A89-303

 




Type: L-426 Neptune P2V-5/P-2E
MSN: 426-5093
Previous Identities: 133646
A89-294

History:

06APR51 Allotted serial number A89-294.
15AUG52 To be renumbered A89-303.
06OCT52 Received at 11SQN Pearce ex USA.
30JAN53 Received at Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) ex 11SQN for armament acceptance trials.
05MAY53 Issued to 11SQN ex ARDU.
Mark 2 Conversion
31MAR55
Received at 2AD ex 11SQN. (Source: 2)
05MAY55
Received at 11SQN ex 2AD. (Source: 2)
26MAY55
"Verbal advice received from W/Cdr Barrett at Department of Air that this aircraft has been selected for operations in Malaya." Aircraft selected were A89-303, 309, 310, 311 and 312. There is no further mention of Malaya so evidently these plans were dropped. (Source: 2)
Mark 4 Conversion
24AUG59 Departed for USA for Jet Pod Mod.
07DEC59 Returned from the USA.
31MAY60 Departed 11SQN to CAC, Avalon for Mod 208.
08JUN60 Allotted 11SQN ex CAC, Avalon.
31AUG60 Received at CAC, Avalon ex 11SQN for trial installation of Mod 201.
04NOV60 Received at 11SQN ex CAC, Avalon.
17FEB61 Received at CAC, Avalon ex 11SQN for Mod 201.
17MAR61 Received at 11SQN ex CAC, Avalon.
08JAN65 Air Test at Richmond. This is the last mention of A89-303 in the 11SQN ORB.
NOTE: For several months in this period, serial numbers are rarely recorded in the ORB.
16JUN67 Allotment for E Service requested.
23JUN67 E Service not available pending determination of aircraft to be converted to components.
03JAN68 Selected for use in development of runway rapid clearance techniques. On completion to be declared surplus.
08JAN68 Received at 2AD ex 11SQN for conversion to components.
01JUN71 Still held at Richmond as a Fire Training Aid. INST No 4. Aircraft was used in runway clearance trials.
04JUL74 Still held at 2AD, Richmond as a training aid.
26JUL76 2AD advise aircraft disposed of by Marrickville Salvage.

 


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
11 09AUG22
Added an image thanks to Eric Allen.
10 02SEP19
Added an image thanks to Eric Allen.
9 09JUN19
Added reference to a request for E Service on 16JUN67.
8 08JUN19
Added an image thanks to Eric Allen.
7 27FEB16
Added two images thanks to Maurice Ritchie. Image 1 Image 2
6 20NOV15
Added a reference to the Malayan Emergency 1950-60.
5 05NOV15
Added return date from the Jet Pod Mod.
4 02NOV15
Added a colour image of the aircraft thanks to John Bennett.
3 04JUN12
Added an image of the aircraft with a white top thanks to Mark Richardson.
Added an image of the aircraft in use for runway clearance trials thanks to Andrew Pendergast.
2 08JUN03
Added an image thanks to Bob Livingstone.



Return to the Neptune Menu



Return to the Lockheed File