he Lockheed P-2H Neptune
566 (U.S. BuNo. 147566, serial number 7183) was one of twenty six operated by the
Marine Nationale (French navy) from 15 April 1969 to 1984 and was allocated to 12F Squadron (Escardrille). The aircraft was eventually based on the French Polynesian territorial island of Tahiti in the Pacific and was operated on patrol duties during the early 1980's in connection with the French nuclear test program Moruroa Atoll, and was retired from French marine service in 1984 and stored at Papeete International Airport, Tahiti.
In 1987 a representative from HARS wanted to buy one of three P-2s at Tahiti. The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) was formed in 1979 by a group of aviation enthusiasts interested in the preservation of Australian Aviation History. An inspection of the P-2H 147566 revealed that the aircraft was in sound condition, missing some instruments and with tanks still containing 900 l/2000 lbs of fuel. It had flown a total of 2,430 hours and was considered to be in excellent condition, also, the aircraft had been extensively overhauled just prior to being de-commissioned in 1983. It was not until July 1989 that the Neptune 147566 was restored to flying condition and could be flown from Tahiti to Australia.
Neptune 566 was placed on the Australian civil register as VH-LRR, and, after a number of public appearances at air shows, was positioned to Tamworth for storage and care. In September 1999 the aircraft was ferried from Tamworth to Bankstown for the purpose of undergoing an extensive overhaul programme by the Society. VH-LRR was flown to the new HARS base at the Illawarra Regional Airport, Albion Park in January 2003 where the overhaul work continues pending return to full flying status.
HARS Neptune, Wollongong New South Wales
