VP48 and P5M

Here's a nice video showing the launch and take off of a P5M-2 when VP48 had them.

Link

And here's a video showing the last flight. Look close and you can see a P3, the aircraft that replaced the P5M and SP2H's, flying along side. It has its two outboard engines feathered and is still keeping up.

Link

But the old P5M was comfortable. Underpowered and a problem to keep in the air if an engine failed it was slow and could fly low and slow, a real plus for submarine hunting and it could stay on station for a long time. The crew compartment was above the electronic compartment and forward of the wing. The radar operator sat facing forward just behind the cockpit with the CIC/Nav to his right with other positions on down the  starboard side to the radio operator who faced aft so he could watch the electrical panel. All the electronics were vacuum tube based so the power consumpation was huge. In addition to two engine driven 28 VDC generators it had two AC generators and an Auxillary Power Unit.

Just to the right of the radio operator was steps going down to the wheels compartment, or better said where the wheels were attached before the aircraft was pulled out of the water. Forward was the electronics compartment and a small two burner stove where the "cook" could whip up some tasty chow.

In the aft section there were two fold up bunks, sonobouy storage/launcher the APU and someother electronics. In warm weather the hatches were kept open. In cold weather too if observers were needed. Orginally 30 caliber guns were mounted on both sides plus one in the tail pod. Someone finally figured out they were useless as a defensive weapon against fighters and wing mounted 5" rockets and bombs were the thing to use against ships. Depth charges and torpedos were in the bombays located under the engines.

Those days are long gone, probably for the country's best. As for me, this says it all.

Enjoy!



"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“It’s the presumption that Obama knows how all these industries ought to be operating better than people who have spent their lives in those industries, and a general cockiness going back to before he was president, and the fact that he has no experience whatever in managing anything. Only someone who has never had the responsibility for managing anything could believe he could manage just about everything.” - Thomas Sowell in Reason Magazine

Not politically correct

There appears to be a distinct probability that the following might not be politically correct (or something ) ! ! !

I was devastated to find out my wife was having an affair but, by turning to religion, I was soon able to come to terms with the whole thing. I converted to Islam, and we're stoning her in the morning!

The wife suggested I get myself one of those penis enlargers, so I did .... she's 21 and her name's Lucy.

Just been to the gym. They've got a new machine in. Could only use it for half an hour, as I started to feel sick, It's great though. It provides me with everything I need - KitKats, Mars Bars, Snickers, Potato Crisps, the lot.."

Question - Are there too many immigrants in Britain? 17% said yes; 11% said No; 72% said "I am not understand the question please."

The cost of living has now gotten so bad that my wife is having sex with me because she can't afford batteries.

A man calls 911 and says "I think my wife is dead". The operator says, "How do you know?" He says "The sex is about the same, but the ironing is piling up!"

 was explaining to my wife last night that when you die you get reincarnated but must come back as a different creature. She said she would like to come back as a cow. I said, "You obviously haven't been listening."

My wife has been missing a week now. The police said to prepare for the worst. So, I had to go down to Goodwill to get all of her clothes back.

There's a new Muslim clothing shop that opened in our shopping center, but they threw me out after I asked if I could look at some of the bomber jackets.

The Red Cross just knocked on my door and asked if we could contribute towards the floods in Pakistan. I said we'd love to, but our garden hose only reaches to the driveway.

Hat tip to Bill T!








"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“It’s the presumption that Obama knows how all these industries ought to be operating better than people who have spent their lives in those industries, and a general cockiness going back to before he was president, and the fact that he has no experience whatever in managing anything. Only someone who has never had the responsibility for managing anything could believe he could manage just about everything.” - Thomas Sowell in Reason Magazine