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MishapVXE-6 MishapMishap

1950's

MishapsMISHAPs: 08 FEB 56 A/C: P2V-2NP2 Neptune LOCATION: Venzuellen Jungle TYPE: Crash SRIKE: Yes DEATHS: 00 BUNO: 122466 CAUSE: Crashed and was destroyed [Updated 16JAN98]

UPDATE Mishap ArticleCameraN.O. Navy Officer Joins Hunt for Antarctic Plane "...The Times-Picayune - New Orleans, Wednesday, February 8, 1956...My uncle was the navigator on the rescue flight with Frank Hudman's father which also went down. Please see the attached newspaper article from the New Orleans Times-Picayune..." Contributed by Kevin Winkler kevinwinkler@comcast.net 04DEC2023

UPDATE "...For the 8 Feburary 1956 crash of P2v-2n, bu#122466, in the Venzuellen Jungle. There were no fatalities and no injuries, the Aircraft was the 4 Amen. My dad was the squadron Survival officer, and he took pictures while they waited for rescue, as he was one of the crew..." Contributed by Frank Hudman CONDITIONL@aol.com [16JAN98]

UPDATE VX-6 Mishap Photo BUNO: 122466 Contributed by Frank Hudman CONDITIONL@aol.com [Photograph's Updated 28SEP2005 | 24APR98]

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UPDATE P2 AircraftCameraVX-6 P2 BUNO: 122465 "...A Lockheed P2V-2N Neptune (BUNO 122465) blasts off with JATO assistance from Harewood in December 1955. This aircraft was the fist VX-6 aircraft to reach Anatarctica and was later involved in a fatal accident at McMurdo at the beginning of Operation Deep Freeze II. (The Press)..." Contributed by HATHAWAY, James W. (Red Dog) reddog1937@aol.com [19AUG2005]

UPDATE "...I work with the son of (I believe his name to be) Frank Hudman who died on the P2V-2N Boopsie (VX-6) Mishap at McMurdo. His name is Mike Hudman and I just stopped by to comment while surfin. I myself had seen, and have some old brownie camera pictures of the P2V's which needed repair that landed at RAF Mildenhall, England. The question was "where the hell did they come from". The answer was Iceland...Joseph A. Fee jafee411@bellatlantic.net..." [19MAR2000]

UPDATEVX6 Crew Thumbnail"...Here is a slide of the P2V-2N, 122465. Crashed several days later at McMurdo. The only person with black shoes on is Marine Capt Ray Hudman. Is any of this crew alive?..." Contributed by Frank Hudman CONDITIONL@aol.com [20MAR98]

UPDATE "....My uncle, Charles Stuart Miller (VX-6), was killed in a plane Mishap at McMurdo Sound on October 17, 1956. It was the beginning of Operation Deep Freeze. I am trying to find more information about the crash and I would like to find some pictures of the crew. I have found out that there is a mountain named after my uncle and the other men who died in that crash. I have another uncle, Vernon Miller, who would like to have more information. I would like to know if any survivors of the plane crash are still alive and would like to hear from them. Any information would be greatly appreciated...Barbara Cooper fcooper@hcis.net.." [24JAN2000]

MishapsMISHAPs: 11 AUG 58 A/C: P2V-7LPP2 Neptune LOCATION: Ontario, California TYPE: Crash SRIKE: Yes DEATHS: 00 BUNO: 140434 CAUSE: Crashed while landing Aug 11 1958 prior to Operation Deep Freeze IV. While landing at after an acceptance checkflight at Ontario, California, a ski malfunctioned and the Neptune was destroyed. No one was injured. Since the deployment to Antarctica was near and there was not a replacement Neptune, this loss was never made up. (from: United States aircraft losses in Antarctica) WebSite: Antarctic Development Squadron Six http://www.vaq34.com/vxe6/p2v.htm [19APR2008]

UPDATE P2 AircraftCameraVX-6 Mishap "...Here is my worse landing VX-6 photo, 140434 on 11 August 1958 in Ontario, California. I was an AT-2 then and the radio operator on the crew. That is me standing on top center of the fuselage. The bleed through is the signatures of all the crewmembers on the back of the photo..." Contributed by GOLDEN, AXC James A. Retired j1mgolden@comcast.net [24MAY2009]


1960's

MishapsMISHAPs: 09 NOV 61 A/C: P2V-7LPP2 Neptune LOCATION: Wilkes Station, Antarctica TYPE: Crash SRIKE: Yes DEATHS: 05 BUNO: 140439 CAUSE: Crashed while taking off from Wilkes Station, Antarctica, Nov 9 1961 in support of Operation Deep Freeze 1962. While taking off from the skiway at Wilkes Station Antarctica the Neptune caught fire and crashed. Of the nine men on board, only four survived. Killed were Dr. Edward C. Thiel, LCDR William C. Counts, LTJG Romauld P. Compton, AMH1 William W. Chastain, and AD2R James L. Grey. A investigation of the crash reported the cause as a collision with the ground following an intense, uncontrollable fire in the landing gear - bomb bay fuel tank area. (from: United States aircraft losses in Antarctica). WebSite: Antarctic Development Squadron Six http://www.vaq34.com/vxe6/p2v.htm [19APR2008]

UPDATE "...This information was broadcast on a local television channel on Saturday evening 19 May 2012..." Contributed by EASTMAN, AT Jack G. vsnavy.org@westnet.com.au [20MAY2012]

Antarctic Air Crash Victims Remembered
11th May 2012
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population & Communities
Australian Antarctic Division
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/media/news/2012/


A ceremony has been held at Wilkes station in East Antarctica to commemorate the victims of a fatal plane accident at the site 50 years ago.

The American plane Neptune P2V crashed during take-off on November 9 1961, killing five of the nine people on board.

The plane crashed after fuel leaked from the plane’s fuselage tank causing a massive fire.

At the time the crew was returning from a geomagnetic survey to Russia’s Mirny station as part of Operation Deep Freeze and had stopped overnight at Wilkes.

Recently Australian expeditioners wintering at nearby Casey station laid a plaque at Wilkes to remember the men who lost their lives lost in the tragic event.

Casey Station Leader Mark Hunt said the plaque was presented to him at the Australian Antarctic Division’s headquarters in Hobart late last year by the Neptune’s surviving co-pilot Ernest Hand.

“Mr Hand was still deeply moved by his memories of the accident and his time in Antarctica, so I am pleased we are able to honour him and those who died by holding this ceremony,” Mark Hunt said.

“The plaque has been affixed to a rock cairn overlooking Newcombe Bay and the old Wilkes station and lies next to other men who have died on the icy continent.”

“I think it’s important to have a permanent memorial here so as time erodes the physical evidence of the crash, snow and ice now covers the majority of the remains of the plane, it is still remembered long into the future,” he said.

Wilkes was an American station which had been handed over to Australia in 1959. Australia used the station until 'Repstat', eventually renamed Casey, was built on the Bailey Peninsula in 1964. The current Casey station was officially opened in 1988.

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