Lockheed P2V Neptune

The History of Lockheed P2V Neptune

The P2V Neptune family of aircraft was one of the most successful postwar designs in the United States, serving a handful of countries friendly to the United States for decades. The system was designed by Lockheed from the start as a land-based maritime patrol and reconnaissance platform.

The system proved so versatile and effective that the base production model spawned a large number of variants of different roles.

The P2V Neptun is a twin-engine high-wing monoplane. The aircraft was equipped with a variety of Wright branded engines throughout production and demonstrated excellent range.

One of the most recognizable features is the single large rudder on the rear wing, although the overall slender nose design is another memorable feature. Neptune divides her time between the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force, although she is best known for her service in the Navy Department.

Neptune began production as early as 1944, when two XP2V-1 prototypes and 15 production P2V-1 models were delivered. The first models had impressive cannon and heavy machine gun armament, with 6 x 20mm guns mounted on the nose turret and 2 x 20mm guns mounted on the rear turret.

2 x 12.7mm machine guns were also part of the early arsenal, although many of these weapons were later removed as platform requirements changed. Inside, the Neptune is outfitted with specialized gear and anti-surface naval weapons designed for military success.

The most important of these weapons are capable of carrying torpedoes, mines, bombs of various weights, and even external high-explosive rockets (under the wings).

In most versions, the crew consists of ten people. The P2V-2 was the first to eliminate the nose turret armament and instead lengthen the nose assembly. The P2V-2S is an anti-submarine-only variant, while the P2V-2-2N is a snowboard-equipped cold-weather variant.

The P2V-3 family spawned an early warning variant, while the P2V-4 was fitted with new and improved turbocompound engines as well as wingtip fuel tanks and APS-20 radar as standard. The P2V-5 was the first model to be exported, while the P2V-6 modified the range of defensive weapons. The P2V-7 proved to be the ultimate incarnation of the P2V series, with the MAD boom mounted in place of the rear tail turret. This variant proved to be the final production variant and saw many -5 and -6 upgrades to this standard.

After 1962, the name of the system was changed to SP-2H.

The U.S. Air Force reserves the Neptune as the RB-69A, while other dedicated OS names exist in Southeast Asia. Neptune is also manufactured under license in Japan. More than 75% of the Neptune produced was in service with the U.S. Navy, and was later replaced by another Lockheed product, the P-3, in the 1970s.

The P2V series descended to a support role until fully retired from active duty.

One of the most famous Neptune aircraft remains the P2V-1 Neptune, known as the "Truculent Turtle", which set a world distance record in 1946 by flying nonstop from Australia to Ohio (Columbus). The specially modified aircraft has a route of approximately 11,236 miles.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes