California Poons

[GARY HILTON]

So far, I have identified 7 PV-2 Harpoons in the state....Please correct me if there are any more complete airframes!
#1..N7483C....Navy Bu No 37202...Lockheed s/n 15-1168

Located at Chino, Ca..owned by Kermit Weeks

#2 N6855C 37466 15-1432 Located at Rialto Airport...owned by Aero Trader





#3 N1448 37512 15-1478 El Mirage, Ca. This Harpoon was converted by Ralco to the executive transport...known as the Super Harpoon..the only one (PV-2) done by Ralco...Airframe was lengthened, and a few extra doors added...was not pressurized...

[GARY HILTON]

#4 N7414C 37462 15-1428 This PV is at Eagle Field, the pictures were sent to me from Mr Davis....The owner of this bird





#5 NL10PV 37216 15-1182 Owned by Duncan Miller and Earl Bennidict, and is at Schellville, Ca


Both photos were taken from the internet

#6 NL20P 37524 15-1490 Is also owned by Duncan and Earl but is located at the airport in Vacaville






#7 N6657D 84062 15-1606 Owned by Ralph Johnson...not the same Ralph J. as the one that did the conversions on the Harpoons...His grandson sent me the pictures of this PV that is in Middletown, Ca

[Ethan]

I know the bird at Rialto real well , I grew up climbing inside of it. It used to look better too

[GARY HILTON]

BTW....the last PV...N6657D is one of the rare "D" model Harpoon...Of the 535 PV-2's built...the first 30 were re-designated PV-2C...the next 470 were originally designated as PV-2...and the last 35 built were the PV-2D..At this time, I believe there are possibly 7 "D" models surviving, but not certain of that fact yet...there are still a few mysteries to solve in the Harpoon world...After the war, some Harpoons were re-equipped, and had the turrets, guns, and radar removed...and re-designated as PV-2T.
This mod was done on at least two aircraft at Corpus Christi, Tx...37234 a PV-2...and 37633..a PV-2D...and both were concidered PV-2T...go figure...anyway, I believe there were a few more Poons changed to this designation....Incidentally, my PV..37234 is also listed in her Navy records as a PV-2T2???

[kalamazookid]

Am I right in assuming that none of these aircraft are flyable?

How many are actively being restored? Any of them? The Super Harpoon would make for a really interesting restoration.

[GARY HILTON]

Matt,
All of these Harpoons could be flown...just add cash!...The Chino PV flew not too long ago.....the Vacaville PV last flew about 10 yrs ago...believe close to same with the Schellville Poon....Maybe Mr. Davis could tell us when their PV was last flown...
Weeks' PV has been put on hold...for how long?...He has another PV in Mesa, Az., that was last flown about three years ago...don't know which of the two will be the first restored, if and when the time comes....The PV's of Duncan and Earl are for sale
Next up will be the PV's of AZ....8 in that state, that I know of positively