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

[Jschmus]

Just so you all know, the record-setting "Truculent Turtle" was officially moved into Hangar Bay One at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola yesterday, and will be available for public viewing tomorrow.

http://p2vneptune.com/turtle.shtml

[McColm]

$72 is still a bit pricey over in the UK. Looks like that old E-2B Hawkeye kit will have to be used. The rotodome was intended for my Atlantic MK1 or though it could be used on my BAe Nimrod.
The engines can be donated to my Neptune, four prop instead of three on the Japanese model.

[Weaver]

What about adding contra-rotating props taken from the Avro Shackleton or Ganet for a RAF version. They flew them between 1952 and 1957 whilst waiting for the Shackleton, I think they even tried an AEW version.

How about a British upgrade version with AS Python turboprops? The fact that I've got a Revell Neptune and two Aeroclub Wyvern prop sets in the stash having no impact on the choice ofengine, of course....

[PR19_Kit]

How about a British upgrade version with AS Python turboprops? The fact that I've got a Revell Neptune and two Aeroclub Wyvern prop sets in the stash having no impact on the choice ofengine, of course....

That sounds a great idea, but won't you need two Frog Wyverns to build the engine pods from? That circular intake for the Python would be a bitch to scratchbuild I bet. Well it would be for me anyway. 

[The Big Gimper]

Wolfpack Decals did a set for the OP-2E.  As noted earlier, you need the Falcon Vacuform kit with the -5 fuselage to build it.

http://www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk/TRAIL-INTERDICTORS-72012_AMFMU.aspx?0

[rickshaw]

Wasn't aware that Revell did a Neptune.  Is it a mould of their own or just a reboxed Hasegawa kit?

[The Big Gimper]

Wasn't aware that Revell did a Neptune.  Is it a mould of their own or just a reboxed Hasegawa kit?

I have both kits. I'll pull them out the stash pile and let you know.

They are the same mold/kit. The Revell decals are far superior to the Hasegawa (my kit is the original release - 1970s). The newer release has updated decals.

I purchased both from Ebay. $15 for the Revell and $22 for the Hasegawa.

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/has/kit_has_00897.shtml
http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/korean/us/hammp2v.htm
http://hyperscale.com/features/2002/neptuneda_1.htm

[McColm]

Thanks,
some very interesting ideas.

[Weaver]

How about a British upgrade version with AS Python turboprops? The fact that I've got a Revell Neptune and two Aeroclub Wyvern prop sets in the stash having no impact on the choice ofengine, of course....

That sounds a great idea, but won't you need two Frog Wyverns to build the engine pods from? That circular intake for the Python would be a bitch to scratchbuild I bet. Well it would be for me anyway. 

Actually, the Wyvern spinner is almost exactly the same size as the hole in the front of the Neptune's cowling, so you could get away with either cutting it back or fitting separate intake(s) on the top/bottom/sides and then blanking the cooling outlets at the back. The Wyvern nose is a pretty good fit though.....

[famvburg]

     Is there some reason the Python HAS to use that c/r prop assembly? Even if so, necessarily that spinner?

How about a British upgrade version with AS Python turboprops? The fact that I've got a Revell Neptune and two Aeroclub Wyvern prop sets in the stash having no impact on the choice ofengine, of course....

That sounds a great idea, but won't you need two Frog Wyverns to build the engine pods from? That circular intake for the Python would be a bitch to scratchbuild I bet. Well it would be for me anyway. 

Actually, the Wyvern spinner is almost exactly the same size as the hole in the front of the Neptune's cowling, so you could get away with either cutting it back or fitting separate intake(s) on the top/bottom/sides and then blanking the cooling outlets at the back. The Wyvern nose is a pretty good fit though.....

[Weaver]

Well if you don't, how would you know it's a Python? 

The Python had a reverse flow layout with the engine's air intake around the back end, so I think you could have lot of flexibility in how the airframe intakes worked.

[Weaver]

The Revell kit is a P2V-7, with fairly basic interior detail, if that helps anyone.

[jcf]

Well if you don't, how would you know it's a Python? 

It's wearing a dress and speaking in falsetto? 

[kitnut617]

One thing to keep in mind is that the Python is a dirty great big engine.  I've got a plan to do a Manchester II using a pair of them but my thinking it to have the nacelles like a HP Herald, that is an intake on the fuselage side of the nacelles with the u/c retracting in behind it and offset to the inside of the nacelle.  The rear of the engine and exhaust would travel back down the outer side of the nacelle.

In the pics below, this is the nacelle as it was mounted to the Lancaster FTB, the engine is practically the same size as the nacelle and the exhaust is very short.

[kitnut617]

     Is there some reason the Python HAS to use that c/r prop assembly? Even if so, necessarily that spinner?

The props are quite small in diameter for the power of the engine (in the region of 5000 hp) so the contra-prop was used to absorb the power, otherwise you'd need a much bigger diameter single prop.  The spinner's shape blended it over the engine casing's cowling