Lockheed Neptune turbo and King turbo

[McColm]

Just had a brainwave whilst looking at the 1/72 Hasegawa Lockheed Neptune kit on eBay that someone has replaced the radial engines with turboprops. I'm not too sure what kit the builder used as the wings look like those from the Hasegawa model. There seems to be an extension plug in the fuselage as well and a new radome.
There is or was a turboprop conversion set which included the turboprop engines in the new wing.
My idea is to use the engines from the Grumman Hawkeye E-2 kit. They may need to be reshaped to fit , not too sure about the undercarriage if that needs adjusting as the wheel well isn't wide enough. Whiffers licence will be used in the build.
As for the King Neptune, 4 turboprop engines could be used, move the ventral radome and fit it above the fuselage to increase the length of the weapons bay.
I could use the engines from the Airfix Avro Shackleton on the Neptune for a future build.

[sandiego89]

Sounds very much like the real world Kawaski P-2J- the Japanese license built version of the Neptune.  Turboprops, 4 foot forward fuselage plug etc.  There are conversion sets available. one : http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/details/nwmc/detail_nwmc_72002.shtml

[McColm]

Sounds very much like the real world Kawaski P-2J- the Japanese license built version of the Neptune.  Turboprops, 4 foot forward fuselage plug etc.  There are conversion sets available. one : http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/details/nwmc/detail_nwmc_72002.shtml

It's on sale for $79.

[chrisonord]

I have the northwing conversion set to make the hasegawa Neptune into the Kawasaki turbo prop version. The forward fuselage, engines, inner wings and engine mounts along with some smaller parts are all changed to make the Kawasaki version.
Chris

[McColm]

Thanks Chris,
Seems it's time to build anther Vietnam Neptune. I thought the idea of using the engines from the Hawkeye kit would save time, rather than reshaping the engine cowlings on the Hasegawa model and inserting the resin T64 replacement turboprops. I managed to lengthen the existing weapons bay. I used a pair of six bladed contra-propellers from a Frog Avro Shackleton MR.3 kit.
I wonder if Lockheed thought of using turboprops on the Neptune as an option?
I know that the Rolls-Royce Tynes work rather well on the Neptune.
Should work well with the conversions in the Blackbird Models range or Falcon Triple vacform conversion sets.

[AS.12]

I wonder if Lockheed thought of using turboprops on the Neptune as an option?

I haven't seen anything along those lines.  One of the challenges would be matching the fuel efficiency of the R3350 Turbo-Compounds.  The P-2J took a considerable range hit with the T64s.

[McColm]

I wonder if Lockheed thought of using turboprops on the Neptune as an option?

I haven't seen anything along those lines.  One of the challenges would be matching the fuel efficiency of the R3350 Turbo-Compounds.  The P-2J took a considerable range hit with the T64s.

Thanks for the info

[Scotaidh]

Lockheed may not have thought of/tried turboprops, but the Japanese did.

AirVectors.net has this to say on the matter:
"The very last version of the Neptune was the Kawasaki-built "P-2J" (originally P2V-KAI, where "KAI" means "kaizen / modification"). Work on the P-2J was begun in 1961. The first P-2J performed its initial flight in 1966, and the last of 89 P-2Js was delivered in 1979.

The Wright radial engines were replaced with Japanese-built copies of General Electric T64-IHI-10 turboprop engines, derived from the T64 turboshaft used on the Sikorsky S53 helicopter, with each engine providing 2,125 kW (2,850 HP) and driving three-bladed propellers. The booster turbojets were IHI-J3 engines, an indigenous Japanese design, also used on the Fuji T-1 trainer. Each turbojet provided 13.7 kN (1,400 kgp / 3,085 lbf) thrust. With the new powerplants, the P-2J had a top speed of almost 650 KPH (403 MPH). "

Here's a picture of a turboprop version of the aircraft




Hope this helps. 

[McColm]

Yes it does,
Thanks

[chrisonord]

I did have a book of the Kawasaki Neptune, not sure where it is though as I have moved several times since I last saw it. It covers everything there is to know about the aircraft and has lots of detailed pictures in it. Oh, and it's in Japanese.
Chris

[PR19_Kit]

I wonder if Lockheed thought of using turboprops on the Neptune as an option?

I haven't seen anything along those lines.  One of the challenges would be matching the fuel efficiency of the R3350 Turbo-Compounds.  The P-2J took a considerable range hit with the T64s.

But perhaps the JMSDF didn't need such a massive range, Japan having quite a small coastline compared to the USA?

[McColm]

It's probably the same idea as the RAF ordering the P-8. Doesn't have the same range as the Nimrod, so they'll ask the Russians to sail a bit closer so they can detect them.

[McColm]

A pair of Rolls-Royce Griffon engines would work well on the Neptune, although prices for the 1/72 Neptune are starting to rise in the secondhand market.

[McColm]

Maybe a pair of Rolls-Royce Tyne engines might have worked out better on the Neptune.