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Neptune Zaps

Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:30 am

Can anyone help with identifying the zap markings on this RAAF Neptune from July 1965?

Image

I have numbered the marks for easy reference.

1: Suspect VC-1 Barbers Point
2: Appears to be a lightning bolt through a sub. VP-19?
3: Obviously NZ but could be any unit.
4: Reads "NAS illegible Hawaii".
5: VP-40 but where were they in 62-65? VP-40 was in the P.I. at that time flying P5M's
6: Reads "Have Helo Will Hover" but the rest is illegible.
7: Reads "Mabuhay AMD Sangley". Evidently Sangley Point, Philippines. AMD Air Mobility Division maybe?
8: Appears to be a red marlin so maybe VP-40 also. Actually a Sailfish

Sorry about the large image. Any info much appreciated.
Last edited by Malcolm Hood on Sun Oct 18, 2015 4:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Neptune Zaps

Sun Oct 18, 2015 3:23 am

VP-40 was in the P.I. at that time flying P5M's

Re: Neptune Zaps

Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:43 am

It's possible that the "Swordfish" zap (#8) is from 415 Sqn (Canada). They were operating the CP-107 Argus at the time and the swordfish was carried prominently on the tail of the aircraft.
Image

Re: Neptune Zaps

Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:32 am

Aircraft is RAAF SP-2H Neptune A89-277 from No 10 Sqn, RAAF Base Townsville, Qld, Australia..
Nice pic in it's original blu/white scheme before the change to grey/white..

Re: Neptune Zaps

Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:19 am

One-0-Wonder wrote:It's possible that the "Swordfish" zap (#8) is from 415 Sqn (Canada). They were operating the CP-107 Argus at the time and the swordfish was carried prominently on the tail of the aircraft.
Image


I was thinking the same thing, but it looks the swordfish is oriented differently on our birds versus the zap.

Sean

Re: Neptune Zaps

Sun Oct 18, 2015 4:49 pm

Thanks to everyone who responded.

The reference to 415 Sqn (Canada) is perfectly logical. However, on closer examination of the fish zap I find that it is in fact a Sailfish so this would appear to eliminate 415 Sqn (Swordfish) and VP-40 (Marlin).

Invader26
You identify the aeroplane correctly but despite appearances it is not blue. While the RAAF P2V-5s were delivered in gloss Sea Blue (aka Midnight Blue), the RAAF P2V-7s were delivered in semi-gloss Seaplane Gray. The two colours are difficult to separate even in some colour photos. Consequently, many references perpetuate the myth that the P2V-7s were blue. Both types were later painted light grey. I understand the latter colour was Light Gull Grey or perhaps a local equivalent.

Rgds
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