Friday Fun: Review of Aerial Firefighting Missions in a Lockheed P2V (2015 to 2017)

Direct link to 2022 video from Bob Web on YouTube

I hope you enjoy this video from Bob Webb (air tanker pilot) of aerial fire bombing missions in 2015 to 2017. I have a special place for Lockheed P2V's as this was one of the first air tankers I learned about when I devoted this blog to aerial firefighting. It is possible that I shared this video earlier but it doesn't hurt to share it again.

79th Anniversary of Lockheed P2 Neptune

Direct link to video from Weapons Detective on YouTube 

Direct link to video from Scorched Sky Productions on YouTube

I lucked out in looking at today's post from Neptune Aviation on  Facebook where they shared that today, May 17th, is the 79th anniversary of the Lockheed P2 Neptune. A great aircraft who did good service during the Cold War and later as an air tanker. I have many posts on the Lockheed P2V tanker that you may find under this tag. I will never forget Neptune Aviations P2V Tankers, I cut my teeth on these Air Tankers when I started this blog in 2009, see this post where I offered my reflections on this Tanker. Neptune Aviation's last P2V Air Tanker was retired in October 2017. 

Friday Fun: Flying Wildfires in a Lockheed P2V

Enjoy this video from Bob Webb that I am embedding. Bob calls this video "a review of slurry bomber firefighting missions in a Lockheed P2V." The time frame is from 2015 to 2017.  Allow about 6.5 minutes to watch the video.

Direct link to video from Bob Webb on YouTube

Airtankers from 2010

 I have been thinking recently of the Airtankers that were still flying when I started this blog in 2009, in particular the P2V from Neptune Aviation and the Lockheed P-3 Orion from Aero Union. Both are no longer flying. The last P2V was retired a couple of years ago and Lockheed shut down operations about 11 years ago. I wanted to share a video featuring these tankers and remembered a video by Alan Simmons.

In this eight minute video by Alan Simmons shot around 2009 and 2010 you will see the Grumman S2-T flown by CAL Fire (still in service), P2V Neptune, Lockheed P-3 Orion, Canadair CL-215 and 415 (I belive the 415 is still in service, not sure about the 215), and a DC-10 tanker (the DC-10 tanker in this video is no longer flying but 10 Tanker Carrier has a fleet DC-10 tankers flying fires). Alan ends with a section of what were historic tankers at the time he shot this video. Some of you may remember this video as I have shared it here before on a couple of occasions. It is worth seeing again.

Direct link to video by Alan Simmons on YouTube

Wildfire History: Lockheed P2V airtanker operations in 2017.

 I got side tracked yesterday with some unexpected business and was unable to make my usual Wednesday blog entry. I will be tied up with that same business this afternoon but I diid want to take a few moments to post. In this case, this is a video from Bob Webb showing the pilots view of air operations in steep terrain behind a lead plane. Enjoy

Direct link to video on YouTube from Bob Webb

Memories of air tankers in 2009 (part 2 of 2)

Direct link to video by Bob Webb on YouTube

Among the air tankers that I watched on either news streaming or YouTube in the early days of my blog in 2009 into 2010 was the Lockheed P2-V air tankers that were then under contract with Neptune Aviation. By 2017 Neptune had retired the last of their P2-V air tankers from active service, most are now in museum's around the United States. Neptune Aviation has always had a nice website chock full of information, the have a webpage about their history and a list of museums that have one or two of Neptune's historic P2-V I hope to see one of these historic air tankers in person one day. 

Neptune is now flying BAe-146 air tankers on contract with the US Forest Fire Service, other state agencies and internationally, go here for more information. I will write more about Neptune's BAe-146 air tankers sometime this week.

I close with a tribute to the P2-Vs upon the retirement of the last of Neptunes active P2-V's in 2017. This video is by Scorched Sky Productions, I shared this video and the video from Bob Webb in previous posts on my blog.

Direct link to video by Scorched Sky Productions on YouTube

Air Tanker History: Neptune Aviation's P2-V Lockheed Tanker 14 (retired Oct. 2017)

I am in the mood for a little bit of recent tanker history and remembered this video, by Bob Webb featuring the now retired Tanker 14. See my April 1st article for a little more about the retirement of Neptune's P2-V tankers. Enjoy, the video is a little over eight minutes long.

