Departing Neptune

I have very little information about the subject of today's post, Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune 127725. The 8x10 glossy has no information on the back, and Joe Baugher's BUNo listing has no entry for this airframe.

The plane shows up in a couple of 1956 photos taken in Iwakuni, Japan at this VP-6 squadron page; but the nose number doesn't match, nor do the colors, so clearly we're dealing with a different squadron and timeframe.

This Neptune was originally built as a P2V-5, and later modified to the "F" configuration with the addition of the two J34 turbojet engines.

Since the inlet doors on the J34s are open and the gear is in transit, I presume that this is a take-off shot.

If there are any Neptune experts in the house, please share any knowledge you might have on this airframe!

Requiem for a Neptune Crew

Tanker 11 flying from Fox Field on the 2009 Station Fire.

We learned today that Neptune Aviation's P2V Neptune Tanker 11 crashed yesterday, Sunday June 3, in southern Utah, with the loss of both of her crewmembers. They were flying against the White Rock Fire near the Nevada-Utah border. We mourn their loss, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and the Neptune Aviation and USFS crews that worked with these brave pilots. You will not be forgotten.

Tanker 11 flying from Fox Field on the 2009 Station Fire.