Page Updated 10/19/10

Aircraft of VW-1
The PB-1Ws

CREDITS:
VPW-1, VP-51 & VX-4 data extracted from "B-17 in Blue" author Scott A. Thompson.
VC-11 Miramar Detachment data from George E Stewart VC-11 Miramar Detachment 1950-52.
VW-1 data from George E Stewart & Dan Ragan VW-1 1952-55 resp. 1954-56.
Special thanks to John Moehlenkamp VW-1 1966-68 for researching, updating, and editing.

COMPILED BY:
Ernest D. Ruff, USN Ret.:
    LTJG, VX-4 Miramar Detachment 1950 - LTJG,:
    VC-11 Miramar Detachment 1950-52:
    LTJG, LT, Plank Owner, VW-1 Barbers Point 1952-53:
    LT, LCDR, VW-1, Guam 1958-60

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Scott A. Thompson: "B-17 in Blue" Aero Vintage Books, 1993
Curtis K. Stringellow and Peter M. Bowers : Motorbooks Intnl, 1992
Scott A. Thompson: "Final Cut The Post War B-17 Flying Fortress: The Survivors:" Aero Vintage Books, 2010.

THE PB-1Ws1

The PB-1W1 is a modified B-17G. Modifications include the removal of all armament and armor; installation of the General Electric AN/APS-20 radar with its antenna in a large bulbous radome mounted under the fuselage covering the sealed bomb bay doors (BuNo 77234 had the radome mounted on the upper forward fuselage); advanced IFF; relay-radar transmitter and antenna; and advanced radio equipment so the aircraft could communicate with both the ship borne CICs and other aircraft. Four 270 gallon fuel tanks were also installed, two in each outer wing section.

Twenty two PB-1W1 were operational in the naval aircraft inventory. Thirteen of these were assigned to VW-1 at one time or another between 1950 when the initial cadre of the squadron was formed, and February 1955, when the last PB-1W1 was transferred out, all having been replaced by the Lockheed WV-2 Warning Star.

The Navy planned for 20 PB-1Ws1 and Bureau Numbers (BuNos) 77225-77244 were established for these aircraft.

In May 1945, the Navy received one B-17G from Douglas Aircraft2, via the US Army Air Force (USAAF). The aircraft was given BuNo 34114, modified to XPB-1W1 configuration, and assigned to a Special Project Unit at NAS Squantum,15 MA for use in electronics development projects. The BuNo came from a block of numbers originally established for some Boeing N2S-4 Stearman Kaydets which were not all received.

In July 1945, 20 B-17Gs, fresh from the Douglas Aircraft2 factory, were received by the USAAF and turned over (without any exchange of funds) to the Navy. In deference perhaps to the USAAF method of model designation which indicated the basic mission (B), design number (17), and design series (G) [but not the manufacturer], and the universal recognition of the aircraft as the Boeing Flying Fortress; the Navy assigned the model designation PB-1W, indicating the first model of a Patrol aircraft built by Boeing in Warning (radar) configuration.

Over an extended period of time 19 of these aircraft were modified to PB-1W1 configuration at the Naval Aircraft Modification Unit (NAMU16) at NAS Johnsville, PA. The twentieth (BuNo 77241) was never modified. It remained a PB-1, and was used for pilot training, cargo, and logistic operations. Ultimately it was used as a test bed in the development of the APS-35 radar.

After its special project assignment was completed, BuNo 34114 was overhauled and modified into standard PB-1W1 configuration to become the twentieth operational PB-1W.

In 1948 NADS16 converted two US Air Force B-17Gs into early warning radar configuration. They were designated EB-17Gs and used in a series of tests at Wright Field, OH to determine the capabilities of early warning radar. The tests were completed in 1950 and the aircraft transferred to the Navy. They were assigned BuNos 77137 and 77138, originally reserved for some Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateers. After overhaul and redesignation, they became the "newest" and final 2 of the 22 aircraft PB-1W1 fleet. Both of these aircraft had been manufactured and delivered to the USAAF in 1945. BuNo 77137 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft2.BuNo 77138 was manufactured by Lockheed-Vega Aircraft,19 and hence became the only Vega built PB-1W1 in the fleet.

The following pages list, by BuNo and manufacturers construction number (c/n), the 22 PB-1Ws of the Navy, the period of their service, their service before and after the VW-1 tour, and ultimate disposition, fate, or location today.