Direct link to You Tube video by Bob Webb

Reflections on the Lockheed P2-V Air Tanker

In regards to large air tankers, especially early on, I cut my teeth watching the Lockheed P-3 Orion and the Lockheed P2-V fly fires, for specifications see this April 2009 article. I have benefitted from have the chance to correspond with a couple of former pilots of the P2-V. Through watching videos of the P2-V tankers in action along with my correspondence with a couple of her former pilots, I gained a little familiarity with these air tankers. Through my correspondence with P2-V and other tanker pilots, I grew to appreciate how complicated it is to fly air tankers.

Neptune Aviation was the last contractor to have P2-Vs on national contract here in the United States. The last of their P2-Vs were retired from aerial firefighting in 2017, many are in museums, see Neptune Aviation Yesterday for more information. Neptune Aviation has a nice photo gallery, called P2V retirement, that you may enjoying viewing.

To the P2-V air tankers and your pilots, your sacrifices and service in fighting wildfires from the air in aid of the wildland firefighters on the ground will not be forgotten.


Direct link to video from Scorched Sky Productions on Youtube

Neptune Aviation Tankers with some SEATs

I have been writing this blog on aerial wildland firefighting for almost ten years now. I began writing about wildfires in fall of 2008 moving into learning about and writing about tankers and helicopters used to fight wildfires in early 2009. When I was first wrote about airtankers in 2009, among the tankers that I first learned about were Neptune Aviation's P-2V tankers and Aero Union's P-3 tankers. Both of these contractors had Exclusive Use Contracts with the US Forest Service in those days. The US Forest Service terminated it's contract with Aero Union's P-3 tankers in August 2011.

Neptune Aviation is still around but the last of their Lockheed P-2V Tankers retired at the end of the 2017 season. Neptune Aviation started flying BAe-146 tankers a few years, now their entire tanker fleet are BAe-146 tankers.

For no particular reason, I have been thinking of the Neptune Aviation tankers that I have known, the now retire P-2V tanker and the BAe-146 tankers. So I am sharing some videos with you today, with some SEATs thrown in. Gotta love the very versatile SEATs.


Direct link to video


Direct link to video


Direct link to video


Direct link to video


Direct link to video

Reflections on learning about aerial firefighting almost 10 years ago

After  i wrote about P-2 Neptune tankers the other day, I spent some time reflecting on first learning about the business of aerial firefighting nine and ten years ago. I am eternally grateful to some now good friends who helped me learn about the business. I spent a lot of time watching live stream coverage of some of the larger wildfires that were burning in southern California in mid to late 2009. A couple of times, I was watching the live stream as I was exchanging e-mails with one of my former tanker pilot friends. He would share a little about what was going on. I enjoyed seeing the tankers and helos in action, working to help the wildland firefighters on the ground. As they say, one picture is worth a thousand words. The video that I am sharing below is from Alan Simmons of Firestorm HD Production. He uploaded the video to Youtube in April 2010. I believe that at least some of the fire footage is from 2009, perhaps there is footage of some of the wildfires that I was following in 2009. Alan’s footage is a highlight video from a longer DVD that he put out, go here for more information on the video that is available for purchase only. 

I love watching videos like Alan’s of tankers working a wildfire. Elegance in action. What they do is very dangerous. Please remember that if it is very windy or the smoke is very bad tankers and helicopters may not be flying the fire because it is not safe to do so.

The video from Alan Simmons that I have embedded below has about eight minutes of highlights from his 80 minute video. In the first half, you will see footage of the S-2T, P-2 Neptunes, P-3 Orion, Canadair 215/415, and the DC-10. The final three or four minutes includes footage from 1999 of now historic tankers including some footage of T-123 which crashed in 2002.

