We had taken the Harpoon to the Salinas air show and flew during the show instead of being a static display like we have in the past. It was a blast to wring out the Harpoon and show it off to the crowd.
We did shed some paint from the right rudder where it looked like the dope didn't adhere to the fabric. We have been wanting to replace the fabric and it was scheduled for this winter. Art came to the rescue and patched up our rudder for us so we could finish the show and the season. Now we need to buy or see if someone might donate the covering supplies for the rudders. It's always something; welcome to the world of paying with old aircraft! Funds are in short supply so we have to spend our limited money as wisely as possible.
After Salinas we had pretty much figured that our season was over as we didn't have any other shows scheduled. Veterans Day was coming up so we thought that the museum should do something to commemorate the day. This is what we are all about anyway. Ken had the crash truck scheduled for a parade in Escalon. I thought that we should use some of the fuel we have left for a special flight in the PV-2. How about we get as many PV vets up and flying at once while we overfly parades and other events going on in the area.
I asked our known PV vets if they were interested and they were up for it. We had three for sure and were still waiting to hear back from the other three. So we were a go.
Robin started the work to get the Harpoon all ready. It takes one guy a long day to prep the PV-2. Everything from the pre flight, servicing of fuel and oil and giving her a bath not to mention the checking the systems, hydraulics, accumulators etc. Lots to do to be sure she is all ready to go.
Robin is the future of Warbirds for me. He is a 20 year old kid with the Warbird illness all the way into his DNA. Its a blast to pass on the knowledge to him and my daughter Sydney. I think these two will be able to take Vintage Aircraft on to the future. Good kids!
Our vets came from around California. Here they are all together. Earl, Pat and John. Earl was with VPB-128, Pat PPB-135 and John was in VPB-136. Quite the good looking crew!
First up in the right seat was Pat. I wish I could have the vets in the left seat but the PV-2 only has brakes on the left side so sadly I can't let this seat go.
Pat and I running through the after engine start checklist
Pat syncing up the props when we were setting cruise power. I don't think he needed me here as he was doing great without me
Looks right at home doesn't he?
Our first flyover was set for San Jose where they have one of the largest Veterans Day parades around the country. The only problem was that it was right in the departure corridor for San Jose International Airport. No worries as the controllers there were more than friendly. I was announcing us as a WWII Navy Patrol Bomber with three WWII vets flying in a Veterans Day tribute. Some controllers didn't seem too interested and others were more than happy to help out.
You can see SJC in the background as Pat did a couple of turns over the parade route
I think he is looking for enemy aircraft!
Pat stopped at Moffett Field in a PV-2 on his way to Whidbey Island in the new Harpoons as they made their way back to Attu. Pat was one of the first to fly the PV-2 in combat.
We asked for a low approach to Moffett which is now a Federal Airfield. Actually it was just leased by Google. The controller said stand by and checked with base ops to get approval for the low approach but they turned us down. We over flew the runway anyway and took these shots of Pat and Moffett. The wood hangars number 2 and 3
And the skeleton of hangar 1 waiting for its new skin courtesy of Google
John lives in Ramona, California which is pretty much at the opposite end of the state. He didn't hesitate and hopped on Southwest and headed up to join us. John was an Aviation Ordnanceman and rode the top turret in PV-1's and PV-2's. When I asked if he wanted to try out his old crew position he jumped at the chance.
Now getting in the top turret is quite the challenge for a young 20 year old but 91 year old John made it up there quicker than I could have.
He had quite the time in the Martin turret
Check out his hat
Earl decided to stay in the radar ops seat for the whole flight. He was using his iPad to take photos and videos!
We then ventured up the bay toward the Navy installations and flew by Hayward which was a Navy Marine base, then by NAS Oakland and did a few turns around NAS Alameda. Lots of history at Alameda for sure and a lot of Harpoons went through there during and after WWII. The base is famous for being the place where the Doolittle Raiders loaded their B-25's up on the USS Hornet. Today the second USS Hornet is berthed there as a floating museum. Our very own Mark told me about the Veterans Day festivities going on at the Hornet which is what gave me the idea of the flight over the bay area. Thanks Mark.
Above and below are good views of NAS Alameda. In the photo below you can see the USS Hornet museum. Hey Mark!
While we were in the first turn over Alameda we had a crew change and John took the right seat and Pat took to the radio ops seat just behind the pilot and copilot. John did a great job flying and had a big smile the whole time
You can see NAS Alameda through the windscreen. The USS Hornet is just off of the left side with the other ships. The hangars and airfield are visible in the upper right. The road where the Doolittle B-25s were towed can be seen from the field toward the piers.
The airfield at NAS Alameda mostly used by Mythbusters these days. Downtown San Francisco on the right edge at the end of the bay bridge
John flew us around San Francisco where we checked out the Navy and military history as we flew over to let everyone listen to the Pratt & Whitney R2800's.
Just within a few miles you can find NAS Alameda, Treasure Island, the Presidio, Fort Baker, Fort Point, Crissy Field, Hamilton Field and lots of other military installations. Lots of military and especially Navy history around here.
We flew over most of it to pay our respects. Navy vets flying over their old installations
Heading down over Golden Gate Park toward downtown San Fransisco you can see Treasure Island. Fort Point, the Presidio and Crissy Field is off of our left wing. There were a few isolated services going on in the city but they had their parade on Sunday the 9th not on the 11th day of the 11th month at the eleventh hour
The piers visible are where the WWII ship USS Jeremiah O'Brien and the Submarine USS Pampanito are berthed.
A better view of Treasure Island where the Clippers operated from. The hangars visible on the right side of the island
After our Bay tour we headed back home to beautiful, charming Stockton...
Here is John emerging from the Harpoon with the same smile he had the whole time. He said he could hardly sleep the night before as he was so excited. A giddy 91 year old guy is a sweet thing to behold for sure.
Three happy Naval aviators. A good time was had by all
The guys took some flak themselves on the flight. 062 has a way of extracting some blood with every job. Pat shows his bandaged hand and bloodied pants and John took a hit to the elbow. Its not easy moving around in the old gal. Lots of equipment to poke holes in you
After the flight we went to Applebees and had a great late lunch. They pull out all of the stops for the vets there. Well done Applebees!
When Pat was leaving Attu at the end of the war the photo lab was burning lots of photos so Pat saved a lot of them. He has lost some over the years by loaning them out and they never came back but he has made an album which is awesome to say the least. The cool thing was he and John looking at it together as John didn't have any photos of his wartime experiences. John was in the next Squadron with Pat so they had a lot in common. Very cool!
Needless to say it was a wonderful Veterans day celebration. Getting these great guys up and flying over the old Navy installations and the parades turned out better than we expected for sure. We want to get all of the PV guys back up and flying whenever we can. If you know any PV crew that may want to participate please send them our way.
I hate to do it but I am told I must. We need to make a plea for any donations you all could send our way. We are doing all of this with volunteers on a half a shoestring budget so every dollar makes a big difference. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit (with heavy emphasis on the nonprofit part) so please spread the word to anyone who could help us to carry our our mission to preserve, restore and operate 062 and to get all of the PV vets flying before they cant come out to play with us. Donations are tax deductible as we are IRS approved for that.
We need funds to recover the rudders, getting the guns back in the nose and the usual fun things like insurance and operating cost. Anything helps.
Thanks Robert for your donation and thanks to anyone else, in advance, for your contributions.
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