 Notice!
VPNAVY Forum Online!
Posted: November 4th, 2011
Updated: May 20th, 2013
I put up a VPNAVYs FORUM! a few years ago. It was well received but the Spammer's were going nuts leaving stuff. Fortunately, Forum Software has improved over the past few years and are able to block Spammer's with better success. So, I brought VPNAVY's Forum back online with new and improved software.
Thanks and Good Hunting!
 "...183rd Shipmate Registered!..."
[20MAY2013]
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Notice!
Acquisition of P2V for Naval Air Museum Barbers Point!
Posted: November 4th, 2011
Updated: January 31st, 2012
NAVAL AIR MUSEUM BARBERS POINT
91-1299 Midway Street
Kapolei, Hawaii 967071 November 2011
To: VP-22 Shipmates
From: Fred G. King, Naval Air Museum Barbers Point (NAMBP)
P2V Neptune Project Coordinator
Attn: Bud White
Subj: Update on Acquisition of P2V for NAMBP
Copy to: Brad Hayes, CEO, President - NAMBP
Dear Shipmates:
I want to express great appreciation to Bud White who is the primary communion link with our fellow VP-22 Shipmates scattered across the country. Thank you, Bud, and well done!
I thought it would be good to advise the VP-22 Shipmates that we continue to be aggressive in our search for an airworthy P2V-5 or 7 to be the featured aircraft at the Barbers Point Museum. Securing a P2V that can be brought back to life is not as easy as it may seem! There are still some out there but tragically many have been chewed up into scrap and the metal sold. It is sad to see this happen. I have searched high and low for a surviving P2V that served with VP-22. One is one display at Moffett Field but it is not available to us. I have located one other that was converted to serve as a Fire Bomber. It may possibly be available at a rather high cost but will require a lot of retro-fitting in that the interior has been stripped as well as the rad dome, tip tanks, etc.
If any of the VP-22 crew members are aware of one of our planes please let us know!
Meanwhile we keep looking. On 11 October I visited a boneyard just south of Tucson, Arizona and inspected seven (7) of the old warbirds. Three are in terrible condition having been cannibalized and stripped down to empty hulks. The other four are relatively intact and could be brought back to life with some funds and skilled workers.
Recently the owner did offered to give us one in exchange for "multiple” other aircraft we may have at the museum. We do not have a surplus of airframes available, but I will leave that to the Board to discuss.
I have been tracking thirteen (13) P2V-7s stored in Greybull, Wyoming. Specifics on them is very scarce so it is difficult to know their condition. I have discovered one company that owns at least four (4) of them. This is a very reputable fire fighting company that seems interested in assisting us.
The Chico Air Museum in Chico, California has a P2V on display and has expressed an interest in trading it for a plane in our museum. The negotiations continue. This plane would require loaner engines and a crew of people to bring it back to life.
Our goal is to identify a specific aircraft that can be resurrected and flown back home to Hawaii. As soon as we can ID it, I will shoot out an immediate report to all the Shipmates through Bud White.
We are absolutely determined to resurrect a P2V and fly it home. We need to band together to see that this will happen! I remember when we were in Hanger 111 and VP-28 was using the opposite side. They draped a banner over the second deck that said "WILL DO”. Our squadrons were always competing so that challenged VP-22.
We draped a banner over our second deck that read "HAVE DONE". We went on to receive some kind of Patrol Squadron award. That kind of "have done" challenge is once again before us!
The Naval Air Museum Barbers Point (NAMBP) has some great professionals on staff and they have calculated the cost of securing a P2V, bringing it back to life, flying it home to Barbers Point, then restoring it. Their estimate is very close to that which the actual cost will be, based on their experience in restoring other aircraft. The total cost will be approximately $250,000. That is a lot of bucks, but when many Shipmates participate as they are able, that amount can be raised.
We will address the costs in a series of bundles. For example, bundle number one (1) would be the actual purchase (unless it is donated); bundle number two (2) would be the labor and materials to bring it back to life; bundle number three (3) would be the cost of the crew, fuel, etc. to fly it home; and bundle number four (4) would be the cleaning, painting (restoration) to make it look like the plane it was when you guys flew it all over the Pacific!
