Lockheed Neptune Ideas and Inspiration

[Volkodav]

Always imagined the Neptune as an attack bomber, akin to either a WWII era A-20G, or a Vietnam vintage A-26K.  Besides the RAAF, for instance, used Hudsons as bombers so if available I doubt such a comparatively high performance aircraft wouldn't be used in a more offensive manner.

[The Big Gimper]

Always imagined the Neptune as an attack bomber, akin to either a WWII era A-20G, or a Vietnam vintage A-26K.  Besides the RAAF, for instance, used Hudsons as bombers so if available I doubt such a comparatively high performance aircraft wouldn't be used in a more offensive manner.

I like the idea of a big brother to the A-26K. Lots of nose space for guns (I see a 40mm Bofors in the cards) and things under the wings.

[elmayerle]

Always imagined the Neptune as an attack bomber, akin to either a WWII era A-20G, or a Vietnam vintage A-26K.  Besides the RAAF, for instance, used Hudsons as bombers so if available I doubt such a comparatively high performance aircraft wouldn't be used in a more offensive manner.

I like the idea of a big brother to the A-26K. Lots of nose space for guns (I see a 40mm Bofors in the cards) and things under the wings.

Perhaps reusing systems developed on the AP-2H or similar systems?

[jcf]

The P2V-2, -3, -4 had six 20mm cannon in the nose as standard fit.
All three were used in the attack role during the Korean War, mostly for road and rail interdiction
with cannon and underwing HVAR.

[Volkodav]

Wow thanks for that, I never realised.  I knew they were used for secret squirrel stuff in Vietnam but had no idea about the Korean operations.

[jcf]

It kinda gets lost that the aircraft was designed as a patrol bomber, the ASW and other missions came later.
The P2V-3C version was a dedicated one-way nuclear tactical strike conversion with nose guns and upper turret removed.

Here's the Vega Model 146 proposal brochure from 1943:

http://p2vneptune.com/v146.shtml

The load chart and example loads from the brochure:



P2V Neptune site, pretty good site:
http://p2vneptune.com/index.shtml

[GTX_Admin]

You can see the nose guns here:



There is also this video of them being worked upon:

<a href="" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win"></a>

[GTX_Admin]

Useful book if anyone is interested in the Neptune:

[GTX_Admin]

The P2V-3C version was a dedicated one-way nuclear tactical strike conversion with nose guns and upper turret removed.

Speaking of which:






BTW, "one-way" in this context meant that it could not return to land on the carrier, not that it was a suicide mission…though when talking of nuclear tactical strike ...

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Need to have folding wings for the ultimate carrier capable Neptune

[The Big Gimper]

@Greg; I don't have it but will buy a copy soon. Also thanks for video and picture on the cannon installation.  What's with the crew member and the machine gun? Air Marshall?

@Jon: Thanks for the link to the P2V website. Given the original design criteria of the Vega Model 146, I will build my kit as close as possible as seen in the drawings including the smaller sized radome.

[GTX_Admin]

Just a nice photo:

[GTX_Admin]

I've been trying to get hold of one of these for quite sometime:

http://nsf.tc/~nmc/ProductDetail.php?iProduct=5

You're going to hate me...

[kitnut617]

I've been trying to get hold of one of these for quite sometime:

http://nsf.tc/~nmc/ProductDetail.php?iProduct=5

You're going to hate me...

Rats!!!!!

[The Big Gimper]

West Coast Hobbys has a 1/72 P2V-7 CMR Nose Conversion for $7 CDN.

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Wonder if the eight-gun nose from the B-25 Mitchell might be made to fit the Neptune?

[GTX_Admin]

Hmmmm....that conversion when combined with the NWC JMSDF Kawasaki P-2J Neptune conversion I just acquired could make an interesting combination....hmmm

[GTX_Admin]

Now I know Bill used to serve with Neptunes but I didn't know his wacky modelling was active back then...