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LOCKHEED NEPTUNE (P2V-7) (SP-2H)


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THE NEPTUNE P2V-7/SP-2H IN SERVICE WITH THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS NAVY:

NAS=Naval Air Station

NAF=Naval Air facility

RNLN=Royal Netherlands Navy

MLD= Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (Naval Air Arm/ Royal Netherlands Navy)

On the 21 off august 1961, it was decided by the Dutch Ministry of Defense that the Royal Netherlands Navy was to acquire 15 Lockheed Neptunes air frames type P2V-7B. These aircraft were to be numbered 200/214.

The reason for this acquisition was a large conflict with Indonesia over the Dutch colony Papua New Guinea. To strengthen the presence of the Dutch armed Forces in the region, the choice fell on the Lockheed Neptune. These aircraft were to be armed in the nose section with four Hispano 20mm machine guns.

Eventually eleven aircraft were flown from Lockheed Burbank to Naval Air station Biak in Netherlands New Guinea. The chosen route was: Burbank-NAS Alameda-NAS barbers Point-NAF Kwajalein to Biak, a flight from more than 6000 miles. They were to form Squadron 321.

Four Neptunes (209-210-211-2120) were flown directly from the factory to the Netherlands for crew training and evaluation.

Neptune registration number 200, crashed on the 11th of May 1962 at the airport of Mokmer, after fire in the starboard jet-engine. On landing, it lost all hydraulic pressure and ended in a ditch. It was written off.

In august 1962, the conflict came to an end. In that same year the Neptunes flew back from NAS Biak via Tan-Son-Nhut-Katunayake-Karachi-Basra-Athens and finally to NAS Valkenburg. Only ten aircraft were to return.

After the return to the Netherlands, the strength was fourteen aircraft. All were posted to the 320 squadron at NAS Valkenburg.

Eventually, the machine guns in the nose were removed and replaced by the transparent nose section and after further anti submarine modifications renamed SP-2H.

On the 23 of January 1965, Neptune (212) crashed in the North Sea. It was then decided to increase the squadron with four ex- French Navy Neptune aircraft. These were numbered 215/218.

To note: Is that the 212 was “hijacked” by two aircraft mechanics. After take-off from the runway at Naval Air Station Valkenburg, the 212 crashed in the North Sea. Both mechanics lost their lives. The Navy lost a very precious airframe.

After this incident, you were shot without any questions if you got near the parked Neptunes.

Taking part in many military exercises and patrolling the oceans in the cold war period

In 1982, the last operational Neptunes were phased out and replaced by the P-3 Lockheed Orion.

For thirty years, this beautiful aircraft did sterling service for the RNLN.The specific sound of the Wright R-3350 18 cil, accompanied by the Westinghouse J34-WE jet engines were over.

j3rNZu1N675TW.jpg

LONG RANGE MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT (LRMPA)

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THE COCKPIT ACCESS PANEL IN OPENED POSITION, FOR A BETTER VIEUW IN THE "OFFICE". NOTE ACCESS LADDER

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"THE OFFICE"

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THE EDUARD BOMB BAY. ALWAYS OPEN AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS SHUT DOWN.

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FRONTAL VIEUW OF THIS BEAUTIFUL AIRCRAFT.

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NETHERLANDS NAVY STENCILS AND THE ROUNDELS. (EXCELLENT DECALS IN THE REVELL BOX)

IF ANY QUESTIONS ARISE, JUST SHOOT.

FOR MORE PICTURES SEE " THE AIRLINERS NET "

SEE ALSO THE GROUP BUILD OF THE NEPTUNES IN "WORK IN PROGRESS"

REGARDS FROM THE NETHERLANDS,

ORION.-

Edited by Orion
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That is bloody lovely,.....good job! I`ve always had a soft spot for the Dutch flown Neptune`s and Dutch military aircraft in general.

Cheers

Tony

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Dear Modelers,

Thanks for the nice remarks.

I saw that some of the pics got missing along the way. Is corrected.

Regards,

Orion

The Netherlands.

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Dear Modelers,

Thanks for the kind words regarding the Lockheed Neptune.

The next one will be from the Canadian Airforce Maritime Command with the Canuck Decals.

Highest regards,

Orion

The Netherlands.

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