The Naval Air Museum Barbers Point (NAMBP) has opened a special savings account designated for the Neptune Project only. Donations will be used exclusively, 100%, for the purchase, repair, flight, fuel, etc. No other fees for administration, etc. will be taken from those donated funds. The account is open and the first donation has been received! The Museum Treasurer will provide regular financial reports so we can all track the progress. Some of us will have limited finances while others may have more, but together we can see this become a reality!
If a P2V is donated our museum experts estimate the cost of bringing her back to life will be $30,000. Let's use this as our first target goal to achieve! I have no doubt this project is a very exciting event for all of us! While we are confident of it's success, should some unforeseen thing occur that could prevent the completion of bringing a P2V back to Barbers Point, each donor will then have his entire gift returned.
You may send your gifts to:
Naval Air Museum Barbers Point (NAMBP)
P2V Neptune Project
91-1299 Midway Street
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
You may also use PayPal if you wish.
The museum web site is: Naval Air Museum Barbers Point (NAMBP)
Your inquiries and questions are welcome and we look forward to hearing from you.
Serving you,
Fred G. King, VP-22 1960-1963
P2V Neptune Project Coordinator
Naval Air Museum Barbers Point (NAMBP)
fredgking@southerncma.org
Forwarded by WHITE, Bob white1@cfl.rr.com [04NOV2011]
"...Flight of the Neptune By Fred King..." Forwarded by WHITE, Bob white1@cfl.rr.com [31JAN2012]
Hi Bud:
We really appreciate the efficient way you post the Naval Air Museum Barbers Point (NAMBP) updates on the search and acquisition of a P2V. Thank you very much. Your service is invaluable!
The following is some information that VPers will appreciate:
Our Shipmates can go to Facebook and gain a ton of information regarding Neptune Project. Below is the detailed facebook address. I believe they can go to Facebook and simply type in:
The-NAS-Barbers-P-2-Neptune-Project and pull up pictures, reports and responses.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-NAS-Barbers-P-2-Neptune-Project/127486557352267
As a result of our last update I received a very encouraging from a Shipmate (I neglected to ask his permission to use his name but will when we communicate next time), who actually flew in a couple of the Missoula planes as well as assisting in the swapping out of both engines of one of P2Vs during a project in Alaska in 1964. He would like to assist me with a thorough inspection in March of the four P2Vs in storage in March, in Missoula, Montana! He suggests there could be more Patrol Squadron Shipmates with great experience who may be willing to help us bring a warbird back to life! Also he knows a writer for Western Flyer who could be interested in doing a story on the FLIGHT OF THE NEPTUNE.
Wouldn't be great to have a team of ol' pros from the P2V era actually working together again then see their plane lift off and fly home to Barbers Point? Volunteer mechanics, electricians, electronics, hydraulics, airframe, and others who used to work on P2Vs are needed. It has been many years for us, but I believe as we band together we can accomplish this incredible task.
I am confident that when we confirm which aircraft will be "ours", Shipmates will want to participate financially. Granted, some donations will be small while others will be larger. It really doesn't matter if we are banding together. We have been projecting the cost of bringing her back to life to be around $30,000, but at this point that is just an educated guess. Once we know exactly what is involved, then we have a target to go after! It could be more, it could be less.
If you wish to begin donating to the project you can easily do so by using PayPal. Go to the museum website www.nambp.com and simply designate your gift to the Neptune Project. You need to know that the museum website is being updated to present the project. Right now you will not see the Neptune Project listed. That really does not matter because when using PayPal there is a box to designate your gift. These donated funds are strictly reserved for the resurrection of "our" P2V. There will be no overhead administrative costs, personnel costs, or anything else - in that all hands are volunteers. Every cent will be used only to bring her back to life!
We are hoping the P2V will be donated to the museum as well as loaned hanger space and equipment in Missoula to do the job. Those items are a really big deal but seem to be a good possibility.
When the P2V is operational we must hire a certified pilot and co-pilot to ferry it back to Hawaii. In addition to their expenses there is the cost of fuel and oil. A 3000+ mile hop will use a lot of oil and fuel. Fuel is running about $7.00 a gallon right now. Once back home at Barbers Point the total restoration begins and there will of course be expenses connected with this.
This is a big project but it is very doable!
We are always delighted to hear from you. Your questions, suggestions, offers to help, stories of your experiences "back in the day" are invited. We look forward to hearing from you!
Cordially
Fred G. King
"...Flight of the Neptune By Fred King..." Forwarded by WHITE, Bob white1@cfl.rr.com [29JAN2012]
I will head for Missoula, Montana in early March to inspect 4 P2Vs owned by a private party. Will also meet with the CEO of Neptune Aviation a major Fire Bomber organization.
