Neptune Aviation’s Tanker 12 moving to the National Museum of Forest Service History

Missoula, Montana – May 16, 2023 Neptune Aviation Services and the National Museum of
Forest Service History announced a partnership today that will provide Neptune Aviation’s
Tanker 12 a new home.
“The National Museum of Forest Service History is a perfect home for Neptune’s T12,”
according to Jennifer Draughon, Neptune Aviation Services’ President. “The Forest Service has
a long history of aerial firefighting operations and Neptune’s T12 will help the museum tell the
story of how aircraft play a roll in protecting our communities.”
Neptune’s T12 has a unique history – before it served as an aerial firefighting aircraft, the
aircraft was used by the US Navy for anti-submarine warfare. Neptune Aviation operated a fleet
of Lockheed Martin P2V aircraft from 1993 to 2017. Neptune’s P2V fleet performed 47,000
firefighting missions and dropped 97 million gallons of fire retardant during this period.
“The plan to move T12 to the National Museum of Forest Service History has been in the
works for a few years,” Draughon said. “Our mechanics have been hard at work getting the
aircraft ready for display.”
The National Museum of Forest Service History has also been hard at working preparing
for T12’s arrival. “While T12’s final “flight” will be less than a couple of miles, the work behind
the scenes has been intense,” according to Lisa Tate, Executive Director of the Museum. “We
look forward to sharing the history of wildland fire fighting, and particularly aerial fire fighting,
with this new exhibit.” The plane will be on exhibit along the Museum’s Forest Discovery Trail
near the soon-to-be built National Conservation Legacy Center, a new interactive and
participatory world class museum.

Tate went on to explain that the cooperation of the Missoula International Airport is
critical to moving T12 from the Neptune Aviation to the Museum. “Moving the aircraft is no
simple task – we need to remove fences, shore up bridges, and make sure the soil is dry enough
to handle the weight of the 49,500 pound plane,” Tate said. “The team at the Missoula Airport
has been instrumental in making sure that T12’s journey is safe.” Knife River and Morrison-
Maierle were also integral partners in the preparations for this project.

“The Museum is a 501 C3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to share the rich
history and story of America’s conservation legacy. Adding an aerial firefighting aircraft to the
permanent display at the museum is a great way to showcase how aircraft are used as a tool for
wildland fire fighting,” Tate said.

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About Neptune Aviation

Neptune Aviation Services is based in Missoula, Montana. Neptune’s core services are
airtanker fire suppression, aircraft maintenance, non-destructive testing, metal fabrication,
charter air service and flight lessons.
Neptune retired its fleet of Lockheed P2V tankers in September of 2017, closing the final
chapter on the world’s last active fleet of former maritime patrol aircraft, dating to the Cold War
era, and serving more recently as an aerial firefighting asset.
Neptune Aviation employs a team of more than 240 dedicated, hard-working, and
talented individuals. For more information, visit: www.neptuneaviation.com For press inquiries,
contact Kevin Condit at (406) 549-9900.

About The National Museum of Forest Service History

The National Museum of Forest Service History is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
collecting and preserving the history of the U.S. Forest Service and it’s many partners in
conservation . Based in Missoula, Montana the museum’s collection includes more than 50,000
historical artifacts. The Museum partners with teachers from across the U.S. to bring
conservation into the classroom, and hosts a series of virtual and traveling exhibitions. The
Museum is in the final stage of a multi-year capital campaign to build the National Conservation
Legacy Center. Construction is expected to start later this year. For more information, visit:
www.forestservicemuseum.org For press inquiries, contact Lisa Tate at (406) 541-6374 / (208)
484-6667 cell.
About the Lockheed P2V Neptune
Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, this aircraft has the rare combination of
maneuverability, payload capacity, and flight range to drop retardant in rugged terrain. Neptune
Aviation operated the last fleet of P2V aircraft in the world.

Powerplants
2 Westinghouse J34 turbojets (3,400 lbs. thrust each)
2 Wright R-3350 Cyclone Turbo-compound radial engines (2,800 hp each)

Performance
Maximum Speed: 316 Knots (363 mph) Cruise Speed: 190 Knots (207 mph)
Range: 1,900 Nautical Miles Service Ceiling: 22,400 feet

Retardant Load
2,082 Gallons