SP-2H Neptune Maritime Patrol Aircraft Netherlands Navy

Royal Netherlands Navy / Koninklijke Marine
Lockheed P2V-5 / P2V-7B / P-2H / SP-2H Neptune

lockheed sp-2h neptune maritime patrol aircraft royal netherlands navy koninklijke marine 04x

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Units:

P2V-5 / P2V-7B / P-2H / SP-2H Neptune

Serials / markings:

SP-2H Neptune
201 / 202 / 203 / 204 / 205 / 206 / 207 / 208 / 209 / 210
211 / 212 / 213 / 214 / 215 / 216 / 217 / 218

P2V-7B Neptune
200

P2V-5 Neptune
086 (was 19-21) / 087 (was 19-22) / 088 (was 19-23) / 089 (was 19-24) / 090 (was 19-25)
091 (was 19-26) / 092 (was 19-27) / 093 (was 19-28) / 094 (was 19-29) / 095 (was 19-30)
096 (was 19-31) / 097 (was 19-32)

in service 1961-1982
Netherlands Naval Aviation Service (Marineluchtvaartdienst)

The Lockheed P-2 Neptune (designated P2V by the United States Navy prior to September 1962) is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. It was developed for the US Navy by Lockheed to replace the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura and PV-2 Harpoon, and was replaced in turn by the Lockheed P-3 Orion. Designed as a land-based aircraft, the Neptune never made a carrier landing, but a small number were converted and deployed as carrier-launched (using JATO assist), 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.

The Netherlands received its first Neptunes in 1953-54, when it acquired 12 P2V-5s. These remained in service until 1960, when they were transferred to Portugal. The P2V-5s were initially not replaced, with the anti-submarine aircraft requirement being met by carrier-borne Grumman S-2 Trackers. A new, urgent, requirement for maritime patrol aircraft soon developed, for service over Dutch New Guinea, and 15 new P2V-7s were purchased, entering service from September 1961. While initially employed on reconnaissance and patrol duties, as Indonesian infiltration attempts against New Guinea increased, the Neptunes added bombing and strafing operations to their patrol duties. A truce ended the conflict in September 1962, with Dutch New Guinea passing to UN control before becoming part of Indonesia, and the P2V-7s returned to Europe. The aircraft were upgraded to SP-2H standard soon after returning to the Netherlands, and remained in service until March 1982, when they were replaced by Lockheed Orions.

Specifications (P-2H / P2V-7):
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)
Empty weight: 49,935 lb (22,650 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 79,895 lb (36,240 kg)

Powerplant:
2 x Wright R-3350-32W Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder piston engine, 3,700 hp (2,800 kW) each
2 x Westinghouse J34-WE-34 turbojet engines, 3,400 lbf (15 kN) thrust each pylon mounted

Propellers: 4-bladed constant-speed propellers
Maximum speed: 363 mph (584 km/h, 315 kn)
Cruise speed: 207 mph (333 km/h, 180 kn)
Range: 2,157 mi (3,471 km, 1,874 nmi)
Service ceiling: 22,400 ft (6,800 m)

Armament:
unguided rockets on wings / depth charges, torpedoes in bomb bay

images

SP-2H Neptune

sp-2h neptune lockheed maritime patrol aircraft royal netherlands navy koninklijke marine 201 05