The Lockheed Model 726 was the final Neptune variant off the Lockheed production line. First flown on April 26, 1954, Model 726-45-14 was powered by a pair of 3,700hp (with water injection) Wright R-3350-32W Turbo Compound engines and a pair of Westinghouse J-34-WE-36 turbo jet engines. This model had a top dash speed of 364mph making it the fastest of the Lockheed produced Neptunes.
The APS-20 search radar with its larger radome was mounted further forward than that on the earlier P2V-5s. The P2V-7 could carry an ordnance load of 10,000 lbs. in a larger weapons bay. The flight deck was raised and a redesigned canopy provided improved visibility. The smaller wing tip tanks of the later P2V-5s were also fitted.
A total of 287 Neptunes, including forty-eight assembled in Japan by Kawasaki at Gifu, were built under the P2V-7 designation as Model 726-45-14s (148 aircraft for the US Navy, Aéronavale and Japan.)
Model 726-45-17s (114 aircraft, with revised accommodation, for the same customers and the RAAF)
Model 826-45-14 (25 aircraft for the RCAF, delivered without the under-wing J-34s).
The P2V-7B (Model 726-45-18) designation was given to 15 aircraft built for the MLD.
Lockheed production of the Neptune ended in 1962. By the 1970s, P-2s had been phased out from all Fleet Patrol Squadrons remaining in service with 11 of the 12 Reserve Patrol Squadrons. In July 1977, VP-67 transitioned to the P-3 Orion ending 31 years of Fleet and Reserve patrol operations with the US Navy.
2V-7S of VP-2 most likely photographed at Adak or Kodiak between 1963-64. Formally with VP-1, 145913 was assigned to VP-2 in 1963. This aircraft was later lost in a landing accident at NAS Kodiak on 02/06/1964 with no casualties. (Scan from Kodachrome slide)
SP-2H of VP-94, taken in 10/72 at NAS Belle Chasse, New Orleans. VP-94 was established as part of the reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve that took place in mid-1970. The "Crawfishers" traded up to the P-3A Orion in October 1976.
Following up on the P2V-6, the Aéronavale took delivery of an additional 32 P2V-7s beginning in 1958. The P2V-7s were operated by Flottilles 23F, 24F, 25F, Escadrilles de Servitude 9S and 12s. The Neptune would continue to serve until the 1980s when Escadrille 12S finally relinquished its last SP-2H during the summer of 1984.
Aircraft 147569 was delivered to 23F in 1958. This aircraft would later be fitted with a solid nose housing test equipment and carried the name "Goldorak" into the early 80's.