Flight in Rare Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon Is Midwest Aviation Adventure

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum recently had the privilege of hosting a rare World War II-era Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon patrol bomber from the Warbird Warrior Foundation near its home at St. Louis Downtown Airport for several weeks leading up to the Midwest Airport Fun Days event.  All great things eventually come to an end, and owner Dave Hansen and pilot Chris Ryan flew to St. Louis to pick up the aircraft last Wednesday.  The Harpoon, one of only two still flying, carries the nose art entitled "Attu Warrior" in tribute to the Battle of Attu in the Aleutian Islands campaign where Harpoons were used in combat.  Prior to leaving St. Louis for points west, the crew graciously offered several of the plane's "caretakers" a flight around the local area.  The Aero Experience contributors Carmelo Turdo and Fred Harl were among those on board during the flight, occupying the Navigator and Radar Operator crew stations respectively.  Thanks to our new friend Dave Hensen, we bring you a glimpse of what it is like on a flight of this rare aircraft.  Following the flight, the aircraft took off again and this time kept flying west...