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United States' Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon bomber1,2
Vega Model 152
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon bomber:
Design
The Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon was a descendent of the Ventura.2 The Harpoon was also the last twin finned Lockheed aircraft.2 Lockheed called it the Vega Model 15.2
Wings
The wings were wider and could carry more fuel.2
Armament
There was more armament.2
The bomb bay was larger.2
Tail
The fins and rudders were larger.2 The tail plane was redesigned.2
Prototype
The first PV-2 flew on December 3, 1943.2
Production
The United States Navy ordered 500 in June 1943.2 Deliveries started in March 1944.2 Production lasted until 1945.2
- PV-2: 5002
- PV-2D: 352
- Total: 5352
Variants
- PV-2:
- PV-2C: The first 30 Harpoons were recalled as they had skin wrinkling and fuel tank leaks.2 These were turned into trainers.2
- PV-2D: Eight 0.5" MGs in nose.2 Orders were cancelled after VJ Day.2
- PV-2T: Trainer.2 Unarmed.2
Usage
The United States Navy used the Harpoons mostly in the Pacific attacking ships and ground targets.2
Post World War II
Many of the Harpoons were used in eleven United States Navy Reserve Units.2
Surplus Harpoons were supplied to Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, and Portugal.2
| Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon1,2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Maritime patrol1 Patrol bomber2 |
| Crew | 4 or 51,2 Pilot, navigator / bomb aimer, radio operator / gunner, turret gunner1 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp1 2: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-312 |
| Cylinders | Radial 182 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 2,000 each1,2 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 75'2 22.86 m2 |
| Length | 52'2 15.85 m2 |
| Height | 13' 3"2 4.04 m2 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 21,028 lb2 9,538 kg2 |
| Loaded | 36,000 lb2 16,330 kg2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed at sea level | 271 mph2 436 kph2 |
| Speed @ 13,700' / 4,175 m |
282 mph2 454 kph2 |
| Cruising speed | 171 mph2 275 kph2 |
| Climb | 1,630'/minute2 497 m/minute2 |
| Service ceiling | 23,900'2 7,285 m2 |
| Range | 1,790 miles2 2,880 km2 |
| Maximum range | 2,930 miles2 4,715 km2 |
| Armament | |
| Nose | 5: 0.5" MG2 2: 12.7 mm MG1 |
| Dorsal turret | 2: 0.5" MG2 2: 12.7 mm MG1 |
| Ventral position | 2: 0.5" MG2 1: 12.7 mm MG1 |
| Under nose | 3: 12.7 mm MG1 |
| Bomb-bay - bombs | 3,990 lb1, 4,000 lb2 1,814 kg2, 1,816 kg1 |
| OR | |
| Torpedo | 1: 1,800 lb2 1: 816 kg2 |
| Under wings | 2,000 lb2 907 kg2 8: 127 mm high velocity aerial rockets (HVAR)1 2: 150 gallon drop tanks1 2: 587 liter drop tanks1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
