Lockheed P-2 Neptune / P2V ![]() P2V-7 Neptune
The first US Navy contract for two XP2V-1 Neptune maritime-reconnaissance bombers was placed in April 1944.
The P2V / P-2 has mid-set unswept wing, unswept tail surfaces, and conventional control surfaces. The ailerons drop 10 degrees when the Lockheed-Fowler flaps are fully extended. The tricycle undercarriage has a single wheel on each unit with the nosewheel retracting rearward and mains forward into the engine nacelles.
The first prototype flew on 17 May 1945. From then Lockheed received contracts for the P2V-1 to P2V-7 versions which were subsequently redesignated in the P-2 category.
Last versions in operational service were the P-2E (formerly P2V-5) which introduced the glazed nose, MAD tailboom, Julie/Jezebel ASW systems, etc, and later fitted with auxiliary underwing turbojets; SP-2E, as for the P-2E but with modernised equipment; P-2H, the first version to introduce auxiliary underwing turbojets and incorporating equipment and detail changes; and the SP-2H, as for the P-2H but with modernised equipment. These served with the Argentinian Navy (P-2H), Australian Air Force (SP-2H), Brazilian Air Force (P-2E), French Navy (P-2H), JMSDF (P-2H, and Kawasaki P-2J), Netherlands Navy (SP-2H), Portuguese Air Force (SP-2E) and the US Navy (SP-2H).
Entering service with the JMSDF in 1969, the last of`82 production aircraft was delivered in 1979. Sixteen P2V-7 were supplied from the USA before Japanese production began. Armament of the P‑2J comprises up to 8,000 lb (3,628 kg) of bombs, depth charges, or torpedoes carried internally, and 16 5‑inch rockets underwing.
Hawkins & Powers developed civil conversions of C-130 and P2V-7 under TC A19NM, A30NM, and A34NM in the Restricted category as borate bombers for forest fire control.
P2V-7 Neptune
Engines: 2 x Wright R3350-30W Turbo-Cyclone 3,250 hp, 2 x Westinghouse J34 turbojets, 3600 lb
Wingspan: 103 ft. 10 in
Length: 91 ft. 8 in.
Height: 29 ft 4 in
Wing area: 1000 sq.ft
Empty weight: 49,808 lb
Loaded weight: 72,000 lb
Fuel capacity: 1832 gal
Opt bomb bay fuel: 583 gal
Crew: 7
Max speed: 421 m.p.h.
Ceiling: 31,000ft
Service ceiling: 22,000 ft
Range: 3,700 miles at 175 mph at 1000 ft
Armament: 2x.50 in. machine-guns later 4 x 20mm canon
Bombload: 2x294 mm. rockets or 8,000 lb; plus 16 x 5-in. rockets under wings.
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Lockheed P-2 Neptune
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