|
| 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).
| CREW | 7 |
| ENGINE | 2 x Wright R-3350-32W, 2575kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 36191 kg | 79788 lb |
| Empty weight | 22592 kg | 49807 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 31.7 m | 104 ft 0 in |
| Length | 27.9 m | 92 ft 6 in |
| Height | 8.9 m | 29 ft 2 in |
| Wing area | 92.9 m2 | 999.97 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| 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 |
| Fran Milliken AT2, e-mail, 09.09.2010 06:19 Flew P2s with VU-3 in 61 & 62, operating from NAS North Island, San Diego. Mission was to launch Ryan
Firebee drones from plane wing and fly them as targets. 3
ATs manned the APS-20 radar screens, feeding info back to
the TM operator who flew the drone "blind". Mission ended when drone made unauthorized ADIZ penetration, and was intercepted as an enemy aircraft by Navy or Air Force pilots.
Sidewinder missiles were launched which were supposed to lock onto flares in the wingtips of the drone, but often went right up the tailpipe! Drones had on-board chutes, which were deployed after the drone was hit. Drone then went into the Pacific, where a SEAL, dropped from a chopper, would hook a cable to the drone, and ride the drone as the chopper carried it back to land. I always thought it interesting that I was flying in the P2, with a grandstand seat for all the action, drawing the same hazardous duty pay as that poor SEAL! reply | | lowellwysong, e-mail, 24.07.2010 23:49 I was plane captain on a p2v7 in vp23 crew 3. 1964 thru the spring of 1966.Made deployments to Sicily,Spain,and cuba. Was assigned to several detachments and flew out of Iceland,and Kew West at the time . Home base was Brunswick NAS. We also had to fly through 2 hurricans and the plane was very rugged and safe. What a ride.It was a great outfit and we won 3E awards during my stay of 3.8 years. Miss it all. reply | | Steve"Andy"Andruszkewicz, e-mail, 23.07.2010 22:32 Inviting all era VP-4 Vets to check us out at vp4association.com we have an ALL HANDS reunion every other year. Next reunion scheduled for OCT 2011 in Jacksonville, FL reply | | Jim Hettel, e-mail, 22.08.2010 15:29 I was in reserve squadron VP934 out of Willow Grove PA, from 1956 to 1969. I was qualified in several positions (Jez /Julie /Radar, but always loved flying in the nose. Even tho you weren't supposed to be there during landings, I often stayed and took 8mm movies of landings and rocket runs. I loved that airplane. reply | |
| | Wilber Rea, e-mail, 26.08.2010 10:00 On Sept. 28, 1955 Snowcloud 5 of VW-4 was lost with all hands. She was the standby aircraft and was sent out whe the duty aircraft suffered an engine fire. Does anybody have a picture of this fire? Or of Snowcloud 5?
grumps reply | | Jerry Harrison, e-mail, 28.08.2010 02:55 I entered the reserves when I turned 17-1 /2 and assigned NAS Willow Grove with VP FASRON 935. Went on activity duty as Station Keeper and sent to NAS NY for AE School. Returned to NAS Willow Grove & spent much time working with PV-2 and P2V-2 aircraft. They were great aircraft to work on. Left the Navy in late 1957. reply | | Greg Cali, e-mail, 28.08.2010 04:37 I was in the navy reserves at Willow Grove from 1962 to 1969. As an AE-2 I was attached to VP-935 and air crew on the P2V-5. I qualified in Mad, Julie, Jez and Radar. I attended AE-A School in Jacksonville and AirFam school at Willow Grove. It was a great experience. reply | | Richard Camp, e-mail, 04.05.2010 16:35 Hi! I own P2V-7 Bu# 143173 and I plan to restore to flying condition. Please visit my website www.saveaneptune.com. Lots of good info. Please feel free to ask questions and if you have pictures or stories please send them. When I was a kid we lived about a mile from Willow Grove NAS. That is where i first saw the Neptune. Loved it ever since! reply | | Robert Warrem, e-mail, 09.04.2010 05:00 I served as a control tower operator at Wiesbaden AFB Germany in the late 50's. The USAF had a P2V which was designated a B69 and was used for night patrol along the east Germany border. reply | | Barney Walsh, e-mail, 29.08.2010 03:29 Flew the P2v-6 at NAS WIllow Grove as Radio OPerator in training and then the SP2H in VP-56 stationed at NORVA with deployments to Kef and Sig with short tours to Roosy. OUr crew, crew 10, came back from Kef with 14 confirmed photos of Whiskeys, Romeos and one November.
