Symphony of Piston and Jet Engines: Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune Test Flight

This Neptune 273 (an SP-2H/P2V-7 ) served with the RAAF at No 10 Squadron until retired in 1977. It is immaculately stored in HARS Aviation Museum, Shellharbour Airport, Australia, with an airworthy status. In fact, as of 31/12/2023, it is the only airworthy example globally.

The Lockheed Neptune was the first aircraft designed for long range, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare tasks. Beginning with the P2V-5F model, the Neptune became one of the first operational aircraft fitted with both piston and jet engines.

The two piston engines are fired up initially. In contrast, the two jet engines won't start until the aircraft has arrived at the threshold of the takeoff runway, just to save fuel as jet engines are thirsty beasts for fuel.

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Detailed Aircraft History (from HARS website)
"P2V-7 Neptune A89-273 (later designated SP-2H) was built at Lockheed’s Burbank plant in California, USA. The manufacturers serial number was No. 7273. Bauer No. 149,073, being delivered to the RAAF and arriving in Townsville on the 10 March 1962.

It was allocated to 10 Squadron, which then operated out of Townsville, as an Anti-Submarine Reconnaissance aircraft, and was one of a total of 24 Neptunes operated by RAAF 10 and 11 Squadrons. It served with 10 Squadron from March 1962 until being retired from RAAF service in May 1977 when it was placed in storage at Townsville awaiting disposal. During its years of service A89-273 logged a total of 5476 flying hours.

Long after the aircraft was de-commissioned it was acquired from a private owner in Townsville by members of the Society, interestingly enough on 1st April 1988.

Since its total restoration over 10 years ago, this aircraft has been on the Air Show circuit thrilling audiences with an imaginative flying routine. In November 1996, the Society commenced an extensive maintenance program on Neptune A89-273 from nose to tail, culminating in the aircraft being declared airworthy again in January 1998. All maintenance was carried out by our own engineering team.

In November 1999, the Society had great pride in returning 273 back to its old squadron at Edinburgh Air Force Base in South Australia to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the formation of 10 Squadron in 1939. Edinburgh is now the home base for this squadron. Neptune A89-273 VH-IOY is the only former RAAF Lockheed Neptune flying in Australia and is maintained, operated and crewed by members of HARS who maintain a high degree of maintenance and safety, and continually strive to maintain the aircraft in immaculate condition. With large amounts of spare parts and engines available it is anticipated that Neptune A89-273 will continue to be maintained in a flying condition and appearing at air shows throughout Australia for many years to come."

[DrBearAviation]

Jet engines did run for takeoff. If in doubt, please have a close look of the engine inlets at 06:09. These old jet engines are thirsty for fuel and, as a consequence, the two jet engines were not fired up until the plane was at runway. The red cover we see at the engine inlet will collapse/fold inwards when engine is running. The red cover is part of the engine structure and is not the ordinary removable engine cover. It will be extended to block the inlet, in most scenarios, when the engine is not running to avoid the drag associated with windmilling.

[tolson]

My father was an IFT (In Flight Tech) on P2Vs when I was born at NAS Whidbey Island. He transitioned to P3s and retired after 31.5 years. I went into the family business and spent 20 years in the Navy working on Fire Control and Avionics for the F-14A, E-2C, S-3B, A-6E, A-7E, and FA-18A. It was a great job!

[ohwell]

When I was a child in the 1950's this was one of my favorite plastic models. Very purpose built airplane and just looked right. 80 now but remember it well.

[lacfilms]

My Dad- flew one back in the late 50's till 1967, out of Pax River in southern Maryland. I think it was before this one without the Jet engines.
He went to many places around the world when I was very young. He would always bring something back home from his travel locations.
A fine tea set for my mom from Japan, Rum & Chivas Regal from Jamaica, a picture of him meeting the Sultan of Morocco.

Back during the Cuban Missile crisis- he flew out of Key West & Pensacola Fla airbases in the Neptune. The VP-661 was active for many
years. He once fly over my head- when I was young at the family beach cottage near Brooms Island, MD and waggled the wings at us.

