Lockheed P-2 Neptune

1945


ANTI-SUBMARINE, RECON	Virtual Aircraft Museum / USA / Lockheed

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).

Specification

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

Comments

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Larry Lyle, e-mail, 30.01.2010 23:40

I served with VP-7 In Brunswick Maine and the squadron got moved to Jacksonville, Fl. Deployed to Sigonella Sicily. My very first aiplane ride was with Commander Crayton when we moved to JAX.

Ron Ricklefs, e-mail, 30.01.2010 18:24

It was indeed a pleasure to be a member of VP28 out of Brunswick, ME, 1956-1958. Serving as the duty aerial photographer in the Squadron, provided the opportunity to log many hours with all the 12 crews; an interesting six month deployment in Iceland, chasing the Russian submarines and the fishing vessels, trips to French Morocco, Brussels, Preswick, Thule, Gander, two weeks in Puerto Rico, Roosevelt Roads. I recall always tring to remember to attach the chute web strap to a stanchion, before leaning out too far of the aft window and to ALWAYS remember to bring back to base, AT THE LEAST the camera handles! Sitting in that front station, with better than a 180 degree view was thrilling. All this done in a 22 month tour of duty far outweighed the later fact of no GI benefits by vurtue of being in a peacetime period. A strange uncomfortable aircraft but well worth the ride!!

John Ellis, e-mail, 29.01.2010 08:11

Flew over 2,500 hrs in SP2H in VP-1 (NAS Whidbey Island) from 1963-1966. Two deployments to Alaska and two deployments to Iwakuni Japan, including secondary deployments to Tan Son Nhut in South Vietnam. Spec on crew complement needs correction ...at least for the SP2H which had a crew of 10: Pilot, co-pilot, Flight Engineer, Nav, Tacco, Julie, Jezebel, ECM, Radio, and Ordnanceman.

John Ellis, e-mail, 29.01.2010 08:03

Walt Nowosad, e-mail, 24.01.2010 08:52

I served with VP-6 out of Barbers Point on Oahufrom 1958 to 1961. I started out flying as observer in the bow of the P-2V-5FS and graduated to radio position. I really enjoyed the experience of communicating using CW. All our crews, 12 of them were really tight. The Blue Sharks was the best duty station I had in my entire 20 years. Sadly, the Blue Sharks were decommissioned after 50 years of service.

ralph roberts, e-mail, 16.01.2010 00:06

I FLEW AS A CREWMEMBER ON THE P-2V IN NAS BRUNSWICK ME.MY PILOT WAS A LT. KUNKEL.GREAT PILOT,GREAT PLANE.I FLEW THE HO CHI MINH TRAIL WITH VO-67.WE LOST 3 P;ANES WITH CREW.VERY BRAVE MEN.IT WAS A GREAT PLANE.

William Albers, e-mail, 15.01.2010 07:27

I was in VP-1, Whidbey Island, flying the SP-2H. Flew two deployment to Alaska, one a PPC. I graduated to OP-2E flying the Ho Chi Min trail in Laos, Viet Nam under Igloo White project. The P-2 was a great aircraft to fly. On my P-2 check flight at NAS Hutchinson I experience a split flap configuration on take off. The only other I am aware of crashed.

Marian Bruce, e-mail, 07.01.2010 23:42

Was in VP46 from 1959 to 1963. Transitioned from P5M1 to P2V-5F to P2V7 during tour. Returned to SP2H (P2V-7) as OINC of VP66 1972 to 1975 after flying the P3As in VP28 and VP22. Transitioned back to the P3 in 1973.

Anthony, e-mail, 07.01.2010 22:46

My father, thinks computers are a waste of time, so I'll write this for him. He was stationed at N.A.S.Los Alamitos in a V.P.squad. He was a flight engineer. He had a turn card an I got to sit on the plane during night duty, an go to high power turn-ups,what a ride and memory.He flew to Barbers Point, Haw.many times it took 17 hrs after picking up aux. tanks in S.F.