Direct link to video from Alan Simmons on Youtube

Remembering P-2 Neptune Tankers, retired but not forgotten

The last of Neptune Aviation's Lockheed P-2 Neptune tankers were retired in the fall of 2017. When I began this blog on aerial wildland firefighting in late 2008, I learned about what tankers can do through seeing videos, photographs and some livestream of you and your cousin, Aero Unions Lockheed P-3 Orions fly fires.

You and your crew worked hard over the years, you saved a lot of lives. We lost some of you and your crew -- T-11 T-42, T-9, T-4, T-8 -- your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

We lost Minden Air T-99. Minden Air T-55 and T-48 were both damaged in an incident, the crew survived. All were Lockheed P-2 Neptunes

These three videos by scorched sky productions honor the service of Neptune Aviation's Lockheed P-2 Neptune tankers.

It is my loss that I never had the privilege of seeing any of you in person while you were in service flying fires. Some of you are at air museums, perhaps I'll see you there.


Direct link to video by Scroched Sky Production


Direct link to video by Scroched Sky Production



Direct link to video by Scroched Sky Production

Lockheed P2-V tanker in action (cockpit view) over Moses Lake WA (2016)

I shared a video from Bob Webb of a Lockheed P2-V tanker in action late last spring, May 5th to be precise. Here is another video from Bob Webb, this time shot from the cockpit of a P2-V tanker working the South Ward Fire near Moses Lake Washington in 2016. I love this video for the great footage, 12 minutes) shot from the cockpit, giving me a rare view from the cockpit of an air tanker flying a fire. Not the same as being there in person, but as close as I will ever get. Great footage!

As many of you may know, the 2017 wildfire season is the last season that Neptune Aviation's Lockheed P2-V tankers flew. The tankers were retired at the end of the season, see my October 2nd post. I understand that a couple of Neptune's P2-V Neptune's were brought out of retirement to help with the October 2017 northern California wildfires

Some of you may be interested in yet another of Bob's videos that Bill Gabbert shared on Fire Aviation in April 2017. I'd recommend watching that video as well.


Direct link to video from Bob Webb

Good bye Lockheed P2-V Neptunes

On Saturday, September 30th, Neptune Aviation had a farewell party for the four remaining P2-V Neptune Tankers, all are being retired this season. As I understand it, one P2-V may still be on contract and will be retired at the end of her contract.

Thank-you all the P2-Vs and her crews -- pilots, co-pilots, ground support, etc. who have flown wildfires over the years.

Some of you did not make it to retirement, tankers 7, 4, 99, 9, 42, 11, and two tanker number 8's were lost in the line of duty. For a complete list of fatalities in Lockheed P2V tankers see Bill Gabbert's June 7, 2012 article on Wildfire Today, Bill has listed a 1992 crash (ferry flight) with no tanker number. You and your crews are flying in favorable tail winds. May you rest in peace, and condolences to your friends, families and co-workers.

You have flown countless numbers of wildfires, saved many lives, and saved many residences and businesses. You did all this in support of the crews on the ground. Your service will not be forgotten. It will be strange to not see you flying after the end of the season. I will miss you!

Neptune Aviation continues to fly BAe-146 jet tankers.

The Missoulian had a nice report (with a photo gallery) on the farewell party (which includes the video that I am embedding below) which may be found here.

Edited on October 4th to add: I only just now went to Bill Gabbert's Fire Aviation site and found that Bill posted a nice article (with a link to a video) about Neptune Aviation's retirement of their P2V air tankers


Direct link to video from Missoulian

Here is a nice report on Neptune's farewell party for the P2-V's from KPAX


Direct link to video from KPAX

A Neptune P2-V tanker in action (April 25, 2017)

I literally just saw a great video from Bob Webb of a Lockheed Neptune P2-V tanker in action. This is one of Neptune Aviation's P2-V's, T-14 (Webb/Bailey). You will see footage on the ramp and in action. Great camera placement. Bob just uploaded the video to Youtube on May 4th. Fire footage was shot on April 25 over the Sawmill Fire. Ramp footage at KFHU (Fort Huachuca Air Attack Base, Arizona). Second Mechanic and Videography by Dan Smith. Crew Chief: Dan Elliott.

Nice work guys, thanks for sharing this video with us. Stay safe and thanks for all you do to keep us safe.


