p2v-2

The fifth P2V-1 airframe (BuNo 89086) was modified during construction to serve as prototype for the P2V-2 version. XP2V-2 (Model 026-52-01) was powered by 2,800 hp Wright R-3350-24Ws with water injection, it was first flown on 7 January 1947. 

P2V-2 (Models 026-52-02 and 126-52-02) production variant was powered by the same R-3350-24Ws driving three-blade propellers. The nose gunner position was replaced by six forward-firing 20 mm cannon in a metal covered nose, of similar shape to that of The Turtle, and provision for carrying sonobuoys was added. 

The first eight P2V-2s retained the earlier Bell tail turret, with twin 0-50-in guns of the P2V-1s.  The next seventy-two airframes were delivered with the Emerson tail turret with two 20-mm cannon. The Dash -2s were delivered between June 1947 and August 1948. 

Two of these aircraft (BuNos 39343 and 39365) were later used by the Marine Corps for airborne electronics aircrew training while BuNo 122467 was modified in 1950 by Lockheed to test a reduced four-crew accommodation optimized for bombing operations (MCR P2V-73, Model 126-52-08). 

P2V-2N (Model 126-52-07, MCR P2V-79): Two P2V-2s (BuNos 122465/122466) were modified during 1949 for polar exploration (Project Ski Jump). All armament was removed, retractable skis were fitted, and special research equipment— including a retractable tail boom for magnetic-field study— was installed. Cameras were also carried in the fuselage.

P2V-2N 122466 named "Amen!", Crashed while in enroute to Antarctica, 8 February 1956 in support of Operation Deep Freeze I. On 3 February 1956, a UC-1 "Otter" crashed near mile 38 of the Army-Navy Trail. The crashed Otter and one HO4S-3 helicopter were the only aircraft at Little America V.  122466 which had already returned to NAS Patuxent River, MD, was ordered back to Antarctica to participate in the search for the UC-1.  While in route both engines failed, and the P2V-2N crashed in a remote jungle swamp in Venezuela.  All 8 crewmembers were rescued, but the Neptune was written off as a total loss.

P2V-2N 122465 named "Boopsie", Crashed during landing at McMurdo, Antarctica on 18 October1956 in support of Operation Deep Freeze II. The crew Departed Christchurch NZ to McMurdo along with other the other long-range aircraft of VX-6. After passing the PSR (point of safe return) a severe storm enveloped the McMurdo area. With insufficient fuel to return to Christchurch they were committed to flying into the storm landing at McMurdo.   The pilot made a ground-controlled approach from 12,000 feet to 300 feet and then elected to make a visual landing. With the landing gear down, the plane began to turn right, the nose of the plane fell, and the Neptune struck the snow on the nose and right wing. The Neptune was completely demolished, with four men killed and 4 injured.  

P2V-2S (Model 226-52-03): The third P2V-2 airframe (BuNo 39320) was modified during construction as prototype for an anti-submarine version. The installation of an APS-20 search radar in a ventral radome necessitated a reduction in the size of the bomb bay. Additional fuel was carried in fuselage

tanks. First flown on 2 April 1948.

AERIAL SURVEY OF SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA 

In the summer of 1948, Patrol Squadron FOUR underwent a rapid transformation.  To support a large aerial survey in Southeastern Alaska, VP-4 was converted into a photographic squadron. This involved integrating personnel from VP-61, including navigators, photographic officers, and photographers.  Six P2V-2 Lockheed Neptunes were specially modified by Lockheed for the mission. The bow guns were removed and replaced with specialized equipment for aerial photography, including a clear nose for better visibility, a high-altitude radar altimeter, a 6-inch cartographic camera, and two 12-inch K-17 cameras.  The squadron

flew 23,000 linear miles of photographic flight lines and obtained the most comprehensive photographic record ever made of Southeastern Alaska on 500 rolls of aerial film.