Lockheed P-2 Neptune / P2V

The first US Navy contract for two XP2V-1 Neptune maritime-reconnaissance bombers was placed in April 1944. The first prototype flew in 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).
The P-2H Neptune was a variant used by the Maritime Patrol Command of the Canadian Armed Forces.

A small number of P2V-2 and P2V-7 Neptunes were in service with ski landing gear for operations in the Antarctic.

P2V-7 Neptune

Kawasaki developed from the Lockheed P-2H Neptune a new ASW and maritime patrol bomber which has the designation P-2J. First flown in July 1966, the P-2J -differed from the P-2H in having a lengthened fuselage, and 2,850 ehp General Electric T64-1HI-10 turboprops replacing original piston engines, plus underwing 3,085 lb st (1400 kgp) J3-1H1-7C turbojets.

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.

An approach in Vietnam was the monitoring of electronic sensors on the ground, the signals being received by the AP-2E Neptune.

Between 1945 and 1962, 1195 were manufactured.

Hawkins & Powers developed civil conversins of of C-130 and P2V-7 under TC A19NM, A30NM, and A34NM in the Restriced category as borate bombers for forest fire control.

Gallery

P-2 Neptune
Engines: 2 x Wright R-3350-32W, 2575kW
Max take-off weight: 36191 kg / 79788 lb
Empty weight: 22592 kg / 49807 lb
Wingspan: 31.7 m / 104 ft 0 in
Length: 27.9 m / 91 ft 6 in
Height: 8.9 m / 29 ft 2 in
Wing area: 92.9 sq.m / 999.97 sq ft
Max. speed: 648 km/h / 403 mph
Ceiling: 6800 m / 22300 ft
Range w/max.fuel: 5930 km / 3685 miles
Armament: 2 x 12.7mm machine-guns, bombs, missiles, torpedos
Crew: 7

P2V-5 Neptune
Engines: 2 x Wright, 3250 hp.
Wing span: 102 ft 0 in (31.08 m).
Length: 81 ft 7 in (24.87m).
Height: 28 ft 1 in (8.56 m).
Max TO wt: 76,152 lb (34,542 kg).
Max level speed: 341 mph ( 549 kph).

P2V Neptune
Length: 91.667 ft / 27.94 m
Height: 29.331 ft / 8.94 m
Wingspan: 103.904 ft / 31.67 m
Max take off weight: 80085.6 lb / 36320.0 kg
Max. speed: 309 kts / 573 km/h
Service ceiling: 22014 ft / 6710 m
Range: 3202 nm / 5930 km
Engine: 2 x Wright R-3350-32W, 3452 hp
Crew: 7
Armament: 3630kg

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: 89ft. 6in.
Loaded weight: 72,000 lb
Crew: 7
Max speed: 421 m.p.h.
Ceiling: 31,000ft
Range: 3,700 miles
Armament: 2x.50 in. machine-guns
Bombload: 2x294 mm. rockets or 8,000 lb; plus 16 x 5-in. rockets under wings.

AP-2E

Kawasaki P-2J
Wing span is 97 ft 8.5 in (29.78 m).
Max cruise: 250 mph (402 km/h).