LEGEND
The example shown below indicates that a/c buno X8 was converted or overhauled in October 19X2 and assigned to VW-1 until February 19X5 when it was transferred to Litchfield Park.
BuNo. 19X2 19X3 19X4 19X5
   J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D
X8                   C - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - L                    
C Conversion or Overhaul F To/From FAETUPAC
L To/From Litchfield Park O To/From VC-11 Miramar Detachment
2 To/From VW-2 - Operated by VW-1

Aircraft with the suffix i include an image of that aircraft.

VW-1's PB-1W aircraft
  1952 1953 1954 1955
BuNo. J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D
34114 i                                     C - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - L                    
77137 i           O - - - - - - - - - - - - C                                                          
77138 i           O - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - C                                            
77226 i           O - - - - - - - - - - - - - C         C - - - - - - - - - - - L                      
77228 i                                 C - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - L                      
77231 i           O - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - L                                      
77232 i                                         C - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - L                      
77234 i                           2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - C                                      
77235 i                                                   C - - - - - - - - - - L                      
77240                         F - - - - - - - - - - - F                                              
 

BuNo 34114                                     c/n 32179

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-85-DL serial number 44-83538 on 2 April 1945.

  • 31 May 1945 - transferred to the Navy at NAMU16 Johnsville, PA for modification to XPB-1W1 configuration.
  • March 1946 - assigned to Project Cadillac IIa at NAS Squantum15, MA, where it was used in the development of radar (APS-20) systems.b
  • 1948 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul and modification to standard PB-1W1 configuration, then to VX-4 at NAS Quonset Point11, RI.
  • February 1952- transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul.
  • July 1953 - assigned to VW-1 at NAS Barbers Point4, T.H. as TE-2. (Side number determined by aircraft arrival and departure dates)
  • March 1954 - recoded TE-17 when WV-2 128323 arrived.
  • February 1955 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ for storage, the last PB-1W1 to leave VW-1.
  • 10 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 1,958 hrs).
  • 2 December 1957 - sold to American Compressed Steel Corp., Dallas, TX, registration number N7726B, and resold to Four M Inc. of Houston, TX.
  • 10 March 1961 - sold to Empress Adoriente SA, Lima, Peru; registration number OB-SAC-576.
  • 30 March 1963 - destroyed in a crash at Rioja, Peru.
TE-12 BuNo 77235 and TE-15, 77232 by Gene Rowley
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BuNo 77137                                     (c/n) 32104

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-85-DL serial number 44-83463 on 13 March 1945.

  • May 1946 - USAAF contracted with NAMU16 to modify it and one other aircraft to radar configuration similar to the Navy PB-1W. The aircraft was designated EB-17G and used in a series of tests to determine the capabilities of early warning radar.
  • March 1950 - transferred to the Navy and converted to PB-1W1 configuration.
  • January 1951 - assigned to VC-11 Miramar Detachment at NAAS Miramar6, CA. as ND-6.
  • 7 June 1952 - flown to NAS Barbers Point4 , T.H., along with three other VC-11 Detachment aircraft.
  • 18 June 1952 - transferred to VW-1 as TE-2.
  • July 1953 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3 , VA for overhaul, and placed in storage.
  • July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory and presumably scrapped, although there is no positive record of disposition.
77137_te-2 PB-1W. circa 1952. George E. Stewart
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BuNo 77138                                     c/n 17-8588

Built by Lockheed-Vega Aircraft19 in Burbank, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-100-VE serial number 44-85679 on 24 March 1945.

  • May 1946 - USAAF contracted with NAMU16 to modify it and one other aircraft to radar configuration similar to the Navy PB-1W. The aircraft was designated EB-17G and used in a series of tests to determine the capabilities of early warning radar.
  • March 1950 - transferred to the Navy and converted to PB-1W1 configuration.
  • June 1951 - assigned to VC-11 Miramar Detachment at NAAS Miramar. CA as ND-7.
  • 7 June 1952 - flown to NAS Barbers Point4, T.H., along with three other VC-11 Detachment aircraft.
  • 18 June 1952 - transferred to VW-1 as TE-3.
  • February 1954 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3 , VA for overhaul, and placed in storage.
  • June 1955 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park5 , AZ for storage.
  • 10 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 1,541 hrs).
  • 2 December 1957 - sold to American Compressed Steel Corp., Dallas, TX, for $11,333.33, registration number N5225V.
  • Resold to "C" Air" of Long Beach, CA and operated as an agricultural sprayer with two 1250 gallon bomb bay tanks and under wing spray booms.
  • 1964 - sold to Sun Coast Canning of Lakeland, FL.
  • 6 March 1964 - destroyed in an accident at Santiago, Dominican Republic.
TE-3 PB-1W. circa 1952. George E. Stewart TE-3 PB-1W. circa 1952. George E. Stewart
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BuNo 77226                                     c/n 32498

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-95-DL serial number 44-83857 on 3 July 1945.

