P-2 (P2V), RB-69, CP-122, and Neptune MR.1

[Archangel]

During the Vietnam war the Navy used modified P2V7 Neptunes as ground attack or bombers,not sure which but they were armed pretty well as opposed to their ASW variant. I was wondering what it would have been like had the USAF used modified P2V neptunes instead of the A/B-26 Invader. Paint it in SEA on top and flat black underneath, remove the ASW hardware and make changes to the bomb bay.


http://upload.cnd.org/uploads/dir2/aircraft_as12.jpg

http://www.gruppomodellisticoariete.it/Mos...ssifica/334.jpg

[Maverick]

Funnily enough, the USAF did use the Neptune, altho not the AP-2H.  It was called the RB-69A and was developed I believe for recon missions over Vietnam.  The US Army also used them for similar missions.

Mav

[Jschmus]

Funnily enough, the USAF did use the Neptune, altho not the AP-2H.  It was called the RB-69A and was developed I believe for recon missions over Vietnam.  The US Army also used them for similar missions.

Mav

The "RB-69" was actually a CIA intel-gathering platform.  The Air Force markings and designation were just cover.

[Maverick]

Ah J, of course, the CIA, forgot about that one...

[Captain Canada]

Is that model ever nice ! The Neptune is a classic bird in need of some whiffing. I've got three in the stash, but haven't the heart to chop one up for it !

 

[Bryan H.]

A modernized AP-2x (complimenting modernized P-2x's & EP-2x's) would be great.  First, they'd need new engines - AE2100s with the 6-blade Dowdy props (or something similar) and JT15D or J85 (or some other relatively light & compact jet engines).  Second, they'd need the updated cockpit & avionics.  They'd need a modern electronic sensor suite (FLIR, laser rangefinding & targeting, etc...) and ECM & IRCM.  Third, they'd need updated weapons.  The tail guns could be replaced with 30mm Bushmaster cannon(s) and the belly turret could have a .50 cal GECAL/40mm grenade launcher combo.  I'd want to keep part of the bomb bay free for bombs or additional fuel.  The wing pylons could carry LGB's, 'dumb' bombs, rockets, gunpods, cluster bombs, Hellfire & Maverick missiles and self-defense AAM's.

Bryan

[elmayerle]

Sounds like a cross between an AP-2H and a Japanese P2V-7, or the version thereof with turboprop engines, with modernized engines.

[dy031101]

ROCAF's Black Bat flew photo reconnaissance version of P-2 for CIA.

What would have happened if ROCAF acquired P-2 instead of S-2 for ASW duties as well (IIRC, the Black Bats flew reconnaissance P-3s for CIA as well, which makes me wonder if both P-2 and P-3 off-limits to ROCAF and, if they were, if it was because of CIA......)?

[kitnut617]

You can buy this conversion which changes the piston engine to turbo-props:

http://www.coopersmodels.com/catalog/item/5762418/5633641.htm

[famvburg]

      I've seen a drawing of a P-2 fire bomber, proposed by Hawkins & Powers, IIRC, converted to turbo prop using engines & props from Orions.

A modernized AP-2x (complimenting modernized P-2x's & EP-2x's) would be great.  First, they'd need new engines - AE2100s with the 6-blade Dowdy props (or something similar) and JT15D or J85 (or some other relatively light & compact jet engines).  Second, they'd need the updated cockpit & avionics.  They'd need a modern electronic sensor suite (FLIR, laser rangefinding & targeting, etc...) and ECM & IRCM.  Third, they'd need updated weapons.  The tail guns could be replaced with 30mm Bushmaster cannon(s) and the belly turret could have a .50 cal GECAL/40mm grenade launcher combo.  I'd want to keep part of the bomb bay free for bombs or additional fuel.  The wing pylons could carry LGB's, 'dumb' bombs, rockets, gunpods, cluster bombs, Hellfire & Maverick missiles and self-defense AAM's.

I like the six blade propeller idea but only if you lose the podded auxiliary jet engines. 

Maybe a kit bashing with the Italeri B-57G "Tropic Moon" to get the LLTV and FLIR fairings to mount under the forward fuselage?  That kit also gives you several LASER guided bombs which would could also be put to use on the improved Neptune.   

Sounds like a cross between an AP-2H and a Japanese P2V-7, or the version thereof with turboprop engines, with modernized engines.

Yes indeed, I do like the idea of mating the six blade propellers and engine cowlings from a C-130J to the P-2.  With that increase in available power, maybe it can finally lose the auxilliary jet engines.   

Since Revell of Germany has now released the Atlantic in 1/72nd scale, how much fuss would there be if you were to take the Tyne cowlings and propellers from the Atlantic and mate them up with the P-2?  Might be an interesting WHIF, provided you can afford to kit bash the two kits. 

[famvburg]

      I built an "AB-69" a couple of years ago. I'll have to take a pic. I can't get the first link to load, so I don't know what it is, but that AP-2 model in the 2nd link is nice.

During the Vietnam war the Navy used modified P2V7 Neptunes as ground attack or bombers,not sure which but they were armed pretty well as opposed to their ASW variant. I was wondering what it would have been like had the USAF used modified P2V neptunes instead of the A/B-26 Invader. Paint it in SEA on top and flat black underneath, remove the ASW hardware and make changes to the bomb bay.


http://upload.cnd.org/uploads/dir2/aircraft_as12.jpg

http://www.gruppomodellisticoariete.it/Mos...ssifica/334.jpg

[Daryl J.]

FWIW, HLJ has the Hasegawa Neptune at a very reasonable price in the sale section.

Mods, if this post is not appropriate, I'll be happy to delete it as policy on this matter is unbeknownst to me........


HTH someone whiff a Neptune. 
Daryl J.

[rallymodeller]

I was playing around a couple of weeks ago and came up with this:


T56-powered, Hamilton-Standard props.

It's also worth showing this one again, I think...


USCG HP-2L Neptune, CGAS Port Angeles, 1977

[GTX]

Love the T-56 variant!

Regards,

Greg

[rallymodeller]

I actually used the tail from a P-2V-Kai for my T56-powered one.