A89-304 The Carpetbaggers

 

Type: L-426 Neptune P2V-5/P-2E
MSN: 426-5092
Previous Identities: 133645
A89-545

History:

06APR51
 Allotted serial number A89-545.
15AUG52
 Renumbered A89-304.
06OCT52
 Received 11SQN Pearce ex USA.
Mark 2 Conversion
09DEC55
 Received 2AD ex 11SQN for major servicing and double engine change. (Source: 2)
22MAR56
 Upper turret canopy damaged in a storm at Richmond. (Source: 2)
31JUL57
 Fitted with SARAH. (Source: 2)
01NOV57
 Received 11SQN ex 2AD. (Source: 2)
Mark 4 Conversion
25JUL59
 Departed for USA for Jet Pod Mod.
20OCT59
 Returned from the USA.
18JAN60
 Issued ex 2AD to CAC, Avalon for Mod 208.
04MAR60
 Received 11SQN ex CAC, Avalon.
31MAR61
 Received CAC, Avalon ex 11SQN for Mod 201.
29JUN61
 Received 11SQN ex CAC, Avalon.
17SEP61
 Photographed at Richmond still painted overall Sea Blue with no white top.
JAN65
 Noted carrying the name Sqn. Ldr. Jack Ingate Crew A with a Squadron Leader's pennant under the cockpit on the left side. Below this was the name The Carpetbaggers (a movie released in 1964) in black outlined in green. By this time the aircraft was painted light grey. (Source: John Bennett)
18MAY66
 Four Neptunes departed Richmond for NAS Sangley Point in the Philippines via Townsville, Port Moresby and Guam for SEATO Exercise SEA IMP. The aircraft were A89-304, 306, 307 and 309.
30MAY66
 The four aircraft flew from Sangley Point to Butterworth to continue Exercise SEA IMP.
07JUN66
 A89-306, 307 and 309 departed Butterworth for overnight stops at Cocos Island and Pearce returning to Richmond on 09JUN66. A89-304 departed for Bangkok for the SEA IMP debrief departing for Butterworth on 09JUN66 returning to Richmond via Cocos Island and Pearce on 12JUN66.
11JUL67
 Departed Richmond for a Mk 34 torpedo drop but the starboard engine failed shortly after take-off and the sortie was completed in A89-309. This is the last recorded operation by A89-304 in the 11SQN ORB but evidently not all flights were recorded as the Squadron was preoccupied with the introduction of the P-3B Orion.
18DEC67
 Received at Hawker de Havilland, Bankstown for storage pending disposal decision.
13APR68
 Hawker de Havilland, Bankstown advised that aircraft is to be converted to components and the residue declared for disposal.
NOV68
 Broken up at Bankstown.

 


Notes

  • The first two aircraft (A89-301 & 302) were commenced as P2V-4 but were brought up close to P2V-5 standard on the production line. Nevertheless, there were differences between these two aircraft and the following ten, principally in their electrical systems.
  • Initially, RAAF serials were "scrambled" for security reasons.
  • Mark 1 - Initially all P2V-5 were designated as Mark 1.
  • Mark 2 - With the removal of the nose and tail turrets and the addition of a clear nose and a MAD boom, the aircraft were redesignated as Mark 2.
  • Mark 3 - With the removal of the dorsal turret they were redesignated as Mark 3.
  • Mark 4 - With the addition of Westinghouse J34 jet pods they were redesignated P2V-5F Mark 4.
  • In 1962 the P2V-5 designation was changed to P-2E in line with USN designations.
  • All P2V-5/P-2E served with No 11 Squadron RAAF, initially at Pearce, WA but by 31MAY54 the squadron had completed its move to Richmond, NSW.

 

SOURCES
1
 NAA, RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 11 Squadron Nov 50 - Jun 67, Series number A9186.
2
 RAAF Form E/E.88 Record Card.


Issue Date Remarks
12 21SEP22
Added an image thanks to Eric Allen.
11 09AUG22
Added an image thanks to Eric Allen.
10 02NOV21
Added references from 09DEC55 to 29JUN61.
9 12JUL19
Added an image thanks to Phil Tracy.
8 10JUN19
Added a reference to Exercise Sea Imp in MAY-JUN66.
7 09JUN19
Added a reference at 11JUL67.
6 08JUN19
Added an image thanks to Eric Allen.
5 02MAR16
Added an image of the name The Carpetbaggers on the aeroplane. Thanks to Eric Allen.
4 27FEB16
Added an image thanks to Maurice Ritchie.
3 15NOV15
Added further details of the name "The Carpetbaggers" thanks to John Bennett.
2 05NOV15
Added return date from the Jet Pod Mod.
1 24NOV02
Original issue.





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