In 1954, under Project Cherry, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) obtained five, newly built P2V-7 and converted them into P2V-7U/RB-69A variants by Lockheed's Skunk Works at Hangar B5 in Burbank, California for the CIA's own private fleet of covert ELINT/ferret aircraft. Later, to make up for P2V-7U/RB-69A operational losses, the CIA ...

May 18, 2018 · “It” is the Lockheed P2V Neptune patrol bomber, and that opinion comes from Russell Strine, who flies the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s fully restored P2V-7 (which is currently inactive, since airshows can no longer afford the amount of fuel it burns).

May 19, 2019 · Long-range maritime reconnaissance bomber. Two 2,611 kw (3,500 hp) Wright R-3350-32W two-row eighteen-cylinder turbo-compound air-cooled radial engines; and two 3,800 lb st Westinghouse J-34-WE-34 turbojets.

6 days ago · 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 Lockheed Model 726, the P2V-7, 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.

Lockheed P2V-7 (SP-2H) Neptune Design of the Neptune began during World War II to meet the U.S. Navy’s requirement for a large land-based patrol plane. The aircraft’s first flight took place in May 1945 and despite the end of the war in August development of the Neptune continued with deliveries beginning in late 1946.

The addition of the MAD stinger, first on the P2V-5, and the deletion of guns and the top turret, as the subs went nuclear, brought the Neptune to its final major configuration, the P2V-7, which was flown first on April 26, 1954. This last model was to remain in service for more than 20 years.

Technical data for P2V-7: 287 units produced. The P2V Neptune has 2 piston engines and 2 turbojet engines. Maximum speed with 4 engines: 350 knots (403 mph, 649 km/h).

The P2V-7 was the first Neptune to have J34 turbojet engines fitted on the production line, as opposed to retrofitted in the field. The P2V-7 had a distinctive enlarged canopy with a better all-round view, and a longer fuselage.

NARRATIVE The Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune was the last and most sophisticated derivative of the P2V models built for the U.S. Navy for a primary mission of anti-submarine warfare and a secondary mission of mining.