VP-56 Miscellaneous
 2008 CALENDAR "...P2V-7 Neptune Interior Photographs. The nose section (JAN, FEB, MAR and APR are from BUNO: 147951. It was in service with VP-7, VP-23, VP-24, VP-45, VP-56, and VP-66..." Contributed by Bob Self bob.self@comcast.net [29JUN2007]
P2V-7 Neptune Interior Photographs
Where did the P2V's go? For those of you who have often wondered it's in the Arizona desert, static displays on various military bases and a few in air museums around the country. Most have been recycled.
In early 2002, I learned there was a group of P2V's in Missoula, MT being used to fight forest fires. I made an appointment to visit Neptune Aviation and found an aircraft they decided not to convert to a water bomber. It sat in the Arizona desert for decades and had been flown to Missoula a few months prior to my visit.
What I found was Buno # 147695. When active in the Navy it was assigned to VP-31. Other than having had the removal of many cockpit instruments and radios, and the obvious deterioration, it had most of the electronic boxes intact. The after station hatch had been left open and some critter had been making a bed in one of the flight deck seats for a long time. In 2006, the interior pictures were retaken for technical reasons. Then, location was made of a restored nose section of a P2V-7 close by, done by the VP-2 Restoration group. That came from Buno # 147951 and served with VP-7, VP-23, VP-24, VP-45, VP-56, and VP-66. Pictures were taken of the Bow, MAD station, and Cockpit, both Pilot and Co-Pilot positions.
The pictures of these two efforts have just been published into a calendar. It can be previewed by logging onto http://www.thelightcatchers.com/. You can now see some authentic pictures that has been circulating in your thoughts for years. Here's your chance to re-live some experiences of when you were in your 20's and bulletproof. By selecting "Samples" at the top, you can then select "P2V-7 Neptune 2008 Calendar" and preview each calendar page by scrolling through pages 1-4 at the lower left of the screen. You can order the calendar on-line by clicking Order Books at the top and following instructions. If you do not want to order on-line, then email me with your name and phone number and I'll call you at a convenient time with additional ordering information.
Bob Self
bob.self@comcast.net
BOOKs:  Title: MARTIN P5M MARLIN by Capt Richard Hoffman USN (Ret) dickdot@san.rr.com.
The lineage of Martin and the flying boat can be traced back to the PBM-4 of 1941. Navy last flying boat and the end of a long era of seaplanes in the US Navy. This book covers the squadron that used them and parts of the pilot handbook and maintenance manual. Squadron and crew patches. Photos of the catwalks and some of the hazard of working on a seaplane over the water. There are also section on the US Coast Guard and French use. The Marlin losses and a list of Casualties. 168 pages, 273 photos, 50 drawings 1 page of models colored front and back cover with 12 colored photos. Also 2 pages on the P6M and advanced seaplanes. Squadrons Mentioned: VP-30, VP-31, VP-40, VP-42, VP-44, VP-45, VP-46, VP-47, VP-48, VP-49, VP-50, VP-56, VT-31 and VX-1 to mention a few! ORDER NUMBER - NF74 $34.95 - ISBN 0-942612-74-4 WebSite for ordering a copy: http://ginterbooks.com/NAVAL/NF74.htm [17MAY2007]
BOOKs:    Title: The Fighting Flying Boat: A History of the Martin PBM Mariner by Richard Alden Hoffman dickdot@san.rr.com.
Squadrons, Tenders, etc. include: VP-13, VP-16, VP-17, VP-19, VP-20, VP-21, VP-22, VP-25, VP-26, VP-27, VP-28, VP-32, VP-55, VP-56, VP-73, VP-74, VP-98, VP-100, VP-104, VP-111, VP-117, VP-119, VP-120, VP-201, VP-202, VP-203, VP-204, VP-205, VP-207, VP-208, VP-209, VP-210, VP-211, VP-212, VP-213, VP-216, VH-1, VH-3, VH-4, FAW-3, FAW-5, FAW-9, FAW-11, FAW-12, FAW-16, USS Albemarle (AV-5), USS Pocomoke (AV-9), USS Casco (AVP-12), USS Chincoteague (AVP-24), USS Pocomoke (AV-9), and USS Chandeleur (AV-10).
The Fighting Flying Boat mentions each and every PBM squadron in both WW2 and Korea as well as details of the RAF, RAAF, Dutch, Argentine and Uruguayan service. Also USCG and commercial activities in US, Colombia and Portugal. Also includes every PBM casualty by name, details of every PBM vs Uboat engagement and every PBM vs Japanese fighter and Korean era vs MIG engagements. [22OCT2004]
BOOKs: Title: "Patrol Squadron 56 cruise book, April - September 1978, Keflavik, Iceland." Imprint [S.l. : s.n., 1978?] Physical Description 107 p. : chiefly ill., ports. ; 29 cm. WebSite: Navy Department Library http://www.history.navy.mil/library/ [Link Updated 24APR2001 | 30JAN99]
 LOGOs: Purchase Information:  VP-56 Patch  features a large selection of Military related Patches, Aviation Art Prints, Military Caps and more. Free Shipping Worldwide*. VPNAVY will get 5% commission on all purchases! Contributed by Dave Duckworth dave@militarybest.com [17OCT2000]
"VP-56 Summary Page"
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