The P2V Neptune series of aircraft was one of the more successful post-war designs for America, with service that spanned decades for a handful of American-friendly countries. The system was designed by Lockheed Corporation from the outset as a land-based maritime patrol and reconnaissance platform. The system proved so versatile and effective, that the base production model spawned a large series of variants in specialized roles.
The Neptune got its start as early as 1944, where two XP2V-1 prototypes are delivered with 15 production P2V-1 models. Initial models featured an impressive armament of cannons and heavy caliber machine guns of which 6 x 20mm cannons were mounted in a battery in the nose while 2 x 20mm cannon sat in a tail turret. 2 x 12.7mm machine guns are also part of the early arsenal though many of these weapons were later removed as needs for the platform changed. Internally, the Neptune was geared for military success with specialized equipment and anti-surface vessel weaponry. Chief among these weapons were the ability to carry torpedoes, mines, bombs of various weights and even externally-held high-explosive rockets (underwing).
Aircraft personnel amounted to ten in most versions. The P2V-2 was the first to do away with the nose turret armament, and instead, extended the nose assembly. The P2V-2S was an anti-submarine specialized variant while the P2V-2-2N was a cold weather derivative that was fielded with skis. The P2V-3 series brought about an early warning variant while the P2V-4 saw new and improved turbo-compound engines installed along with wingtip tanks and an APS-20 radar as standard. The P2V-5 was the first model offered up for export while the P2V-6 saw a revision to the series' defensive armament. The P2V-7 proved to be the ultimate incarnation for the P2V series featuring the MAD boom installation in place of the rear tail turret. This variant proved to be the final production variant and saw many -5's and -6's brought up to this standard. Designation of the system was then changed to SP-2H after 1962.
The United States Air Force maintained the Neptune as the RB-69A while other designations existed for specialized Southeast Asia-operating systems. The Neptune was also license-produced in Japan. Over 75% of all produced Neptunes went into service with the United States Navy and would later be replaced by another Lockheed product - the P-3 - throughout the 1970's. relegating the P2V series to supporting roles until complete withdrawal from active service.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
Specifications
Lockheed - USA Manufacturer(s)
Australia; Canada; France; Japan; Netherlands; Portugal; United Kingdom; United States Operators
SPECIAL-MISSION: ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE
Equipped to search, track, and engage enemy underwater elements by way of specialized onboard equipment and weapons.
VIP SERVICE
Used in the Very-Important-Person (VIP) passenger transport role, typically with above-average amenities and luxuries as standard.
INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
77.0 ft (23.47 meters) Length
100.0 ft (30.48 meters) Width/Span
28.0 ft (8.53 meters) Height
41,548 lb (18,846 kilograms) Empty Weight
79,999 lb (36,287 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
STANDARD:
6 x 20mm M-24 cannons in nose
2 x 12.7mm machine guns (on deck)
2 x 20mm M-24 cannons in tail
OPTIONAL:
Mission-Specific Armament can include the following (all ordnance held in internal bay unless noted). Maximum bombload capacity of 4,800 lbs:
6 x 100lb bombs
6 x 500lb bombs
4 x 1,000lb bombs
2 x 2,000lb mines
2 x 1,600lb bombs
4 x Mk 24 mines
4 x Mk 34 mines
4 x 1,200lb torpedoes
2 x A.R. 11.75 inch
16 x HVAR 5 inch rockets (underwing)
16 (for underwing rockets) Hardpoints
XP2V-1 - Prototype Model Designation of which two examples were ordered in 1944.
P2V-1 - Initial Production Model Designation
P2V-2 - Sans nose turret; extended nose assembly.
P2V-2S - Specialized ASW Variant
P2V-2-2N - Specialized Arctic Variant with skis.
P2V-3 - Improved engines.
P2V-3C - Specialized Carrier Variant
P2V-3Z - Command Transport Variant
P2V-3W - Early Warning Radar Search Variant
P2V-4 - Fitted with turbo-compound R-3350 engines; standard APS-20 radar; wingtip fuel tanks.
P2V-5 - First version offered for export
P2V-6 - Reduced capability radar; improved defensive armament positions.
P2V-7 - "Ultimate Neptune"; fitted with Westinghouse J-34 wingtip pods; tail turret replaced by MAD boom system; sans nose armament altogether; redesign cockpit; designation later changed to SP-2H; Many P2V-5's and P2V-6's retrofitted in this way; final production version.
SP-2H - New Designation replacing previous P2V designations; all defensive guns were now removed from the design.
RB-69A - Conversion Variants for USAF usage.
OP-2E - Specialized Variant for Southeast Asia usage.
AP-2H - Specialized Variant for Southeast Asia usage.
Images
1 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
2 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
3 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
4 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
5 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
6 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
7 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
8 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
9 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
10 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
11 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
12 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
13 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
14 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
15 / 15
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
