Jurassic Airport in Greybull / Wyoming, there where the dinosaurs of aviation flying
I named this airfield „Jurassic Airport“, because of the fact that all aircraft’s in Greybull are “prehistoric“ from an period far from the past. No jet you will find here, exception a jet turbine on propeller aircraft to boost the takeoff power.
So far the name Jurassic Airport ist not so wrong regarding the fact, that many dinosaurs, including the huge Tyrannosaurus was found in past decades in Wyoming.
Watch when the mechanics from Hawkins & Powers are working on their historic fleet of water bombers!
The absolutely highlight is a technical check flight of their water bomber, a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer of Hawkins & Powers Aviation Inc., No. 127, registration N6884C!
This original bomber of WW2 was used by UNITED STATES NAVY for patrol flights and bombing missions in the Asia-Pacific-Region and Korean War and now in year 2001 is was used as water bomber to fight wild fires.
Exactly only one year later in 2002 happened crash of Hawkins & Powers Tanker No. 123, a firefighting PB4Y-2, on July 18th, 2002. The left wing broke apart, failed due to fatigue cracking in its forward spar and wing skin, which went undetected due to inadequate maintenance procedures.
PB4Y-2 Privateer
The most-produced heavy bomber of WWII, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, also had a naval version designated PB4Y-2 Privateer. Although produced in much fewer numbers than its elder brother, the Privateer has had a fascinating career spanning over half a century.
Converting the Liberator
The US Navy decided it needed its own special Liberator after successfully using a slightly modified version of the B-24, designated PB4Y-1. In contrast to standard Liberators made for high-altitude flights this dedicated naval version named PB4Y-2 (later P4Y-2) Privateer was adapted for lengthy maritime patrol missions at low and medium altitude.
In particular, Liberator’s characteristic split tail was replaced with a single vertical fin because it provided better stability at lower altitudes. The Privateer also had two extra machine guns, a distinctive nose turret, and a longer fuselage to accommodate additional equipment and crew.
In the Pacific War
The PB4Y-2 made its first flight in 1943 and the greater part of 736 Privateers produced during a two-year-long production run joined the Navy after the end of WWII. Still, some of them rolled off the factory line early enough to take part in the Pacific War. The PB4Y-2 first became operational on the islands of Midway and Tinian in January 1945. Starting from early March, Privateers flew anti-shipping search missions out of the Philippines. The aircraft operating in the Marianas encouraged Japanese soldiers to surrender using onboard loudspeakers.
The greater part of Navy’s PB4Y-2 fleet was retired from service by 1954. However, these aircraft went on to be used in a variety of roles for almost another five decades. Some went on serving in the Coast Guard, others were converted into target practice drones.
Many were acquired by firefighting companies, shedding weapons and getting fire retardant tanks. Their service in this role ended just in 2002 after a Privateer operated by Hawkins and Powers Aviation broke up in flight, killing both crewmembers.
There are several surviving airframes in museums across the US, including a couple of airworthy planes.
10 авг 2023