  • 14 July 1945 - transferred to the Navy at NAMU16 Johnsville, PA and placed in the storage pool until modified to PB-1W1 configuration.
  • December 1947 - assigned to VX-4 at NAS Quonset Point11, RI.
  • June 1948 - assigned to the Project Cadillac IIa at NAS Squantum15, MA.
  • February 1950 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul.
  • December 1950 - transferred to VC-11 at NAS San Diego, CA.
  • November 1951 - transferred to VC-11 Miramar Detachment at NAAS Miramar, CA as ND-8.
  • 7 June 1952 - flown to NAS Barbers Point4, T.H., along with three other VC-11 Detachment aircraft.
  • 18 June 1952 - transferred to VW-1 as TE-4.
  • February/March 1953 - one of three VW-1 aircraft operating out of NAS Atsugi7, Japan, providing AEW service to 7th fleet units during Korean combat operations. These were the last "B-17s" in U.S. colors to engage in wartime operations for the United States.
  • August 1953 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul
  • January 1954 - returned to VW-1 at NAS Barbers Point4, T.H. as TE-7. (Side number determined by aircraft arrival and departure dates)
  • December 1954 - recoded TE-16 when WV-2 135751 arrived.
  • 17 January 1955 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ for storage.
  • 10 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 3,026 hrs).
  • 1957 - sold to Aero Service Corp. of Philadelphia, PA for $15,010, registration number N7228C, but remained in storage until resold to Aero Enterprises of Fresno, CA.
  • March 1966 - sold to Aero Flite of Cody, WY.
  • June 1967 - modified with four 600 gallon fire retardant tanks.
  • 29 August 1967 - destroyed during fire bombing operations.
TE-4 PB-1W. circa 1953. George E. Stewart TE-4 PB-1W. circa 1953. George E. Stewart
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BuNo 77228                                     c/n 32500

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-95-DL serial number 44-83859 on 3 July 1945.

  • 14 July 1945 - transferred to the Navy at NAMU16Johnsville, PA and placed in the storage pool until modified to PB-1W1 configuration.
  • August 1946 - assigned to Project Cadillac II a at NAS Squantum15, MA.
  • 1 September 1949 - transferred to NADC16 at Johnsville, PA.
  • October 1952 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul.
  • May 1953 - assigned to VW-1 at NAS Barbers Point4, T.H. as TE-8.
  • December 1954 - recoded TE-14 when WV-2 135755 arrived.
  • January 1955 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ for storage.
  • 10 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 1,935 hrs).
  • 2 December 1957 - sold to American Compressed Steel Corp., Dallas, TX, for $10,333.33, registration number N5228V, and stored at Dallas Love Field.
  • Resold three times between 1957 and 1960 accumulating only 11 flight hours as it was ferried from Arizona to Texas to Miami, FL.
  • 1960 - sold to Loffland Brothers Company of Peru, registration number OB-LIN-620. Loffland installed a large door in place of the right side waist window.
  • Resold two more times, first to Empress Adoriente SA, Lima, Peru, registration number OB-SAC-623 (see BuNo 34114 also) and then to Compania Bolivano de Rutas Aeras in Bolivia, registration number CP-767.
  • 13 April 1967 - destroyed in a crash at Santa Ana, Bolivia.
TE-14 circa 1954. Photo by Dan Ragan VW-1 54-56: TE-14 circa 1954. Photo by Gene Rowley VW-1 53-55:
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BuNo 77231                                     c/n 32504

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-95-DL serial number 44-83863 on 5 July 1945.

