The Lockheed P-2H Neptune 566 (U.S. BuNo. 147566, serial number 7183) was one of twenty six operated by the Marine Nationale (French navy) from 15 April 1969 to 1984 and was allocated to 12F Squadron (Escardrille). The aircraft was eventually based on the French Polynesian territorial island of Tahiti in the Pacific and was operated on patrol duties during the early 1980's in connection with the French nuclear test program Moruroa Atoll, and was retired from French marine service in 1984 and stored at Papeete International Airport, Tahiti.

In 1987 a representative from HARS wanted to buy one of three P-2s at Tahiti. The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) was formed in 1979 by a group of aviation enthusiasts interested in the preservation of Australian Aviation History. An inspection of the P-2H 147566 revealed that the aircraft was in sound condition, missing some instruments and with tanks still containing 900 l/2000 lbs of fuel. It had flown a total of 2,430 hours and was considered to be in excellent condition, also, the aircraft had been extensively overhauled just prior to being de-commissioned in 1983. It was not until July 1989 that the Neptune 147566 was restored to flying condition and could be flown from Tahiti to Australia.