RAF marked Lockheed at Falcon Field, Mesa AZ

[JohnB]

Last week I flew out of Falcon Field. On the Southside of the field there are a couple of rows of hangars. Outside of one was a PV-1 in RAF SEA colors (green and a reddish brown). No turret. Its position looked like it had just been pushed out of one, it was pretty much blocking the taxiway between the rows, so I don't think it's just parked there. I didn't get a good look as I was flying.

Can anyone confirm that or post a photo?

And no, I'm not referring to the two Harpoons (and the 2 Canberras...plus a H-19) parked just north on the west end of the runway...but it would be interesting to know who has those.

Last edited by JohnB on Sat Feb 13, 2016 7:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JohnTerrell]

I believe the aircraft you're referring to is the PV-2 15-1473/BuNo.37507, previously registered as N86492 (and N6643D). It has been sitting (in different locations) at Falcon Field for many years. There was some work done back in the 90's to convert the nose of the aircraft to make it resemble a Ventura (together with the RAF paint scheme).

Here are a few more recent photos of the aircraft:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spudshot/ ... 3/sizes/h/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/38016434@ ... 89/sizes/l
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ddepruis/ ... 10/sizes/l

And here is an older photo from '98:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pvdac/12952650885/sizes/l

[JohnB]

Thanks, it must be the one.
However, the colors were darker...so either a touch up has been done or it was wet, it had rained 24+ h0urs earlier and should have been dry by the time I saw it.

[Tulio]

If this is the one you mean, it was (in April 2,000 mind you) at the CAF's Arizona Wing ramp.

Mesa was a great place to visit, with so many interesting airplanes to see and photograph. 9/11 of course, changed the access to many airports...


Saludos,


Tulio

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[JohnB]

I wonder if that's the H-19 (now restored in Army colors) now in the CAF hangar? It was going to be a flyer at one time.
Or it could be the(now) bare metal one by the west end of the runway.

The CAF does have an airworthy H-13E, owned by a local member...who at one time owned the H-19.