148362 / N362RR

One of the last of the Neptunes produced for the USN, 148362 (c/n 7260) was accepted at Burbank, CA on   30 Nov 61.  This P2V-7S served with the fleet in VP-24, VP-18, VP-7, VP-23.   In 1968, she started her reserves duties serving with NAS Seattle, NARTU Whidbey, VP-69, VP-67.  Retired to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 14 May 77.  In 1987, 148362 was wearing N362RR and was registered to the University of Nevada - Reno.  The aircraft appeared externally complete albeit in need of a good washing.  Like so many SP-2Hs that entered the civilian registry, 148362 eventually found its way to Neptune Aviation Services.  In 2013 N362RR was registered to Nash Richard P. Nash, Missoula, MT.  Photos from author's collection.   

Accepted as P2V-7 at Burbank 4 Dec 1959, 147949 remained with Lockheed until Apr 62 (listed as a P2V-7S from Jan 1960).  This aircraft made its way east.  History records list time at NAS Corpus Christi then on to VX-1 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron based in Key West.  147949 was sent to VP-7, VP-23 and then a return to the west coast to join the Reserves at NAS Seattle and finally VP-69.   Retired from the USN, the aircraft went to MASDC Davis-Monthan AFB 22 Sep 76.  

I was fortunate to be able to visit Aviation Classics on a chilly March morning in 1991.  Al Redick of Aviation Classics graciously allowed me to climb into the aircraft to have a look around.  When I asked where the J-34s were, he mysteriously said that were being used in a "project".  About 18 months later I was visiting Len Parker and Janet Shepardson of Minden Air and they mentioned that Al has loaned them the J-34's for Tanker 99 (147961/N99MA).