Warbirds #392 | Flying Neptune returned to former glory

Warbirds, classic aircraft, museum and airshow news

World’s only flying Neptune returned to former glory

Not three weeks after returning Southern Cross II to the skies, HARS revealed that another iconic Australian historic aircraft would be soon gracing its airspace following its two-year grounding and refurbishment.

The former Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Neptune 273, serial number A89-273, is once again the world’s only remaining airworthy and flying Neptune, thanks to the hard work of HARS volunteers. The four-engine maritime surveillance and anti-submarine patrol aircraft was delivered from Lockheed’s Burbank California factory to RAAF Townsville in March 1962 and allocated to No. 10 Squadron. A89-273 served Australia for 15 years through to 1977 and logged nearly 5,500 flight hours. Notably, this Neptune aided in the discovery of the long-lost wreckage of Royal Navy HMS Pandora in 1977. The aircraft was decommissioned and passed into the hands of private owners shortly after, however has been under the care of HARS members since 1988 and continuously maintained airworthy status ever since.