Many thanks for posting this, brings back some great memories of my Dad- Lt. Cmd. Frank E. Warner resting peacefully now in Arlington National
Cemetary.

of him

[flewnvy]

Absolutely stunning video and audio. My late father flew the Neptune in Vietnam. I grew up a Navy brat and followed in his footsteps and was a P-3 NFO. 23 year career. I will always remember my dad’s stories about the P-2 and still think the Neptune was one of the most graceful aircraft ever designed by Lockheed (after the Constellation of course). What a machine. Thank you for the memories of my dad and his plane.

[scottnj]

There's nothing like sight, smell and sound of a big aviation radial engine(s). I flew in P-3s with many fellows that flew in P-2s. Ahhh the sea stories. Thanks for this video and sound.

[keithbrown]

What a gorgeous and rare relic! I was C-130 aircrew and knew guys that flew P-3s. Lockheed has made some outstanding airplanes over the decades, but I haven't seen this one since I was a kid. Awesome! 👍👍

[jonathanrice]

I’ve always wondered how the jet engines sounded. You captured it perfectly. Thank you.

[signorpippistrello]

The combined sound of radials and jets is too good!

[DebOxy]

Brilliant to see her back in the air. Your video close ups are spot on.
New subscriber. I work on the Seafury at HARS.

[WAL_DC-B]

I have all the respect for anyone who can rebuild and maintain the Wright R-3350 radial, piston engine which powers this P2V-7. It was somewhat of a temperamental beast and had to be operated "by the numbers." Otherwise, a powerful aircraft engine. Wonderful video and thanks for sharing!

[aaaht]

Beautiful aircraft. Great lines. Love the paint scheme.

[ScottSillis]

I got to tour three of these aircraft when I served including this tail number at RAAF Townsville from memory before being sold to a private collector.
The wing goes through the fuselage, jet engine assisted take-off capabilities.
Beautiful aircraft, relatively low hours on that one too. Thanks for sharing!

[alanhua]

Outstanding filming works. Awesome, such smooth zooming.

[robertweldon]

1/6/2024
While serving in the US Navy at North Island Air Station, in San Diego (VS41 {S2's} 1967-1969), there was a squadron of P2V's assigned there. I don't recall the squadron number. The P2's were at the end of their service life and so there were many times that one would come in with a prop engine shut down and the jets running.
The old birds just looked tired to me, painted a drab Navy gray.
The P2's had replaced the P5, and were replaced by the P3, and now the P7. The last P5 to fly made its last flight out of North Island, on it way to the museum, I got to see it leave. It is now at the Naval Air museum in Pensacola, Fla. I think they also have a P2.
It is nice to see a P2V looking bright and new, and running like new too. Great job restoring the old bird. ;-)

[texleeger]

My Naval aviator uncle, then a Lieutenant Commander, flew these out of the now sadly abandoned Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine in the early 1960s. His patrols took him out over the North Atalantic in a search for Soviet submarines. I do recall two great thrills he provided. He took my brother and me to the flight line and let us view the cockpit (not sure how kosher that was but my uncle was never one for Navy regulations). The second was his always saving in flight ration packs for us kids. My fav was the canned bread although I think Navy personnel were not at all enamored with that "treat". To this day I have a fondness for these P2Vs and I wish more were still in the skies.
PS Brunswick NAS later converted to the P-3 Orions and I recall them flying deep into Maine on training runs. And, yes, I miss those lumbering beasts (one knew they were in area skies because of the deep rumbling drone they produced} very much. More recently, as I drove along the Maine Turnpike earlier this year, a P-8 Poseidon lept off the Portland (PDX) runway over the hood of my car. What a thrill. To this day I do not know why this patrol aircraft was at the International Airoport, but I do assume it was operated by the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One based in Maryland.

[leighthetwinotterflyerjone]

Nice. 2 Turning and 2 Burning. Great video

[drunkn_mnk]

We have one of these in the heritage park here at NAS JAX along with an S-2 and S-3 among a bunch of other aircraft. They flew them out of here until '71.

[XRQ]

I was a Radio Operator/IFT on E-P3s out of Guam. We had a Detachment at NAF Atsugi, Japan. There, our ramp was next to a Japanese P-2V squadron. I used to stroll down and marvel at their immaculately cared-for aircraft. They weren't the dirty birds like ours since we flew a lot more than them. They must have flown with white flight gloves - the interiors looked spit-shined. Sure would've loved a ride in one of those P-2s!

[otis]

Those things used to rattle the dishes in the cabinet when they flew over. Always Loved it. Great aircraft.