  • 17 July 1945 - transferred to the Navy at NAMU16 Johnsville, PA and placed in the storage pool until modified to PB-1W configuration.
  • February 1947 - assigned to VX-4 at NAS Quonset Point11, RI.
  • February 1950 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul.
  • May 1950 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ for storage.
  • In 1951 - returned to NAS Norfolk3 VA.
  • April 1952 - assigned to VC-11 Miramar Detachment at NAAS Miramar6, CA as ND-9
  • 7 June 1952 - flown to NAS Barbers Point4, T.H., along with three other VC-11 Detachment aircraft.
  • 18 June 1952 - transferred to VW-1 as TE-5.
  • February/March 1953 - one of three VW-1 aircraft operating out of NAS Atsugi7, Japan, providing AEW service to 7th fleet units during Korean combat operations. These were the last "B-17s" in U.S. colors to engage in wartime operations for the United States.
  • May 1954 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ for storage.
  • 25 August 1955 - retired from Naval service.
  • 10 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 2,473 hrs).
  • 2 December 1957 - sold to American Compressed Steel Corp., Dallas, TX, for $9,333.33, registration number N5233V, and stored at Dallas Love Field.
  • 26 February 1960 - sold to Marson Equipment and Salvage Co. of Tucson, AZ.
  • 27 Sep 1961 - sold to Aero Union Corp.8 of Anderson, CA.
  • 3 January 1962 - sold to Rogue Flying Service of Medford, OR.
  • July 1962 - converted and operated as an air tanker (F-71).
  • 1 April 1963 - sold to Aero Ag Inc. of Medford, OR and operated as an air tanker (F-71).
  • Early 1971 - sold to Idaho Aircraft Corp. of Boise, ID.
  • 6 June 1971 - sold to Aero Union Corp.8 of Chico, CA, who continued operating it as an air tanker (D1 and 18).
  • 19 June 1975 - traded to the U.S. Air Force Museum in exchange for a surplus C-118. Ferried from Chico, CA, to Eglin AFB, FL.
  • Now on display at the USAF Armament Museum 14 18 at Eglin AFB, FL. Replica turrets and guns have been added to bring it to the appearance of a B-17G in combat configuration. It is finished in natural aluminum with the colors of the 388th Bomb Group.

A portion of the data on this aircraft is from: War Bird Registry.


TE-5 circa 1952. Photo by George E. Stewart VC-11 50-52; VW-1 52-55: TE-5 circa 1952. Photo by George E. Stewart VC-11 50-52; VW-1 52-55:
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BuNo 77232                                     c/n 32505

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-95-DL serial number 44-83864 on 6 July 1945.

  • 17 July 1945 - transferred to the Navy at NAMU16 Johnsville, PA and placed in the storage pool until modified to PB-1W1 configuration.
  • June 1947 - assigned to VX-4 at NAS Quonset Point11, RI.
  • April 1948 - transferred to VPW-1, NAAS Ream Field12, CA (actually operated from NAAS Miramar6, CA).
  • 1 September 1948 - VPW-1 redesignated VP-51 at NAAS Miramar6, CA.
  • February 1950 - Assigned to the Glen L. Martin21 company at Baltimore, MD for an undisclosed test program.
  • July 1952 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul.
  • 15 September 1953 - assigned to VW-1, NAS Barbers Point4, T.H. as TE-4. (Side number determined by aircraft arrival and departure dates)
  • October 1954 - recoded TE-15 when WV-2 131390 arrived.
  • 17 January 1955 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ for storage.
  • 10 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 2,999 hrs).
  • 11 December 1957 - sold to American Compressed Steel Corp., Dallas, TX, for $11,333.33, registration number N5234V, and placed in storage at Dallas Love Field.
  • 3 January 1958 - sold to CIA Mexicana Aero Foto of Mexico City, Mexico for use in aerial photography, registration number XB-BOE.
  • 2 March 1964 - sold to Mark Hurd Aerial Surveys of Goleta, CA.
  • 1966 - sold to Cal Nat Airways of Grass Valley, CA, registration number N73648.
  • September 1966 - converted to an air tanker by the installation of two 1,000 gallon tanks (B11).
  • 1969 - sold to Black Hills Aviation of Spearfish, SD, who operated it as an air tanker (E56).
  • 12 July 1972 - crashed and destroyed during firebombing operations at Socorro, NM.

A portion of the data on this aircraft is from: War Bird Registry.

TE-12 BuNo 77235 and TE-15, 77232 by Gene Rowley
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BuNo 77234                                     c/n 32510

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-95-DL serial number 44-83869 on 6 July 1945.