It is believed that one of the 4 planes is relatively intact and can be brought back to life. Some real pros at Neptune may be able to do a thorough inspection and evaluation for us. These are the guys who have resurrected a number of P2Vs and turned them into some really cool looking Fire Bombers!
I will let you know how things go right after the inspection. Things are looking very hopeful!
Fred King
P.S. If any Shipmates have questions or suggestions do not hesitate to email me.
Aloha
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Notice!
Save a (P2) Neptune!
Posted: March 4th, 2013
Updated: March 4th, 2013
Save a Neptune! is a 501 (c) 3 IRS approved charity to restore to flying condition a P2V-7 Neptune BUNO: 143173 and to educate the public on the role the Neptune played in ASW for the Navy.
BUNO: 143173 flew with VP-21 (1957-1960), VX-1 (1961-1963), VP-30 (1963-1965), VP-24 (1966), VP-30 (1966-1968), NARTU NAS Memphis, Tennessee (1968-1969), NAS Los Alamitos, California (1969), NARTU NAS Memphis, Tennessee (1969-1970), and VP-67 (1970-1973).
She still is in 85% military configuration! Please look closely at the pictures located on our WebSite at: http://www.saveaneptune.com!
Please visit http://www.saveaneptune.com for more details and pictures of 143173. Donations via PayPal! Partners and Corporate sponsors Welcome!
Thank you,
Richard Camp
saveaneptune@gmail.com [04MAR2013]
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Notice!
Patrol Squadron Two Association
Truculent Turtle Sponsorship Committee
Posted: May 10th, 2011
Updated: February 26th, 2012
The Patrol Squadron Two Association soliciting funds to sponsor the Truculent Turtle at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
Patrol Squadron Two Association
Truculent Turtlebr Sponsorship Committee
PO Box 2894
Gardnerville, NV 89410
May 2, 2011
Dear Shipmate,
I'm writing to ask for your assistance.
The Patrol Squadron Two Association has undertaken the challenge of raising funds to sponsor the most famous patrol aircraft in Naval Aviation History - The Truculent Turtle. In a nutshell, the crew of the Truculent Turtle set a long-standing world record for non-stop, unrefueled flight by flying from Perth, Australia to Columbus, Ohio… a distance of 11,236 miles over a span of 55 hours and 17 minutes. This performance was singularly responsible for establishing the Navy's role for land based maritime patrol after WWII.
This unique aircraft is now in a place of honor at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola Florida but needs a sponsor to ensure that it will receive the preservation and maintenance that such a famous aircraft deserves.
Thanks to slightly over 60 individuals and some sister organizations, we are a little more than halfway to our goal of raising the $50,000 needed for full sponsorship, but there is still a long way to go. If you haven't already done so, please make a donation (or a pledge) to help preserve this airplane You can also help by passing the word about this project to your other friends in naval aviation.
Send your check (or pledge) made out to the Patrol Squadron Two Association to Doug Donohue at P.O. Box 2894, Gardnerville, NV 89410. For donations by credit card, please go to the website for National Naval Aviation Musuem Donor Page and fill in the information requested. In the drop down "Designation" box click on "Exhibits", and then in the "Comments" box insert "VP-2 Truculent Turtle". After submission, the museum will provide a receipt; please forward a copy to Doug Donohue at nvsoar@charter.net to assure donation tracking and appropriate acknowledgment.
For those not familiar with the Truculent Turtle and its role in shaping and securing the navy's patrol and reconnaissance mission, you are invited to read the full story on our squadron's website at http://www.patron2.com.
Please seriously consider making a gift (or a pledge) to help preserve the "Turtle."
Regards,
Bob Champoux
Chair, Truculent Turtle Sponsorship Committee
425-890-3857
Contributed by Bob Champoux vp2-truculentturtle@comcast.net [10MAY2011]
"...We are now 75% towards our goal! Please seriously consider making a gift (or a pledge) to help preserve the "Turtle" and help us reach our goal. Thank you..." Bob Champoux vp2-truculentturtle@comcast.net [26FEB2012]
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Notice!
