Warbird Information Exchange

Since getting owned by 58C, I have been doing research on the PV-2s. If it wasn't for the tanker industry, most of these old larger warbirds would not exsist. My starting point for research was the Warbird Registry. The registry listed 3 Harpoons in Montana..2 in Glendive, and one in Richey...Last April I stopped in Glendive to inquire about the PV-2s that were listed as being there, I found out that there aren't any PVs there now. I met an ex-tanker pilot..Arnie is his first name...told some exciting experiences worthy of a book...At the airport, some oldtimers there couldn't remember how long ago it had been since the last tankers had left. I can't remember who operated out of Glendive, but was told that John and Connie Hirth used to work for the operator there.
As for Richey, MT....The name Bruce Kinney came up from the people at the airport, and from Arnie....I also saw Kinneys name in another thread...I understand that Bruce operated a PV-2...I bought an engine that came from a PV in Mt....and is supposed to be off his PV-2...Just trying to find out what happened to this aircraft, where it may be now, and even if anybody knows what the whereabouts of the 2 Glendive PVs...I think that the PV at Chandler may have been one of the Glendive Poons (tanker #112)
I am also interested in the history of the tanker operators from both towns...If you have any info on the subjects, I would be very greatful to hear your angle on things....Gary

Hi

Since Larry has posted his pictures of PV2, "The Lockheed Twins (by Peter J Marson, Air Britain publication) is on my office.

Let's have a look on mr Kinney...
Kinney Bruce R, based in Kirkwood, Il and Glendive MT
He operated tankers and sprayer from 1979 until the mid 80ies.
Other tradmarks known are Kinney Air Tankers and Dawson Aviation

PV2 operated:
15-1125, N6853C, Sprayer modified by D&D aero. Brused Kiney used it with full wing spray bars from 79 to 85 and sold it to Dennis Hill who converted it as tanker #176 in winter 85-86 It was leased to Teske for Pensylvania contracts PA in 86-87.
At Lafayette LA Combat museum

15-1228, N7428C modified in 74 as a Sprayer by Clark Aerial (TX) saized aircraft in FL sold to Kinney in june 84, butsold in dec 84 and ferried to Acadiana Aero restauration society, New Iberia LA in 85
Crashed 16 sept 90


15-1503, N6651D modified with fiberglass tank by Wenairco (WA) in use as tanker since 63, #F40, #E40, #40 with Dempsey's companies (Central Air service, D&D aero...) bought by Kinney in 80, became tanker 103 in 81. It was transfered in 84 to Vershoot and its trading companies Custom Farm Services and Custom Farm Air, from Rickey MT and Glendive MT
Stored Corpus Christi TX in 94

15-1606, N6657D modified with fiberglass tank by Wenairco (WA) in use as tanker since 63, #F37, with Dempsey's companies (Central Air service, D&D aero...) bought by Kinney in 78, became tanker 101 in 79. It was transfered in 83 to Vershoot modified as a sprayer in 1985 by Kinney. It continued iyts carrer as a tanker with Teske and flew a fire season in 86 for Pensylvania forest industry
Stored in Johnson Ranch CA in tanker 101 configuration in 94


Hope it will Help you

Regards

Sirl,
Thanks for the help....Things do change...
N6651D is in Midland, Tx..owned by U.S. Navy..on loan to CAF
N6657D is in Middlefield, Ca
N7428C burned on the ground in Conroe, Tx. 16 Sept 90..due to starter
Hanging up and heating up wiring in engine nacelle
N6853C....now that is one I didn't know about...I will get down to Lafayette before long and try to find her...That still leaves an unidentified PV in Montana.

Gary,
N6857C is also at Lafayette. Both were last seen there in Mar07.
Regards,
Andy Marden

USA Military Out of Service