  • 14 July 1945 - transferred to the Navy at NAMU16 Johnsville, PA and placed in the storage pool until modified to PB-1W 1 configuration.
  • April 1947 - assigned to VX-4 at NAS Quonset Point11, RI.
  • April 1948 - transferred to VPW-1, NAAS Ream Field12, CA (actually operated from NAAS Miramar6, CA).
  • 1 September 1948 - VPW-1 redesignated VP-51 at NAAS Miramar6, CA.
  • February 1950 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul,
  • 13 April 1950 - transferred NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ for storage.
  • 5 May 1950 - transferred to NAAS Mustin Field, Philadelphia, PA where the APS-20 radar antenna and dome were relocated from underneath to the top of the fuselage.c
  • 20 March 1951 - reassigned to VX-4 at NAS Patuxent River9, MD.
  • 18 June 1952 - VX-4 redesignated VW-2.
  • August 1952 - deployed to Gardamoen, Norway for special operations.
  • 21 November 1952 - returned to VW-2.
  • February 1953 - transferred to VW-1 at NAS Barbers Point4, T.H. as TE-7.
  • February/March 1953 - one of three PB-1Ws1 flown by VW-1 crews operating out NAS Atsugi7, Japan, providing AEW service to 7th fleet units during combat operations. This aircraft is the only PB-1W1 that operated from the Korean peninsula (Marine Air Base K3 near Pohang, South Korea) during the war. These were the last "B-17s" in U.S. colors to engage in wartime operations for the United States.
  • 6 May 1954 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul, and placed in storage.
  • 30 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 3,089 hrs).
  • The exact fate of 77234 is not known, but because it was stored at NAS Norfolk3, VA at the time it was stricken from inventory it is probable that it was broken up and scrapped on site.
TE-7 circa 1953. Photo by Dan Georgia TE-7 circa 1953. Ernie Ruff
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BuNo 77235                                     c/n 32513

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-95-DL serial number 44-83872 on 12 July 1945

  • 16 July 1945 - transferred to the Navy at NAMU16 Johnsville, PA and placed in the storage pool until modified to PB-1W1 configuration. Configuration completed in December 1946.
  • May 1947 - assigned to VX-4 at NAS Quonset Point11, RI as XD-1.
  • July 1948 - VX-4 transferred to NAS Patuxent River9, MD.
  • 1950 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul.
  • 22 November 1950 - transferred to Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron (FASRON) 103 at NAS Quonset Point11, RI.
  • January 1952 - transferred to VX-4 at NAS Patuxent River9, MD.
  • 18 June 1952 - VX-4 redesignated VW-2.
  • 3 June 1953 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul.
  • 15 January 1954 - overhaul completed.
  • 4 February 1954 - transferred to VW-1 at NAS Barbers Point4, T.H. as TE-6. (Side number determined by aircraft arrival and departure dates)
  • November 1954 - recoded TE-12 when WV-2 135749 arrived.
  • 14 January 1955 - departed NAS Barbers Point enroute to NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ for storage.
  • 16 January 1955 - arrived at NAF Litchfield Park5, AZ, after stop at NAS Moffett Field, CA.
  • 25 August 1955 - retired from Naval service.
  • 10 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 3,357 hrs).
  • 1 October 1957 - sold to Aero Service Corp. of Philadelphia, PA for $17,510.00, registration number N7227C, and modified for aerial surveying. Operated by Aeriflex.
  • 29 December 1961 - ownership transferred to ACS.
  • 1963 - while under contract to the University of Alaska, used to photograph the eclipse of the sun from 31,500 feet.
  • October 1963 - withdrawn from service.
  • 2 September 1967 - sold to the Confederate Air Force10 of Mercedes, TX. (later Harlingen, TX) for $50,000.00. The aircraft has been gradually "restored" to B-17G combat configuration with replica turrets and guns. The aircraft has been named "Texas Raiders" and is the only aircraft of the Navy PB-1W1 fleet currently flying.
  • 2002 - has undergone several restoration projects, the latest beginning in 2002.
  • 14 October 2009 - after an extensive seven year restoration, took to the air17 from its home base at Houston Hobby Airport, TX, where it is assigned to the Gulf Coast Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.
  • Present - aircraft now located at Hooks airport in Spring, TX, a north side suburb of Houston.
Model of TE-12 BuNo 77235 by Dan Ragan Model of TE-12 BuNo 77235 by Dan Ragan TE-12 BuNo 77235 and TE-15, 77232 by Gene Rowley
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BuNo 77240                                     c/n 3251820

Built by Douglas Aircraft2 in Long Beach, CA and delivered to the USAAF as B-17G-95-DL serial number 44-83877 on 13 July 1945.

