Author Topic: The Lockheed P3V Voyager  (Read 612 times)

Offline Jonesthetank

  • Almost as dumb as I look
The Lockheed P3V Voyager
« on: June 07, 2022, 02:09:21 AM »
After the end of WW2, the USN realised that it would face a global threat from expanding Soviet naval capabilities.  The USN decided that very long range patrol aircraft would be required, so opened negotiations with various firms for possible designs.  Lockheed already had the P2V Neptune under development but believed that to meet the very long range requirement, their existing L-749 Constellation airliner could be adapted.

The old XB-30 blue prints were dusted off and re-evaluated, with the bomb bay designs being the main element that would be re-used.

Initial ideas centred around the L-749 model, but this soon evolved into using the newer L-1049, which would give greater range and more flexibility with the fuselage stations.  To save time the AN/APS-20 radar radome was installed as on the PO-2W AEW aircraft, but the new P3V would also feature a weapons bay in the lower fuselage, a MAD tail and enlarged observation ports in the rear fuselage.  No defensive armament was carried.


The navy accepted the type into service in 1955 as the P3V Voyager, with an initial order for 80 aircraft.  Deployed to units along the US coasts, the P3Vs operated across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, covering vast swathes of water on long ranging patrol missions.


Upgrades to the detection systems followed in the early 1960s, which would carry the type through until its retirement in 1976.  The Voyagers were often deployed to shadow Soviet naval operations and were nicknamed (among other things) the “Бдительный альбатрос” (Watchful Albatross) by Soviet sailors, in reference to the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: The Lockheed P3V Voyager
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2022, 02:13:30 AM »
 :smiley:
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.