Cleland McBurney, e-mail, 04.01.2010 03:03

I flew the P2V-5F with VW-3 at NAS Agana, Guam 1954 to 1955. Mission was typhoon hunting. This plane can penetrate a wall cloud of a 165 knot typhoon at 500' over the water. I know, I was there. It is a tough bird and a beauty to fly.

Richard Neault, e-mail, 15.09.2009 17:54

I am President of the CA Cold War Museum here in Northern California. We have been offered a P-2 as a donation. It has been used in firfighting operations. We will be restoring it to its original military configuration. If any of you have interior /exterior photographs that may be of help, we would definately appreciate the assistance.

Jim Stark, e-mail, 04.09.2009 02:59

I was PPC of P2V7 1965-1967 in VP-21, NAS Brunswick. I wrote a book "Two Turning, Two Burning" about my experiences. Check it out at If interested in buying a copy, contact me directly for signed copy at a discount.

Dempsey (Jesse)James, e-mail, 26.08.2009 23:51

I flew with VP-10 in the SP-2E version from 1960 thru 1963 and accumulated around 2500 hours. We visited Iceland, Greenland, NorthWest Terr of Canada, Norway, Amsterdam, Denmark, Scotland, Argentia, Labrador, Halifax and the carribbean countries.Loved my tour with them. Cdr Jens Hansen was our PPC along with LT Breeding and LCDR Snively. AD2 D,J. Shaw was my Engineer.

Nevins A. FRANKEL, e-mail, 01.06.2009 16:32

I have all squadrons represented on www.vpnavy.org /

If you have time - please visit.

Good Hunting!

*Nevins*

John Spinelli ADR3, e-mail, 25.05.2009 16:39

I flew the flight plane captains seat and was a NATOPS evaluator on the SP2H. Loved this aircraft to death. Best duty station was NAS N.Y. ( Disney World East ). Station keeper trying to keep the reserves from killing themselves. Flew with 2 great officers Lt. Trim and LtCDR Schuster. They gave me a lot of rt seat time and taught me to fly so they could catch some winks. Finished up with VP 26 but could never get the same feelings for the P3. Maybe because you could stand up and get comfortable.

Richard "Rick" Stark, e-mail, 05.05.2009 19:03

Plane Capt.in Crew 4 VP-2 "66-67" Great moments in small lives! Did two trans pacs including the Vietnam thing. Loved every minute of it. Had a fantastic crew and PPC Al Rogstad. I enjoy the vp-2 reunions every two years. Grear reliable aircraft.

BOB DE LA HUNTY, e-mail, 15.04.2009 14:09

For those interested we have three P2V7 Neptunes at our HARS Base south of Sydney at Albion Park.We will be flying one over this ANZAC march next week.We have 149273,149281 and 147566 Web site www.hars.org.au

Keith Miller, e-mail, 13.04.2009 13:14

What type of radios did the Neptune have make model etc a photo would be great, if I could purchase one even better
I was based at Number 10 SQN towsville Australia but I was with ground support Thanks so much for your time to you all Keith

pierre ciofini, e-mail, 13.03.2009 22:26

hi first i apologize my english sorry .I was in the french navy in 1973 at this time i was avionics on these wonderfull p2v7 ; flying on this unit was fantastic (and longer 14 flight hours) I have learn my job on this aircraft ; the beautifulest aircraft in the world

Wilfred Oswald PhD, e-mail, 04.02.2009 20:08

I served as Nav /Tacco with VP 4 in Okinawa for three years. The P-2 never let us down. On one of our daily flights through the Taiwan Straits, we received warning of an
interception wih a ChiCom aircraft. We hit the deck,added full jet power and found out just how fast the aircraft could travel! Low pressure on the wing surfaces caused a number of "bird patches" to blow with a tremendous "Pop".
We made it home safe and sound. Loved that plane!

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