through May of 1956, at which time she was consigned to storage at NAF Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Arizona, on 21 May. Sitting out her final days, on 3 November 1959 she was struck-off-charge with 4,632 hours on the frame. Eleven years of service, no “crash n’ crunch,” I couldn’t find a single incidence of “puckered butts” aboard this lady – a testament to the skilled craftsmen of plant and depot.
As usual, if you’ve got more info or a photo, please contribute. Flaps up!
Photos:
NAS Bermuda [Kindley AFB] St. David's Island Bermuda x US Defense Imagery net
Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco US Navy
VP-861 Returns From Med Cruise After 4 Months - JAX AIR NEWS - VOL 10 - NO 5 - NAS Jacksonville, FL - 1 May 1952

A GHOST . . . and a minor crunch!39355, 37th of 78 total standard production P2V-2s, was assigned serial number 126-1055...
09/15/2025

A GHOST . . . and a minor crunch!

39355, 37th of 78 total standard production P2V-2s, was assigned serial number 126-1055 at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant in January 1948. As a model 126-52-02, she was produced under US Navy contract NOa(s)5247.
A couple of deserving folks to thank: Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola for the AHC, Professor Joe Baugher (RIP) [net] for particulars, Wayne Mutza – Lockheed P2V Neptune © 1996 Schiffer – for production verification and an assignment lead [ATU-601 at Naval Air Station Hutchinson], and the good folks at VPNavy [net] for a lead on a minor “crash n’ crunch.”
Our ship was taken-on-charge by the US Navy on 19 January 1948. She was initially recorded as a pool assignment with FASRON III [3] – apparently paper only - FASRON 3, NAS Norfolk, Virginia. She actually went to VP-6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington, in February, marked “BE.”
On 4 October 1948, on a “Nav n’ Instrument” flight from Whidbey Island to NAS Adak, upon landing the nose gear collapsed. I have no particulars on the status of the crew nor the time it took for repairs, but she certainly returned to service at some point [logo n’ aerial].
In May 1950, she was reassigned to VC-5 at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, Mountain View, California [patch n’ aerial]. Her time with VC-5 was short. On 31 May 1950, she was consigned to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda where she remained through January 1951. On 16 January, she was relocated to O&R/M&S Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Davisville, Rhode Island [no details]. On 30 January, she was assigned to FASRON 101 at Quonset Point.
On 15 March 1951, she was allocated to VP-861 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida, remaining on station through November 1952 with two deployments to Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco, in the process. She remained with VP-861 through February 1953.
In February 1953, she was transferred to VP-18 and dispatched to RAF Luqa, Valletta, Malta - on station through May. On 26 June 1953, she returned to CONUS and was consigned to O&R/M&S Jacksonville – another very short stay. On 28 June 1953, she was transferred cross-country to O&R/M&S NARF Alameda, on the line through October. On 7 November 1953, Alameda lateralled to O&R/M&S NAS Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas, through January 1954.
Then, on 19 January 1954, she left Corpus Christi for assignment to ATU-601 at Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Yoder, Kansas, but only for a little less than six months. On 9 June 1954, she was returned to O&R/M&S NARF Alameda for undisclosed details, returning to NAS Hutchinson on 1 July, remaining in inventory at Hutchinson through February 1956.
On 28 February 1956, she returned to O&R/M&S NAS Corpus Christi – again no details. Ninety days later, on 2 May 1956, she was consigned to NAF Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Arizona, for storage. On 3 November 1959, this ship was struck-off-charge [salvaged?] at NAF Litchfield Park. At this point, she’s off-paper.
As always, if you’ve got info or a photo or two, please contribute. Flaps up!
Photos:
VP-6 logo patch popularpatch net
Adak Alaska NAS 1944 x vildaalaska edu net
VC-5 logo patch popularpatch net
Moffett Field x JM H**p 7-14-25 18k mod

Just another GHOST!39354, with serial number 126-1054, completed assembly at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant in January 19...
09/07/2025

Just another GHOST!

39354, with serial number 126-1054, completed assembly at Lockheed’s Vega/Burbank plant in January 1948. She became the 36th standard production P2V-2 of a total of 78. Under US Navy contract NOa(s)5247, she was taken-on-charge on 6 January 1948.
Got’a thank: Pam Thomas of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola for the AHC, AAIR [net] as the only source of a minor “crash n’ crunch” – ground accident, Marco Dirkx~Joe Baugher’s Serial Number Lists [net], and Wayne Mutza (Lockheed P2V Neptune © 1996 Schiffer) for production fundamentals.
Without any explanation for delays, 39354 didn’t make it to operational inventory until 23 April 1948, with VP-4 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Oak Harbor, Washington. While based at Whidbey Island, she pulled a TDY to Naval Air Station Kodiak, Kodiak, Alaska, returning to Whidbey Island in April 1950. On 17 April 1950, she was dispatched to O&R/M&S Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Alameda, on the line through November. On 19 November, she was transferred to O&R/M&S Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Davisville, Rhode Island. On 6 December 1950, she finally returned to active service with VP-861 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, where she remained on station through May 1951. That May, she pulled a deployment to Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco. She returned to Jacksonville in July. In February 1952, she pulled another TDY to Port Lyautey, returning to Jacksonville in May and remained on station through January 1953. No evidence of her at Blackbushe!
AAIR’s inclusion in “thanks” brings us to an interesting tidbit – in January 1953 our ship was reassigned to Niel Armstrong’s VR-32 at NAS San Diego [North Island]. Split off to a detachment at Naval Air Station El Centro, Seely, California, on 13 January our ship was involved in a collision on the ramp – “D – USN - Minor damage ~ GAC - Ground Accident.” On 28 January she was relocated to Alameda for repairs, remaining on the line through May. Repairs completed, on 9 June she was allocated by FASRON 109 at Jacksonville, on station through February 1955. On 10 February, she was acquired by NAATC at Naval Air Station Hutchinson, Yoder, Kansas, there through October. On 31 October 1955, she was consigned to O&R/FA at NAS Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas. Wrapping up O&R, she was sent to NAF Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Arizona, on 29 April 1956. Sadly, our lady gave up the ghost at Litchfield on 3 November – stricken and salvaged.
Searched everywhere for a snapshot – nada! If you’ve got info or a pic, please contribute. Flaps up!
Photos:
VR-32 patch x VPNavy [net]
Naval Air Facility El Centro – Seely, California nara-getarchive net

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