Warbird Information Exchange

Does anyone have a line on PV-2 parts? What happened to the Hirth aircraft and parts? I offered to help a museum locate some parts for a static. Any help me is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Patrick

Hi Patrick,

The Wisconsin Wing of the CAF is currently disposing of their PV-2D project. I think you'll find contact info at their website.

www.cafwi.org

Happy hunting!

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Dan,

Thanks for the info. I will give them a call.

Patrick

Dan why is the CAFWI disposing of their PV-2 project? Since the Gary airport kicked the CAF Great Lakes Wing out of their hangar they have been looking for a place to go. They were discussing the possibility of joining with the Wisconsin group, but the WI group said that they have set aside their money for the PV-2 and wouldn't be able to afford another aircraft let alone a C-47 and JU-52. Was the talk of the disposing of the aircraft fairly recent?

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

Possibly a misstatement. What the WI wing has done is turned the PV2 back to HQ/Midland. Midland will be reassigning the airplane to another wing. Several have expressed interest.

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Regards,

Jase
www.b26marauder.com
"I'm having a BLAST!!" 2007 CAF Wing Staff Conference

RIP Gary Austin..always in our hearts

Hmm...

Jase and Warbirdguy, Headquarters put the PV-2 up for reassignment back in February. The reassignment period lasted 6 months. The Harpoon was not reassigned during that period to any other CAF wing or squadron, so I'm guessing those "several interested parties" weren't so interested after all.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

The old 1 guy to work on it and 25 guys to fly it routine

Hello,

Dan is 100% right on this deal. Very sad indeed. That PV-2D will most probably never fly again.

Ron

As far as getting this Harpoon flyable, I don't think Ron meant it is an impossibility, but rather an improbability. This project includes two freshly-restored R-2800's, props and instruments, military goodies like turret and radar equipment, and yet...

Nobody loves a Harpoon. Honestly, if you were responsible for the feeding of two R-2800's, would you choose to operate a Harpoon over a B-25, A-26, or F7F? It's an obscure aircraft with a combat record unfamiliar to most, and they just don't carry much market value.

Don't get me wrong--I think the Harpoon is worthy of the effort and expense. I've shed my own blood (literally!), sweat, and tears on the bird in Waukesha. But honestly, if it was your money, would you sink it into a Harpoon as your first choice (no offense intended to our own Mr. Savage)?

(Not ranting--but there's a reason not many are flying)

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

It seems several of you misunderstood my post. What I was trying to get at was the CAF Great Lake Wing (Chicago) was discussing the possibility with PV-2 Group of joining forces so the C-47 and JU_52 of the CAF GLW would have a place to go. PV-2 group would like to join forces but at the time (May or June 2005) they didn't have the funds to support both the C-47 and JU-52 only the PV-2 project. Hope this clears things up.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

Hi Mike,

I didn't misunderstand your question, I'm just not in a position to answer your question(s) definitively.

I surrendered the skin on my knuckles on many Saturdays during the 90's on this Harpoon, so I have at least a passing interest in her immediate future. I am not presently a member of the WI Wing, so I can't really provide insight into whatever communications have taken/are taking place between the two wings.

I can't imagine that the folks of the Great Lakes Wing didn't realize the PV-2D was already up for reassignment last summer. My guess is that the WI Wing still had certain financial obligations to various entities, not the least being the folks who completed the recent engine overhauls.

As to the future of both wings: The bunch in Waukesha own their hangar, but have neither interior nor ramp space to park a C-47 and Ju-52. I believe that Kenosha, WI has been mentioned as a potential spot for both groups to relocate: Definitely a warbird-friendly locale, but I have no idea what the logistical issues would be.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.