  • 16 July 1945 - transferred to the Navy at NAMU16 Johnsville, PA and placed in the storage pool until modified to PB-1W1 configuration.
  • January 1946 - assigned to VPB-101 at NAS Floyd Bennett22 Field, NY.
  • 15 May 1946 - VPB-101 redesignated VX-4.
  • September 1946 - VX-4 transferred to NAS Quonset Point11, RI.
  • May 1947 - transferred to NAS Norfolk3, VA for overhaul, and returned to VX-4 as XD-3.
  • July 1948 - VX-4 transferred to NAS Patuxent River9, MD.
  • October 1951 - transferred to NAS at Norfolk3 VA. for overhaul
  • July 1952 - assigned to the Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit, Pacific (FAETUPAC) at NAS North Island17 San Diego, CA.
  • 12 January 1953 - transferred to VW-1 at NAS Barbers Point4, T.H. as TE-6.
  • 6 January 1954 - transferred to FAETUPAC at NAS North Island13, San Diego, CA.
  • 8 December 1954 - transferred to NAF Litchfield Park5 for storage.
  • 10 July 1956 - stricken from Navy inventory (TT: 2,946 hrs).
  • 2 December 1957 - sold to American Compressed Steel Corp., Dallas, TX, for $8,333.33, registration number N5232V, and stored at Dallas Love Field.
  • 11 October 1961 - sold, along with BuNo 77243, to Columbia Pictures of New York. Both 77240 and 77243 were ferried to Great Britain on 8 October 1961 and used by Columbia Pictures in the production of the movie "The War Lover" (Steve McQueen).
  • Spring 1962 - when filming was concluded both aircraft were broken up for scrap at Bovingdon Airfield near Mansion, England.
Pictures of this aircraft and 44-83883 can be seen at this page of Aero Vintage Books
pb-1w_outline
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FOOT NOTES:

a Project Cadillac II included 9 of MIT-RL's 11 laboratories, BuAer, BuShips, Naval Air Modification Center, Philadelphia, Naval Research Lab, several Navy contractors and Radiation Lab subcontractors. The project was eventually given the code name of Cadillac, the name of the highest mountain in Maine and site of some of the developmental relay work."

b AN/APS-20 search radar. Used in PB-1W1 and other aircraft. S-Band (2880 MHz +/-30 MHz) search radar. Developed with Project Cadillac II and manufactured by Hazeltine and General Electric. 1 Megawatt peak power output for A and C models. 80 - 100 mile range. Later development for the AN/APS-20 carried the B and E version it was 2.5 Megawatts peak power output. Range up to 250 nm for the E version. The AN/APS-20B/E was used in the WV-2's (EC-121), the transmit pulse repetition frequency was set at 270 pps which allowed search ranges greater than 250 nm.

Other aircraft that used at least one of the AN/APS-20 variants were TBM-3W, WV-2(EC-121), ZPG-2W(EZ-1), AD-5W, AF-2W, HR2S-1W, P-2, WB-29, RC-121C, Fairey Gannet and Avro Shackleton.

cThe radar antenna and dome relocation was done in an attempt to improve the capability of detection and tracking of aircraft targets and to reduce the effects of "sea return" on the radar receiver.

 

External Links:

1 [PB-1W information from Wikipedia]
2 [Douglas Aircraft Company, from Wikipedia]
3 [NAS Norfolk, from Wikipedia]
4 [NAS Barbers Point, from Wikipedia]
5 [NAF Litchfield, from Wikipedia]
6 [NAAS Miramar, from Wikipedia]
7 [NAS Atsugi, from Wikipedia]
8 [Aero Union of Chico, CA, from Wikipedia]
9 [NAS Patuxent River, from Wikipedia]
10 [BuNo 77235 Joins the Confederate Air Force, from Wikipedia]
11 [NAS Quonset Point, from Wikipedia]
12 [NAAS Ream Field, from Wikipedia]
13 [NAS North Island, from Wikipedia]
14 [Air Force Armament Museum, from Wikipedia]
15 [NAS Squantum, from Wikipedia]
16 [NAMU 1944-47, NADS 1947-49, NADC 1949-96, Johnsville, PA, from Wikipedia]
17 [77235 flies again. from Commemorative Air Force web-site]
18 [77231 displayed. from Eglin Air Force Base Museum web-site]
19 [Vega Aircraft Corporation from Wikipedia]
20 [BuNo 77240 (c/n) 32518, from Airliners.net]
21 [Martin Company), from Wikipedia]
22 [NAS Floyd Bennett Field, from Wikipedia]