The Lockheed P-2 Neptune was a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft.
Designed as a land-based aircraft, the Neptune never made a carrier landing, but a small number were converted and deployed as carrier-launched, stop-gap nuclear bombers that would have to land on shore or ditch.
The type was successful in export, and saw service with several armed forces.
Variants
VP-7 P-2V
US Army AP-2E also designated RP-2E used in SIGINT/ELINT operations in Vietnam.
Lockheed produced seven main variants of the P2V.
In addition, Kawasaki built the turboprop-powered P-2J in Japan.
XP2V-1
Prototype, two built.
Powered by two 2,300 horsepower (1,700 kW) Wright R-3350-8 engines with four-bladed propellers, with armament of two .50 in machine guns in nose, tail and dorsal turrets, and 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg) of stores in an internal bomb bay.
P2V-1
First production model with R-3350-8A engine, Provision for 16 5-inch (127 mm) HVAR or 4 11+3⁄4-inch (300 mm) Tiny Tim rockets underwing; 14 built.
XP2V-2
Fifth production P2V-1 modified as a prototype for P2V-2, Powered by water injected R-3350-24W engines.
P2V-2
Second production model, powered by two 2,800 horsepower (2,100 kW) R-3350-24W engines driving three-bladed propellers, Nose turret replaced by “attack” nose fitted with six fixed 20 mm cannon.
P2V-2N “Polar Bear”
Two P2V-2 modified for polar exploration under Project Ski Jump, Armament removed, with ski landing gear and provision for JATO rockets.
This way the modified P2Vs could still land on a regular runway surface.
P2V-2S
One P2V-2 modified as a prototype anti-submarine variant with an AN/APS-20 search radar and additional fuel.
P2V-3
Improved patrol bomber with 3,200 horsepower (2,400 kW) R-3350-26W engines with jet stack engine exhausts, 53 built.
P2V-3B
Conversions from other P2V-3 models, including P2V-3C and −3W, fitted with the ASB-1 Low Level Radar Bombing System; 16 converted, Redesignated as P-2C in 1962.
P2V-3C
Stop-gap carrier based one-way nuclear-armed bomber, not intended to return for a landing on a carrier.
11 P2V-3s and one P2V-2 modified.
P2V-3W
Airborne Early Warning variant, AN/APS-20 search radar; 30 built.
P2V-3Z
VIP combat transport with armoured cabin in rear fuselage with seats for six passengers.
Retained tail turret, Two converted from P2V-3s.
P2V-4
Improved anti-submarine aircraft.
Fitted with AN/APS-20 search radar and provision for dropping sono buoys with additional dedicated sonobuoy operator.
52 built in total.
Surviving aircraft redesignated P-2D in 1962.
P2V-5
Fitted with Emerson nose turret with two 20 mm cannon replacing solid nose of earlier versions, while retaining dorsal and tail turrets.
P2V-5F
Modification with two 3,250 pounds-force (14.5 kN) J34 jet engines to increase power on take-off, and 3,500 horsepower (2,600 kW) R-3350-32W piston engines.
Redesignated P-2E in 1962.
P2V-5FD
P2V-5F converted for drone launch missions.
All weaponry deleted, Redesignated DP-2E in 1962.
P2V-5FE
P2V-5F with additional electronic equipment.
Redesignated EP-2E in 1962.
P2V-5FS
P2V-5F with Julie/Jezebel ASW gear, featuring AQA-3 long range acoustic search equipment and Julie explosive echo sounding gear.
Redesignated SP-2E in 1962.
AP-2E
Designation applied to P2V-5F with special SIGINT/ELINT equipment used by the US Army’s 1st Radio Research Company at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base.
NP-2E
Single P-2E converted as permanent test aircraft.
OP-2E
Modified for use as part of Operation Igloo White for sensor deployment over South-East Asia with Observation Squadron 67 (VO-67).
P2V-6
Multi-role version with lengthened weapons bay and provision for aerial minelaying and photo-reconnaissance.
Redesignated P-2F in 1962.
P2V-6B
Anti-shipping version with provision to carry two AUM-N-2 Petrel anti-ship missiles. 16 built.
Later redesignated P2V-6M then MP-2F.
P2V-6F
P2V-6 refitted with J34 jet engines. Redesignated P-2G.
P2V-6T
Crew trainer conversion with armament deleted, wingtip tanks often deleted. Redesignated TP-2F.
P2V-7
Last Neptune variant produced by Lockheed, powered by R-3350-32W and J-34 engines.
Fitted with lower drag wingtip tanks, AN/APS-20 search radar in a revised radome and a bulged cockpit canopy.
P2V-7B
15 aircraft with non-glazed nose fitted with four fixed 20 mm cannon for Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service.
Subsequently fitted with glazed nose and modified to SP-2H standard.
Supplemented by four SP-2H from France.
P2V-7LP
Four aircraft built with wheel/ski landing gear and JATO gear for Antarctic operations, Redesignated LP-2J.
P2V-7S
Additional ASW/ECM equipment including Julie/Jezebel gear, Redesignated SP-2H in 1962.
P2V-7U
Naval designation of the RB-69A variant.
AP-2H
Specialized night and all-weather ground attack variant fitted with FLIR and Low Light TV systems, tail turret, fuselage mounted grenade launchers and downwards firing mini guns.
DP-2H
P-2H converted for drone launch and control.
EP-2H
Single P-2H modified with UHF telemetry equipment instead of ASW systems.
NP-2H
Test bed conversion of P2V-H.
RB-69A
Five new built and two converted from P2V-7s for CIA covert operations, obtained with USAF help and operated by ROCAF 34th Squadron.
Aerial reconnaissance/ELINT platform, modular sensor packages fitted depended on the mission needs.
Neptune MR.1
British designation of P2V-5; 52 delivered.
CP-122 Neptune
RCAF designation of P2V-7.(jet pod not initially fitted to 25 P2V-7 aircraft delivered to RCAF, but subsequently retrofitted)
Kawasaki P-2J (P2V-Kai)
Japanese variant produced by Kawasaki for JMSDF with T64 turboprop engines, various other improvements; 82 built.
Specifications
Crew
7-9
Length
91 ft 8 in (27.94 m)
Wingspan
103 ft 10 in (31.65 m)
Height
29 ft 4 in (8.94 m)
Wing area
1,000 sq ft (93 m2)
Airfoil
Root
NACA 2419 mod
Tip
NACA 4410.5
Empty weight
49,935 lb (22,650 kg)
Max take-off weight
79,895 lb (36,240 kg)
Powerplant
2 × Wright R-3350-32W Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 3,700 hp (2,800 kW) each turbo-compound with water injection
