Chasing down aircraft records

Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:11 pm

I was wondering if any WIX'ers could lead me in the right direction for trying to find the Naval records on PV-2 c/n 15-1200 Bu # 37234. As all the logs are missing for this airframe, it's become somewhat difficult to trace the individual civil history of this a/c. I have heard from two separate people that this Poon has very few hours on it....not much more than 100 hrs....One of the people that told me this, is a former owner of this a/c...Bill Dempsey.....I would like to hear from anyone, the history on any Harpoon, Ventura, Hudson, L-18, Lodestar, Learstar, or any of the Howard conversions....

Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:15 pm

First thing is to get the FAA data if it ever had an N number. Takes a couple of minuets to order the CD with all the records on it that the feds have and it's only a few bucks. Probably will take several weeks as it's file is most likely in the archives.

Second is order the military record. Rob M. or any of the guys that deal with NavAir history can point you to the right location to get the Navy records. These records will probably only be very general, in giving unit assignments and dates, but from there you can delve into the unit history and try and come up with more data. One good research site is www.vpnavy.com .

I've got the military records on my Fairchild and Stinson, and the data is pretty sparse, but gives me some direction in doing further info chasing.

Hope this helps..

BTW....Scott, the contact info for AAC/AAF/AF and Navy aircraft records might be worth posting as a stickie...

Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:02 pm

The FAA CDs are 10 bucks and take a week to get. They contain all registration info and maintenance records. I've done it several times. Any N number.

Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:46 pm

The week timeframe makes the assumption that there has been any activity with the particular file since they started the digitizing project. If there hasn't been, it can take up to a couple of weeks to get the file digitized and the CD out. The other thing is if the online order system can't find the file, then you have to either phone in your order or write a snail-mail to them instead. When I called on my Aero Commander, they told me that wait times were about 3-6 weeks at that point, but that has been a number of months back. They did tell me that as time and workload permitted, all the files would end up digitized, but it might take a few years before it was all done.

Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:22 am

I have a number of links on my website that I use semi-regularly. You and others might find them useful...

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Links.php#ResearchAids

Included there is a link to a site that tells you how to obtain the USN record cards.

Mike

Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:19 pm

Cvairwerks wrote:The week timeframe makes the assumption that there has been any activity with the particular file since they started the digitizing project. If there hasn't been, it can take up to a couple of weeks to get the file digitized and the CD out. The other thing is if the online order system can't find the file, then you have to either phone in your order or write a snail-mail to them instead. When I called on my Aero Commander, they told me that wait times were about 3-6 weeks at that point, but that has been a number of months back. They did tell me that as time and workload permitted, all the files would end up digitized, but it might take a few years before it was all done.

I just ordered and received two diffent N numbers of B-25s that haven't had activity for years and it took a week to get them. Never ASSUME anything well I guess you know the rest...

Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:01 pm

Hi Dan: It may be that they elected to do all the B-25's in one shot, as someone was wanting records from one or more at the time. It probably has a lot to do with workload there I'd bet too. Who knows how the Feds determine the priorities to getting this all done. The main thing is that it is being done. I wish NASM would get motivated and budget for converting all their files to electronic format. They have a bunch of factory stuff on the Fairchild that I want to copy, but it's going to take a couple of weeks of hard core scanning to get it into digital form. There is stuff spread out in 80+ boxes of factory records, books, and the like.

I haven't ordered them for my L-5 yet, as I've got to located the N number it was flown under. I need to get on with that and running down all the court paperwork that has tangled it up.[/i]

Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:14 pm

Hey, thanks for the help all...I guess I should have been more specific on what I was looking for....sorry....The N number assigned...N7458C..was more than likely assigned along with all the other Harpoons coming out of the Litchfield, Az. Navy storage yard, to the civilian sector....I will do the FAA search to track down previous owners etc. I am more interested in finding out the military records on this particular airframe, and any of the other surviving PV-2s. It would be interesting to find out if any of the PV's are still in existanse, that served in Alaska, and might possibly have a combat record