VPB-122, Tail Codes 61-80

Occupied the opposite side of VPB-120 hangar at Shemya. First missions (sector searches) were flown after the surrender of Japan.

8/18 61V, 63V, 64V

8/21 61V, 72V

8/22 65V, 67V

8/23 64V, 68V

8/24 66V, 69V

8/25 61V, 63V, 65V, 72V

8/26 64V, 67V, 68V

8/30 62V, 63V, 65V

BuNos with known corresponding tail codes:

59644        5-11/45 crashed and wrecked 1/12/46, landing in icy conditions. Kodiak NAS. 

59646 62V 5-11/45

59647        5-12/45

59678 64V 5-12/45

59775 65V 5-12/45

59777 66V 5-11/45

59778        5-10/45 wrecked 10/16/1945 Sea Island Airdrome, B.C. Canada

59779 68V 3-12/45

59780 69V 5-12/45

59781 70V 5-12/45

59783 71V 5-12/45

59788 72V 5-12/45 (PB4Y-2S)

59846 67V 6-9/45

All BuNos and corresponding squadron codes were confirmed by the photographs. Analyzing their sequence it is logical to propose that

59778 was 67V 

59647 was 63V

59644 was 61V

I am in continuous search for the photos of the Aleutian Privateers to prove this hypothesis!

30 Nov 1945 (Fri) Fatal Aircraft Accident: Privateer, Bureau Number 59777, piloted by Lt. (jg) McMillian, VPB-122, was reported missing on a flight from Naval Air Station Kodiak to Seattle, WA.  The last position report had been over the southwest led of the Sitka radio range. (Chronology, Fleet Air Wing Four, 1 Sep-1 Dec 1945, p. 13.) All 25 people onboard perished, making it the biggest loss-of-life disaster in PB4Y-2 carreer.