Shipmate Information Request #25
Posted: February 4th, 2013
Updated: February 4th, 2013
OK Shipmates, you came through   times already! You provided information for family members about their fathers and husbands that that Official Channels couldn't provide. Here is number  :
 Dad! My father, Bill Russey, was lost April 12, 1973 (SEE: In Memorial for (VP-47) lost friends April 12, 1973). I never got to meet him. I was born a few months too late. I have often wondered what he was like as a person and who I'd be if he had lived. I have two sons now, my oldest named Billy also. I wish I knew more of who he was, to tell them stories. But we have pictures and I'm sure he sees us from where he is. I would love to hear from anyone that may have know my Father. I am sorry for eveyone's loss and appreciate the sacrifices our military makes for our freedoms. Thank you Dad, I hope to meet you finally someday. God Bless.
Thank you,
William Russey
lrussey74@hotmail.com [04FEB2013]
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Notice!
Shipmate Information Request #26
Posted: February 20th, 2013
Updated: February 20th, 2013
OK Shipmates, you came through times already! You provided information for family members about their fathers and husbands that that Official Channels couldn't provide. Here is number  :
My Father, ATN3 Francisco "Frank" VEGA, was lost during the VP-9 Mishap on April 7th, 1965. I was only 9 months old when he died and have always wanted to know about him. I would like to hear from anyone that may have known my Father. Thank you.
Frank Vega, Jr.
frankvega@ymail.com [20FEB2013]
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Notice!
VP-62 Recruitment!
Posted: September 3rd, 2009
Updated: January 3rd, 2011
Navy Reserve VP-62, NAS Jacksonville, Florida
Are you on active duty and thinking of getting out, but do not want to lose your vested interest in government service? Have you recently separated, but still have that desire to fly? Did you get out years ago, but miss the camaraderie of military service? Then consider serving our Nation as a Navy Reserve Aircrewman!! Presently, Patrol Squadron SIXTY-TWO (VP-62), a Navy Reserve Squadron located at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, has openings for you to do that very thing!!! The Broadarrows fly the P-3C AIP and BMUP aircraft in operations involving Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Identification/Surveillance/Reconnaissance, and Battle Group Support all over the world...right alongside our active duty counterparts!! VP-62 is still operational and programmed to fly the P-3C Orion until at least 2014 and the P-8 Poseidon is on our horizon!! Plus, we go on the road to places like El Salvador, Sicily, Japan, Guam and Hawaii just to name a few!!
Don't live in the Jacksonville area? Do not let that deter you from joining!! Opportunities are available for drill weekend pickups at Opa Locka, FL; Ft. Myers, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; Greenville/Spartanburg, SC; and Andrews AFB, MD. Plus, depending on your location, other pick up sites can be added like New Orleans, LA and Atlanta, GA depending upon the response!!!
We have the following part-time (SELRES) positions open!!!
Naval Aircrewman Operator (AWO) - We are currently looking for both acoustic and non-acoustic operators holding the P-3C AW NEC 7841/7861. Any other AWV/AWS/AWR willing to change rates/platforms (if you have the time, we'll get you in VP-30) as well as other rated enlisted personnel with a proven record of superior performance, willing to change rates to AWO (7841/acoustic or 7861 non-acoustic) and commit one year to active duty to attend Naval Aircrew School in NAS Pensacola, Florida and initial AWO qualification training at VP-30 in NAS Jacksonville, Florida will be considered. Be aware that although the standard commitment is one drill weekend a month, there could be times where additional days could be asked of you.
Naval Aircrewman Mechanical (AWF) - Specifically 8251 Flight Engineers (FE)- Either previously qualified flight engineers or AT, AE, AD, AM, AME, or AO rated and Aircrew-qualified personnel with a proven record of superior performance willing to commit nine months on active duty to attend initial P-3C Flight Engineer qualification training at VP-30 in NAS Jacksonville, Florida. Here are the VP-62 Points of Contact if you are interested in becoming a Broadarrow!!
P.S. We are looking for maintenance rates too!! Preferably those with P-3 backgrounds, but if you are willing and have the time, we will make every effort to get you the schools you need!!
NC1 John Baker
Command Career Counselor
COMM (904)542-5182
DSN 942-5182
john.c.baker@navy.mil [Updated 03JAN2011]
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Notice!
VP Related Employment Opportunities!
Posted: August 21st, 2008
Updated: February 3rd, 2009
VP Related Employment Opportunities...
SEE: VP Related Employment Opportunities! [Updated: 03FEB2009]
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Dad!