Later flew the OP2E with VO-67 over the Ho CHi Minh trail, was shot down and bailed out from the after station hatch along with 7 other crew members. VO-67 received the PUC just this past year for their job of laying sensors along the trail and participating in the breaking of the seige of Khe Sanh. reply | | Barney Walsh, e-mail, 29.08.2010 03:22 Flew the p2v-6 at NAS Willow Grove in VP- 932 reply | | Barney Walsh, e-mail, 29.08.2010 03:30 Flew the P2v-6 at NAS WIllow Grove as Radio OPerator in training and then the SP2H in VP-56 stationed at NORVA with deployments to Kef and Sig with short tours to Roosy. OUr crew, crew 10, came back from Kef with 14 confirmed photos of Whiskeys, Romeos and one November.
Later flew the OP2E with VO-67 over the Ho CHi Minh trail, was shot down and bailed out from the after station hatch along with 7 other crew members. VO-67 received the PUC just this past year for their job of laying sensors along the trail and participating in the breaking of the seige of Khe Sanh. reply | | Tom Turrentine, e-mail, 10.03.2010 18:48 I was an aircrewman in VP-18 1966-67. We flew out of Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. PPCs included Lcdrs Kunkel and Smithey. Some other crewmembers and friends from other crews: Bob Marshall, Frosty Frease, Jerry Scholey, Ken Allen, Lt Bill Pennock (killed in car accident), Lt Smith, Paul Warr, Robby Robinson, Roger Canady, Wilson, Tim Werling, Bob Sykes, Bechtol. It was a good experience and led me to later things (Pensacola AOCS, Boeing 747 /777flight training instructor, several technical /engineering jobs). reply | | ROBERT F GAGNE, e-mail, 04.03.2010 18:59 I WAS A CREWMAN ON THE LAST P2VS IN VW3 NAS AGUANA GUAM. WE TURNED OURS OVER TO NAS SEATTLE ONE WENT TO COLUMBUS AND ONE TO OLATHE ALL RESERVE SQADRONS IN 1957. WE THEN PICKED UP SUPER CONNIES. ALSO I FLEW P2VS IN VP-22 NAS BARBERS POINT IN 1962,1963. THEY WERE TOUGH AIRCRAFT reply | |
| | Fred Singer, e-mail, 02.03.2010 02:54 I served in VP812 in 1950 and 1951 as an AT2. We flew P2V-2s out of Whidbey and Kodiak Alaska. We releaved VP1 in Kodiak from Oct 1950 to June 1951. After that we picked up P2V 5s from Lockheed. VP812 was activated from Minn. in June 1950 right after the Korian "Conflick" started. I flew about 400 hours as a radar operator. We never missed a day patroling the Aletuian Chain.I flew with the Exec, Cmdr Hollingsworth from Deluth Mn. reply | | Douglas Kilman, e-mail, 11.02.2010 07:34 My father M.G. Kilman E-9 MCPO Served in VP-21 in Maine and I am trying to gather information on his services there during the 69-70. This was his second time there and in the same Squad. He was there when the Squad was disassembled. I would welcome any information anyone might provide. reply | | L Wiggin, e-mail, 11.02.2010 05:17 I flew with VP 915 out of NAS So. Weymouth Mass. The old P2 was then known as the SP-2E in 1967. Lot of fun in that bird with 2 turning and 2 burning. I used to love the forward observer postion in the nose, great view, better than my normal aqft position playing with sono tubes. We used take trainning flights to Bermuda, what a blast!!! reply |
| Mac McComas, e-mail, 05.02.2010 14:27 Started 1955 with PeV-6, then P2V-5, the P2V-7. Gathred almost 8000 hours as crewman. I think I felt safer in the old P-2 (though not near as comfortable) as I did the P-3. reply | | Rich Miller, ATC,USN(RET), e-mail, 06.09.2010 06:55 I see all this talk about P2's. But no mention of the four AP2H's of Project TRIM, later Commissioned VAH21. The PIMA Air Museum in Tucson has the only one left, and it is fully restored. reply | | Sid McCullers, e-mail, 01.02.2010 02:42 Crew 4,7,1 VP-1 1967-1970 then NAS Dallas, then NAS North Island, Flew 2nd mech and Plane Capt. Best time of my life. Lets do it again Kenny Horne !! reply |
|
Do you have any comments?
|
| 
COMPANY
PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
|
@ burning and 2 turning. Auto rich, son of a b----.
reply