MORE FROM IAIN:
….. “The P-2 was in Marana, Pinal Air Park and the other two at Gila River Memorial.”
Desert airtanker photos in Arizona, ©1990 Iain Mackenzie
… and a bonus chart from Mike:
You’ll like this. I found this 1979 Sectional Aeronautical Chart. The current Sectional charts don’t show Ed’s Airpark and haven’t for over 25 years or so. In fact, they don’t show anything where Ed’s used to be, northwest of Picacho Army Heliport. However, on this 1979 chart excerpt, you can see the “X” of a closed airfield where Picacho Heliport is now, and just west of it is Ed’s Airpark, with an elevation of 1644 feet, a longest runway length of 5100 feet, and the field frequency of 122.8. … Who knew that some random middle-of-nowhere dirt strip airfield in Arizona, would become a big hit 34 years later?
A few more 1990 images from Iain … the two C-54s were at Avra Valley and the other two were at Gila River Memorial. I am sure I went into a compound at Mesa Falcon Field and shot more Hudsons but I can’t find the slides. I’m missing some from Davis Monthan and also LUKE AFB that I definitely remember having. I hope i will find them in a box in the future!
what is the Make/Model on the tail dragger?
I believe that is a PV-2 Harpoon, Al.
warbirdregistry.org/pv2harpoonregistry/pv2harpoon-37444.html
In the ’60s it was fitted with a fiberglass tank, then rebuilt with a metal tank in the late ’70s and flown as T-43. The airtanker was damaged in 1980 when the gear collapsed on landing and then was repaired. Later leased by T&G Aviation out of Chandler, Arizona, and flown as T-112. The PV-2 was withdrawn from use and placed in storage in 1987.
amazon.com/PV-Ventura-Harpoon-Units-World/dp/1841763837/