Direct link to video from Bob Webb on Youtube

About Neptune Aviation in 2015

Neptune Aviation has submitted a bid for the current round of Next Generation large firefighting aircraft. They expect to have six BAe-146 tankers ready to fly fires by June. It is anticipated that awards under this contract will be awarded in early May witht the expectation that tankers under this contract will be ready to fly in the first day of the mandatory availability period. Please this April 2nd article from The Missouian for more information.

Neptune Aviation has six P2-V Neptunes and one BAe-146 tanker on contract under a Legacy Contract with the US Forest Service (Fire Aviation on March 25, 2015 and November 23, 2014

Here are two videos from Neptune Aviation that I thought you might enjoy looking at.

I shared this 2014 video from Neptune Aviation in a video of the week post sometime last year. I don't know about you, but I like reruns. Great airplanes with a nice soundtrack.


direct link to Neptune Aviation video on Youtube

And here is the 2015 video from Neptune Aviation, just published April 6, 2015


direct link to Neptune Aviation video on Youtube

Elegance in Action: Tankers over Nevada Widlfires

And now for something beautiful and elegant, airtankers in action. In this video from airailimages you will see one of Neptunes BAe-146 tankers, some seats, and a Neptune P-2V dropping on a fire near Winnemucca NV on July 3, 2013. The videographer is Frederick Johnsen.

I recently saw this video on Fire Aviation, loved it and am sharing it with you.



direct link to video

T-06 taking off at KPRC (Prescott AZ)

direct link to video by MongoLikeCandy01

Gotta love the sound of those engines! :-) Perhaps going to drop on on the Doce Fire (link to inciweb, may be slow loading) currently burning near Prescott AZ?

P2-V cockpit footage

Shortly after I devoted this blog to aerial wildland firefighting in early 2009, I wrote a series on the Lockheed P2-V tanker. As a part of that series, a devoted an entry to some link's from Neptune Aviation's website of the photo galleries that had up at that time and a link to 16 minutes of footage from a P2-V tanker flying fires. Both links were dead, and I just updated those links. I enjoyed watching the footage again and thought that some of you might enjoy the footage as well.

direct  link to video

Springs Fire (CA) - helos, a dozer, and T-44 dropping

direct link to video - helos dipping


direct link to video - helos dropping and dozer footage


direct link to video - a dozer, helos, fire footage, lead plane with smoke, T-44 dropping ( at 7:02)

I've been busy with some other work today, so I thought you'd enjoy these videos of the Springs Fire, which according to the latest update from CAL FIRE has burned 24,451 acres with 95 percent containment. Full containment is expected on May 9.

A quick visit to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Ramp

When we landed at Reading Airport yesterday (our destination on my scenic flight), we taxiied to one of the FBOs, which happened to be next door to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (MAAM). I suspect that the pilot may have known that the MAAM was next to that particular FBO when he chose that one. Anyway, we parked the Cessna, and as I was preparing to get out of the plane, I looked out the window and saw the MAAM Lockheed P2V-7 (SP-2H) Neptune in full military configuration sitting on the MAAM ramp. My jaw dropped. So, we got out and I took the photos that you see here, including photos of their Eastern Airlines Martin 4-0-4 'Silver Falcon' and their Vickers-Armstrong V745D "Viscount" turbo prop  (no separate link on the MAAM page, but she is featured on the MAAM ramp webpage

 I am embarrassed to say that in being drawn to the P-2, I did not go and pay homage to their Douglas R4-D6 "Skytrain", the naval version of the Douglas DC-3 passenger plane. So, I am suitably embarrassed at my oversight. My loss, but there will be another opportunity to see her, as I hope to fly to Reading again. So, to the grand ole dam on the MAAM ramp, please forgive my rudeness in not going up to greet you.

Lockheed P2-V7 on Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Ramp

Lockheed P2-V7 on Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Ramp

Lockheed P2-V7 on Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Ramp

Lockheed P2-V7 on Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Ramp

Vickers-Armstrong V745D "Viscount" on Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Ramp

Eastern Airlines Martin 4-0-4 'Silver Falcon' on Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Ramp