PV-2 Harpoon moved inside

[ALOHADAVE]

PV-2 Harpoon, Lockheed Construction # 15-1490, Navy Bureau # 37524, FAA Civil Registration # N20PV

Moved inside for the 1st time in a very long time. The aircraft last flew in 1995 and has languished outside ever since.The aircraft was cleaned thanks to volunteers from Solano Community College and is now on display in the hangar. It is part of a collection of aircraft that is gathering in anticipation of a new aircraft museum at the Jimmy Doolittle Center, Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville CA. Plan is to continue to restore her to her wartime configuration. They are looking for volunteers to work on her. The aircraft is currently on loan to the center.

I have the full history of this aircraft, both military and civilian if anybody is interested just PM me.
no combat history, it was based at NAS Alameda California and NARTU Anacostia, Washington D.C.
afterwards it was civil operated by Ralph S. Johnson, Cheyenne WY as an ag sprayer.

Also this aircraft is reportedly for sale if anyone wants more details just PM me.

Trying to save another Warbird...

Attachments

[Blackbirdfan]

Are they looking to make it fly again? Its nice to see that its inside. Who does one contact to volunteer to work on it? I'd love to do so.

[ALOHADAVE]

We are starting with cleaning and general maintenance on the PV-2 and then going from there.
contact info at this link:
https://doolittlecenter.org/html/contact.html
tell them Dave sent you...

PS Also in the collection:
T-28, Stinson V-77 (Reliant), Sterman, UH-1 Huey, 1912 Gonzales Biplane.
all in the Doolittle Center Hangar at the Nut Tree Airport.

[GARY HILTON]

Alohadave....You are correct in the owners name , Ralph Johnson...but this was a different Ralph. One was with Ralco in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the other was based out of Richmond, Ca.. north of Oakland. This aircraft was owned by the California Ralph Johnson. Speaking with Earl B. a while back, I am pretty sure that this airframe was used as a granule spreader. I hope nobody got stung from the current residents...last time I saw her, I could not get too close.
G

[Blackbirdfan]

I didn't have any issues with wasps the last time I saw it. Here is a shot I took in 2012


Will

[GARY HILTON]

Good deal! The insect WASP's were awful thick when I last saw her...must have been the time of year. Since you are close by there, Blackbirdfan, do you have any photo's of the other Poon that Earl and Duncan owned? The one that was at Schellville? I heard that it went to Atwater. It would be nice to get an update on that Harpoon. Don't know if I will ever make it back out to the west coast again.
G

[Taigh Ramey]

Don't know if I will ever make it back out to the west coast again.
G

Why the heck not?

[GARY HILTON]

I can't drive the big truck anymore....lost my medical (DOT) ... I do have a new job, but just making enough to pay the bills. That's what happens when a persons brains start out below the beltline. Soon I'll have all my ex's homes paid for, but I'll probably be too old to drive by then....

[Taigh Ramey]

Sorry about that Gary. We will sure miss you out this way.

[Blackbirdfan]

Good deal! The insect WASP's were awful thick when I last saw her...must have been the time of year. Since you are close by there, Blackbirdfan, do you have any photo's of the other Poon that Earl and Duncan owned? The one that was at Schellville? I heard that it went to Atwater. It would be nice to get an update on that Harpoon. Don't know if I will ever make it back out to the west coast again.
G

I do happen to have some pics of the Schellville Harpoon. I haven't made it down to Castle to see how its doing, but I miss seeing it at Shellville.






Will